Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi

Homegoing was my book club's March pick. Unfortunately, the book club hasn't been able to meet since the COVID-19 crisis began and we were all asked to begin physical distancing, and without a deadline, I ended up not finishing the book until May! (In my defense, I spent a lot of time with Mr. Putin over the last few months.)

Homegoing tells the story of two families over the course of four centuries; the families are descended from two half-sisters. The sisters never met, and their lives diverged dramatically, as one was abducted and sold into slavery, while the other made an advantageous marriage and remained in Africa. The chapters alternate between the families, and follow the generations of descendants, so the book reads more like a collection of short stories. The writing is wonderful, and the characters are realistic. I enjoyed reading about the different historical time periods, both in the U.S., and in Africa. Some of the chapters are tragic and heartbreaking, but not all, giving the book an overall sense of optimism. Highly recommended.