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Homegoing

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Homegoing

By: Yaa Gyasi
Narrated by: Dominic Hoffman
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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

Would you listen to Homegoing again? Why?

Yes. It was a fantastic , well thought out and well narrated novel. I felt like I was being read a history lesson on many levels containing both personal and national events. So well written and narrated. A fantastic well executed idea. Made me want to research my history further and take my children to Ghana.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Homegoing?

Without spoiling the book I thought the ending was perfect. Not expected but the only way it could have ended.

Have you listened to any of Dominic Hoffman’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No. First but thought he was brilliant and handled most accents with ease.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes. The book made me smile and cry.

Any additional comments?

I'm sure this book will become a classic and can't wait for more from the author.

One of the best book I have ever read

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Wow, what a beautiful book.

This was like the tree roots of the two sister growing up through the trunk and branches of the subsequent generations each telling their own individual stories.

I will give no spoilers, as it’s a truly remarkable book that needs to be heard and savoured.

This book is the beauty of audible, the narrator who can immerse me in the psyche of these African and Afro-American people. Full praise goes to Dominic Hoffman who breathes life into these extraordinary people.

Listen and enjoy.

African roots that ground the generation

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Whether you are from the motherland or a child of the diaspora, this tale of fiction could be truth for most if not all of us. As first generation Black British from the wind-rush generation, I have researched colonialism of the West Indian countries particularly Trinidad and Barbados, from childhood knowing my ancestors live and breath through me still, seeking to heal their hurt and trauma from the plantations. The one thing that’s almost impossible to really know, are the relationships and love stories that are woven into the fabric of my DNA. I absolutely loved the way Yaa kept this going throughout time, though at times I needed to refer to the family tree at the front of the actual book that I read alongside as well as independently at times, as it was difficult at times to keep track of who was who and where she was going with the new storyline. Equally that spoilt it a bit as you worked out who begat who before their love story was complete. I saw myself in every single character throughout the ages as the change of vernacular brought out the realism of the characters location, time period and plight. Thank you Audible for allowing me access (as a dyslexic) to this book, Dominic Hoffman for such transporting narrating and to my sister, Yaa Gypsi for speaking on behalf of our ancestors and sharing their love stories with the world. I knew the sisters bloodlines would find each other.....I certainly felt by the end a homegoing. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

What an amazing amalgamation of words that speaks to the very essence of every black person on the planet.

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I've given this book 4 stars rather than 5, purely because I found it hard to keep up with who was who, and it was sometimes confusing trying to figure out who the descendant in each section was.

However, it was a beautiful book. Really thought-provoking, challenging, and hard to listen to at points. I felt it really brings home how recent slavery was - just 7 or 8 generations ago. Some of the stories I would have loved to have been longer.

I've read a lot of books recently to help me further understand current race relations and this was one of the best so far. Although it's based on fictional characters, you know it contained so much truth. I was amazed by the character's will to keep on living - their hope, strength, and love which pulled them through. This book impacted both my emotions and my brain, It wasn't all doom and gloom though which I also really appreciated. It was balanced and hopeful in the right parts.

Essentially a set of short stories

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I loved this! It's a BIG story which will make you think about your own family, their history and story telling. Although I've just finished it, I know I will read it again and again. It was wonderfully narrated, the best I've heard. Highly recommended.

Absolutely amazing!

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