Yaa Gyasi
A Ghanaian-American novelist, who rose to prominence with her debut novel, Homegoing. Her work often explores the legacy of slavery, intergenerational trauma, and the complex history of Ghana and its diaspora. Gyasi's lyrical prose and ability to weave together multiple narratives across centuries offer a profound and intimate look at historical and contemporary issues of identity and belonging, solidifying her as a compelling voice in contemporary literature.
Yaa Gyasi’s Transcendent Kingdom follows Gifty, a Ghanaian-American neuroscientist grappling with her family's suffering and her own search for meaning. As she researches addiction and depression, she reflects on her brother’s opioid overdose, her mother’s depression, and her evangelical Christian upbringing. The novel explores the intersection of science, faith, grief, and the immigrant experience. With intimate prose and intellectual depth, Gyasi reveals how trauma and cultural identity shape one’s understanding of the world and the self.
Spanning 300 years and two continents, Homegoing traces the divergent fates of two half-sisters—one sold into slavery, the other married to a British colonizer. Each chapter follows a descendant, capturing the rippling effects of slavery, racism, and resilience through generations. Gyasi’s powerful debut is an ambitious, emotionally rich exploration of identity, heritage, and the enduring scars of history.