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Homegoing

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Homegoing

By: Yaa Gyasi
Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman
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About this listen

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable, audiobook edition of Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi, read by Dominic Hoffman.

Effia and Esi: two sisters with two very different destinies. One sold into slavery; one a slave trader's wife. The consequences of their fate reverberate through the generations that follow. Taking us from the Gold Coast of Africa to the cotton-picking plantations of Mississippi; from the missionary schools of Ghana to the dive bars of Harlem, spanning three continents and seven generations, Yaa Gyasi has written a miraculous novel - the intimate, gripping story of a brilliantly vivid cast of characters and through their lives the very story of America itself.

Epic in its canvas and intimate in its portraits, Homegoing is a searing and profound debut from a masterly new writer.

 African American Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Africa Destiny Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Tear-jerking

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Critic reviews

This novel boldly pushes the scope and possibilities of what historical fiction can do. Intimate yet expansive . . . one of the many extraordinary achievements of Gyasi's enviable debut is the writer's ability to make all the myriad descendants here - enslaved mothers, carpenters, academics - equally worthy of the reader's sustained engagement and compassion (Michael Donkor)
A tremendous debut
One of the richest, most rewarding reads of 2016
A marvellous novel
Homegoing is a remarkable feat - a novel at once epic and intimate, capturing the moral weight of history as it bears down on individual struggles, hopes and fears. A tremendous debut
All stars
Most relevant
This novel is a beautifully crafted piece of artwork. A colourful tapestry, encompassing the history of seven generations of two strains of the same family. Each of the 14 chapters tells the story of one member of each generation. The characters are wonderfully rounded even though we only know them for a fairly short time. When we return to the next generation however. We do hear a little more of the previous generation, I. E. The parents of the character in question. The two different branches of the family separate but are finally reunited. I cannot say any more than this without giving it away. I did wonder about the title, and this only became evident at the very end of the book. The theme is slavery down the ages and it's after-effects throughout the generations until the present day. It is heartwarming in parts, tragic in others. A very vibrant story! This is certainly one of the most wonderful books I have ever read. I would highly recommend it.

One of the most beautiful books I've ever read

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I absolutely loved the concept of this book. Take two sisters, who are born in two very different circumstances and track their lineage. This story not only takes us through time, but also across different countries. The narrator did a fantastic job of jumping from one accent to another and gave each character its distinctive voice. I kept finding myself tracking back with each chapter to the originating sister, just so I was sure what the relationships were. The story is beautifully told for each character and you get a real sense of the hardships faced by Africans and African Americans. I was totally immersed in that world and was telling everyone I knew to go and get this book, even before I was anywhere near the end.

A journey through generations

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Where does Homegoing rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is by far the most touching story I have read yet. I have learned something on slave trade first hand and how it affected generations of lives across continents.

What did you like best about this story?

How beautifully woven it is. Not easy writing across so many generations. All the changes one goes through with the characters.

What does Dominic Hoffman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Nothing really. I mostly like reading but for an Oyinbo he tried shah. He must be commended for reading the parts of the Fante, Ashante, Twi languages.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me sad, and other times I cried and was frustrated in equal measure.

Beautifully woven- Don't Miss It!!

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Amazing story that pulls you in from page one and doesn't let you go. Wonderfully told, with rich, beautiful characters brought to live in your mind's eye.

Gripping story detailing major historical events which have shaped a lot of different futures. Highly recommended - I won't forget this book in a hurry.

A story that will capture your heart & soul

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This is an amazing book, beautifully written by a gifted writer, who is able to make history visceral and real, by introducing us to a family of characters who are real and compelling. What makes their stories compelling is what also makes them so human, with all of the heartache and failings, beauty and grace that goes with it. Along the way, you start to understand the legacies that have contributed to racial oppression in the modern world. Quite a feat.

An amazing book

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