The
Imani Book Club's reviews of novels sent by authors are honest and
truthful. The reviews are a reflection of the individual member's
thoughts as they pertain to the novel they have read. The opinion of the
Imani Sister may or may not be the opinion of the Imani Book Club as a
whole. We take into account we are receiving review copies, which may
have some typographical and grammatical errors. So know if we review your
novel, the review will be honest and may reflect constructive criticism.
All of this is to help the author produce a wonderful piece of work.
Recommendations to read or not read a book are in reference to the possible
inclusion of the book for the Imani Book Club yearly syllabus only, not to
persuade or deter readers about the books. Cashana
The Imani Book Club prides itself on supporting African-American authors through reviews and exposure on our website. However we are unable to review all books received. We are a small group with limited time and resources. We will try to complete reviews in a timely manner, however, if our timing is inconvenient for the author we will kindly return the book at our convenience. If you have any questions regarding your book, please email us at imanivoices@aol.com. No compensation is made for our reviews except the review book, copy or galley. The Imani Book Club does not review nonfiction or poetry. We thank you for your support and understanding regarding our policy. All books for review may be sent to the following address:
The Imani Book Club
c/o of Cashana
P. O. Box 240063
Montgomery, AL 36124
Book Review Archives are found here: Imanivoices
The Imani Book Club prides itself on supporting African-American authors through reviews and exposure on our website. However we are unable to review all books received. We are a small group with limited time and resources. We will try to complete reviews in a timely manner, however, if our timing is inconvenient for the author we will kindly return the book at our convenience. If you have any questions regarding your book, please email us at imanivoices@aol.com. No compensation is made for our reviews except the review book, copy or galley. The Imani Book Club does not review nonfiction or poetry. We thank you for your support and understanding regarding our policy. All books for review may be sent to the following address:
The Imani Book Club
c/o of Cashana
P. O. Box 240063
Montgomery, AL 36124
Book Review Archives are found here: Imanivoices
Homegoing: A Novel
By Yaa Gyasi
Imani Book Club Rating: 4.5
Sometimes you read a novel and the story will remain with you long after you read the last page. It resonates completely within your soul. For me, the best novels come from new ways of telling or from new and upcoming authors or from a genre I am unfamiliar with reading. Then there is a story that scares you to read, but is so enticing you have to read it. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is that story for me not only because it scared me but it was a new way of telling a story, she is a new author and this is one of my first books that I consider African Diaspora.
If you want to read an accurate depiction of life in Africa prior to the enslavement and Middle passage to modern times, this is an amazing rendition. Once you pick up this book, you will not want to put it down. Readers will follow two half-sisters born in Africa and we watch as they and their lives parallel when one remains in African and the other is enslaved and brought to America. Their descendants occupy the chapters and tell each other’s story and our history. We are transported to Africa where black men were Kings and Warriors and cultivated their lives before and after the Europeans became part of the equation. We feel the pain of enslavement and the passage to America in the dank, dark, filthy boats. We become part of the history as the descendants of the two half-sisters bring us to the future only to come full circle on our history, spirit and life.
I completed this book months ago, but only today could I finally sit down and write the review of this story. It remains a part of my being because not only was I educated on things I wasn’t sure about, but I felt as if I was in the different eras of times. I felt transported to times where lives for black folk weren’t easy, but acknowledging the strength of the African people made me feel strong. I took so much away from this story, but the most important was how resilient and strong we are as people of African descent. Gyasi has written a timeless classic which grabs us completely by our souls and doesn’t relinquish it when finish. I still feel a strong emotional attachment to this story and it is because of the wonderful writing and the style of which this novel was written, which was totally imaginative. I would recommend everyone read this story and meet the descendants who are in a way your family. Well-written, well-paced and an amazingly enticing read!
Cashana 12/16
By Yaa Gyasi
Imani Book Club Rating: 4.5
Sometimes you read a novel and the story will remain with you long after you read the last page. It resonates completely within your soul. For me, the best novels come from new ways of telling or from new and upcoming authors or from a genre I am unfamiliar with reading. Then there is a story that scares you to read, but is so enticing you have to read it. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is that story for me not only because it scared me but it was a new way of telling a story, she is a new author and this is one of my first books that I consider African Diaspora.
If you want to read an accurate depiction of life in Africa prior to the enslavement and Middle passage to modern times, this is an amazing rendition. Once you pick up this book, you will not want to put it down. Readers will follow two half-sisters born in Africa and we watch as they and their lives parallel when one remains in African and the other is enslaved and brought to America. Their descendants occupy the chapters and tell each other’s story and our history. We are transported to Africa where black men were Kings and Warriors and cultivated their lives before and after the Europeans became part of the equation. We feel the pain of enslavement and the passage to America in the dank, dark, filthy boats. We become part of the history as the descendants of the two half-sisters bring us to the future only to come full circle on our history, spirit and life.
I completed this book months ago, but only today could I finally sit down and write the review of this story. It remains a part of my being because not only was I educated on things I wasn’t sure about, but I felt as if I was in the different eras of times. I felt transported to times where lives for black folk weren’t easy, but acknowledging the strength of the African people made me feel strong. I took so much away from this story, but the most important was how resilient and strong we are as people of African descent. Gyasi has written a timeless classic which grabs us completely by our souls and doesn’t relinquish it when finish. I still feel a strong emotional attachment to this story and it is because of the wonderful writing and the style of which this novel was written, which was totally imaginative. I would recommend everyone read this story and meet the descendants who are in a way your family. Well-written, well-paced and an amazingly enticing read!
Cashana 12/16