This month, the Empire Book Club proudly features Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi—a sweeping, unforgettable debut that takes us deep into the heart of African and African-American history, through the lens of two half-sisters and their descendants.

About the Book

Homegoing begins in 18th-century Ghana with the stories of Effia and Esi, two half-sisters who never meet. Effia is married off to a British slave trader and remains in the Cape Coast Castle, while Esi is captured, imprisoned in the dungeons below, and sold into slavery. From this poignant starting point, Gyasi weaves a powerful tale that spans seven generations, tracing the legacy of slavery, colonialism, trauma, and resilience across Ghana and the United States.Each chapter introduces a new descendant, showcasing how the fates of Effia and Esi ripple through history—through the brutality of plantations, the fight for freedom, the Great Migration, and the struggle for identity in modern times.

Awards and Recognition

Homegoing has received widespread acclaim and several prestigious awards, including:

PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Fiction

National Book Critics Circle’s John Leonard Prize

American Book Award

Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize

Recognition as a New York Times Notable Book

The novel has also been celebrated for its poetic language, emotional depth, and ambitious storytelling—making it a standout work in contemporary literature.

About the Author: Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi was born in Ghana and raised in the United States. She holds degrees from Stanford University and the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her writing explores the intersections of history, identity, science, and spirituality. With Homegoing, she established herself as one of the most important literary voices of her generation. Her second novel, Transcendent Kingdom, further showcases her range and talent.

Join us this month as we read and reflect on Homegoing.