Homegoing

This book sat on my shelf for far too long waiting for me to appreciate it, so I need to write this review to let you readers know to pick it up immediately.

This is a close up study of the lineage of a family split down the bloodlines of two sisters. So in every second chapter we are going to the next generation and we read a chapter from a member of that generation from each of the sisters bloodlines. This choice made what could have been a very slow book feel lightning fast and gripping.

Gyasi is writing an intimate character study, but not of one person. In Homecoming, the family is the character. I adored this book so much for the characters. They were so real and the emotions in this book (especially towards the end) were really effective because of how closely you are tied to the characters. The story arc is for the family, and when we hit that final chapter and got some emotional resolution I was welling up. It has been a while since a book made me slow down, deliberately savour the story being told and experience every emotion with our characters.

I highly recommend this book. I am so incredibly excited for the new release coming from Gyasi. If you're like me and have had Homegoing sitting unread on your shelf for a few years, prioritise it. It's going to be worth it.