A Community Reading of Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing

“The family is like the forest: if you are outside it is dense; if you are inside you see that each tree has its own position.” - Akan Proverb

Hey Cousins,

Sending thanks those of you who have been rocking with me on this journey. For all of those whom have just started following, Afro•Reads is a publication dedicated to reviewing books in Africa and within the Afro Diaspora.

I challenged myself this year to read one book from each African country, that means I will review 54 books, 54 authors, and learn numerous cultures, histories, and languages.

So, my book of choice for Ghana, is Homegoing because I believe it can be a reflective community read for the African community and African American community. Here, we will discuss what came before, what was loss, and how do we move on after acknowledging a loss of our culture, mother tongue, and the similarities we see within the two communities.

This is a multigenerational novel following the lives of two sisters who have different fates. We learn about their descendants, the ones who suffer at the unfortunate hands of enslavers and those who stayed back in Ghana.

This is the tentative reading schedule, it is subject to change. I want us to enjoy this novel as a collective and that means we’re not rushing!

This is my first time hosting a community reading and if anyone has any questions or suggestions please feel free to reach out!!

July 1st-8th:

1. Effia: Ghana – 18th Century, Fanteland

2. Esi: Ghana – 18th Century, Asante village

July 9th-14:

1. Quey (Effia’s Son): Ghana – 19th Century, Cape Coast & England

2. Ness (Esi’s Daughter): United States – Early 19th Century, Southern Plantation

3. James (Quey’s son): Ghana – Late 19th Century, Asante Territory & Kumasi

4. Kojo: (Ness’ Son ): United States – Mid 19th Century, Baltimore

I will see how far we have gotten before I add more dates along with a potential Zoom Meeting to discuss the book at the halfway point.

— See you all July 1st 😎 —