Brandeis Book Club: Yaa Gyasi, "Homegoing" (2016)
Brandeis faculty and staff are invited to join in a discussion of Ghanaian-American author Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel Homegoing (2016), co-hosted with the Brandeis Book Club. Homegoing is a historical novel that follows the descendants of two half-sisters from 18th century Ghana who were torn apart by the slave trade. As described by NPR:
Two half sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into the Fante and Asante tribes of 18th century Ghana. The book follows their families, with successive chapters mining stories from each lineage. Effia’s descendants remain in Africa, warring and intermarrying with members of different tribes. Esi is enslaved by an American planter. The contrapuntal lives of the African and African-American progeny shape the novel’s compelling narrative arc; in the end, it is the Ghana-born Gyasi who so artfully accomplishes her own home-going.
The book’s themes resonate deeply with collection works on view in the Rose’s galleries, in particular Radcliffe Bailey’s Storm at Sea (2007). The conversation will focus on connections and parallels between Gyasi and Bailey’s works.
Space for this event, open to Brandeis faculty and staff, is limited. If you are interested in attending, please email Caitlin Rubin, Associate Curator and Director of Programs, to reserve a spot.
ABOUT THE BRANDEIS BOOK CLUB
Open to staff and faculty, the Brandeis Book Club meets every six weeks for lively conversations about books of various genres. If you are interested in joining, please email Stacey Winkler, Assistant Director, Corporate and Foundation Relations.