Wonderful premise and also lovely execution. Hear me out: two sisters, separated at birth, in Ghana, end of 18th century. One of them ends up married to a slaver, the other one is sent as a slave to North America. Every chapter follows the story of each sister's son or daughter. And it goes on for generations until modern day US/Ghana. Parallel stories unfolding, one event determining the future of so many.

Made me consider my ancestors in ways I'd never thought of before. How choices, luck, chance, fortune or misfortune will not only determine the course of your life but also the course of everyone who will go after you. This books connects people vertically in a beautiful and spiritual way that I found very compelling.

On the other hand of course, I must mention the horrible, horrible experiences that are depicted in the book, mostly from the American side of it all. The tales of slavery are evidently despicable, but post-slavery America is undoubtedly terrifying as well. How Black people are integrated in a seemingly normal society but not really cuz it's all filled with ENRAGING RACISM ughhhhh.

As with many books I've read this book, it is enriching to live out the experiences of people of color via their lives and stories, fictional or not. I am happy I'm embarking in this journey and steering away from the mf classics and reading books that matter, that can open people's eyes and minds to others, and most importantly to those who have less opportunities. thx for attending my ted talk.