Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle’s dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast’s booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in the palatial rooms of Cape Coast Castle. Written with tremendous sweep and power, Homegoing traces the generations of family who follow, as their destinies lead them through two continents and three hundred years of history, each life indeliably drawn, as the legacy of slavery is fully revealed in light of the present day.Įffia and Esi are born into different villages in eighteenth-century Ghana. T he unforgettable New York Times best seller begins with the story of two half-sisters, separated by forces beyond their control: one sold into slavery, the other married to a British slaver. The best audiobook I listened to this year was Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. Today I have my last two reviews of books I read in 2016 that will be making my year end best list Oh well, for now, these will more than suffice.

Now if only we could have a second book by these talented women. They are 'new to them,' and that is all that matters.Ĭlick here or see below for my more details reviews of these amazing 2016 debut novels. These books are still, 3 years later, great reads and chances are more of your patrons than not haven't read them. Currently, I am suggesting The Mothers to people who like Jodi Picoult type stories of families with issues.Īnds Homegoing is a title I give to Historical Fiction fans of all stripes, but especially those who like the wide time span a saga brings, but don't want to 800 page count. I have found both of these titles to be sure bet options for a wide range of readers. When I pulled up my review of the book I found it is paired with another title I suggest all of the time too- Homegoing by Yah Gyasi. Recently, I have fund myself suggesting The Mothers by Brit Bennett everywhere I go.

If they were award winning and popular 2-5 years ago, they are probably not currently checked out and also aren't weeded yet.īut I don't just talk about suggesting backlist titles, I practice it. This is because those titles will probably still be in the library. When I talk about using the the backlist as your BEST resource for suggestions to patrons, I often remind you that the 'sweet spot' are titles that are 2-5 years old.

Homegoing cliff notes