Homegoing By Yaa Gyasi: Summary

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi follows the lives of half-sisters, Effia and Esi, born unknown to one another in 18th-century West Africa. Bound by blood, children of the two are destined to reunite, and Gyasi illustrates the story of the different lives the sisters and their descendants lead. Effia is born on the night of a terrible fire and thought to be cursed, for this reason, her “mother” abuses her and forbids her from marrying any of the Fante people. When Effia reaches the age to be married, she is given away to a slave trade leader of a nearby British colony rather than being married off to the new tribe leader. She is brought there as a bride, therefore she does not face the harsh lives the slaves who are trapped in dungeons below awaiting transit to the Americas. Unbeknownst to Effia below in the dungeons is her half-sister, Esi, who was captured and is being prepared to be sold into a life of slavery. While she is being kept in the dungeon she is raped by one of the guards and gives birth to a baby girl, Ness, who is condemned to a life of slavery.

He becomes involved with a raid on the Asanteland, and out fear for the protection of the Fante people, he is forced to marry the Asanteland’s leader's daughter, against both their wishes. Their unhappy marriage leads to a child named James, who is put in charge of Quey’s post in the slave trade. Disenchanted by his parent's ugly marriage and his distaste towards the slave trade, prompts him to run away with an Asante woman, and become a farmer. Together they have a daughter, Abena, who is raised without any knowledge of her ancestors due to James’ shame. Abena blames her parents past for her lack of suitors and flees after being rejected by a lover and gives birth to a daughter,