Yaa Gyasi writes books that stay with you long after you turn the final page. Her novels explore history and family in such a profound way. If you enjoy stories that examine similar themes with a deep emotional resonance, you might want to check out other authors.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a Nigerian author known for insightful stories on identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience. Her novel “Americanah” follows Ifemelu and Obinze, two young Nigerians, separated by circumstance as they migrate abroad seeking new opportunities.
Ifemelu heads to America, where she confronts racial identity head-on. Obinze faces his own challenges in London, navigating life without proper documentation. The novel thoughtfully explores love, race, and cultural contrasts as their paths diverge and reconnect over the years.
For those drawn to the themes of homecoming and identity in Yaa Gyasi’s novels, “Americanah” offers another vivid and engaging journey.
If you enjoy Yaa Gyasi’s novels, you might appreciate Toni Morrison’s powerful storytelling. Morrison’s writing often explores the experiences of Black Americans, capturing depth and emotional weight similar to Gyasi’s work.
A great starting point is “Beloved,” a novel about Sethe, a woman who escapes slavery but remains haunted by its painful legacy. The story moves fluidly between her past and present, examining family bonds, loss, trauma, and resilience.
Morrison’s characters linger with you long after you finish reading, and “Beloved” is a perfect example of her skill in portraying complicated, unforgettable lives.
Zadie Smith is a sharp, vibrant voice in contemporary fiction who explores family roots, race, and cultural identity with wit and depth. If you enjoyed Yaa Gyasi’s thoughtful narratives and rich character connections, you might find Smith’s novel “White Teeth” appealing.
Set in London, it tells the interconnected stories of immigrant families from diverse backgrounds, bringing together Jamaican, Bangladeshi, and English cultures.
Through their experiences, Smith portrays complex issues of belonging and multicultural identity across generations, wrapped in humor, drama, and lively dialogue.
Jesmyn Ward is an American author known for powerful narratives that address family ties, race, and the legacy of history. Her novel “Sing, Unburied, Sing” paints a vivid picture of a Mississippi family haunted by ghosts both literal and figurative.
The story centers on young Jojo and his sister Kayla, who join their troubled mother on a journey to pick up their father from prison. Along the way, the family’s story unfolds against the backdrop of rural poverty, addiction, and echoes from the past.
Ward’s writing captures the strength of familial bonds and the deep scars left by generations of trauma. Fans of Yaa Gyasi’s “Homegoing” will appreciate how Ward weaves together personal journeys and historical truths with memorable characters.
Books by Imbolo Mbue often explore family bonds, cultural identity, and dreams set against powerful real-world backdrops. Her novel, “Behold the Dreamers,” follows Jende and Neni Jonga, immigrants from Cameroon who arrive in New York with big dreams of building better lives.
Jende secures a job as a chauffeur for a wealthy executive at Lehman Brothers, but soon the financial crisis of 2008 reshapes their world.
Mbue skillfully portrays the Jongas’ struggles, hopes, and the tough choices they must make, blended with sharp observations of class differences in America.
Readers who appreciate Yaa Gyasi’s vivid storytelling and thoughtful exploration of cultural heritage and family dynamics will find similar depth and warmth in Mbue’s writing.
Readers who enjoyed Yaa Gyasi’s thoughtful storytelling might connect strongly with Colson Whitehead’s novels. Whitehead is known for blending historical facts with emotional depth, creating narratives that linger.
His novel “The Underground Railroad” offers a powerful story about Cora, a young enslaved woman who attempts an escape through a secret railway system. The novel mixes realistic details with imaginative elements to explore the harsh realities of freedom and oppression.
Whitehead’s vivid characters, intense situations, and thought-provoking themes could resonate deeply with fans of Gyasi’s “Homegoing.”
Brit Bennett is an author who explores themes of identity, family, race, and the choices people make throughout their lives. Readers who enjoy Yaa Gyasi’s ability to weave powerful, multi-generational family stories may find Bennett’s “The Vanishing Half” particularly appealing.
The novel follows twin sisters Stella and Desiree Vignes, who grow up in a small southern Black community. The sisters run away as teenagers, but end up leading completely separate lives.
Stella, who chooses to pass as white, hides her past from everyone, including her own husband. Desiree, meanwhile, embraces her identity more openly but faces struggles of her own.
Bennett examines how race, memory, and identity shape a family’s legacy, a topic that will resonate deeply with anyone who has enjoyed Gyasi’s storytelling.
If you enjoy the powerful storytelling and rich exploration of identity in Yaa Gyasi’s novels, Nadia Owusu might also resonate with you.
In her memoir “Aftershocks,” Owusu shares her life story shaped by numerous moves across continents, cultures, and the emotional tremors of family upheaval.
Born to an Armenian-American mother and Ghanaian father, Owusu beautifully navigates the fault lines of family loss, shifting identities, and the search for belonging.
Her raw honesty and vivid descriptions invite readers into a life defined by multiple threads of heritage and memory.
Through personal reflections and thoughtfully woven stories, “Aftershocks” captures the emotional landscape of growing up in a globalized world with clarity and depth.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is an author known for his insightful explorations of race, identity, and American history. If you’re interested in themes presented by Yaa Gyasi, you may connect deeply with Coates’ novel “The Water Dancer.”
This book mixes reality and fantasy in the story of Hiram Walker, a young man born into slavery in Virginia who discovers he possesses a mysterious power.
Through Hiram’s journey toward freedom and self-discovery, Coates vividly addresses family bonds, memory, and the struggle against oppression.
Readers who appreciate Gyasi’s rich portrayals of family and heritage in “Homegoing” or “Transcendent Kingdom” might likewise find resonance in Coates’ powerful blend of history, imagination, and emotional depth.
If you enjoy Yaa Gyasi’s thoughtful storytelling and vivid portrayals of family bonds, you might also appreciate Nigerian-American author Chinelo Okparanta. In her novel “Under the Udala Trees,” Okparanta presents a heartfelt story set against the Nigerian Civil War.
The main character, Ijeoma, grows up amid conflict and loss. She also starts to discover her feelings toward another girl, Amina, in a society that strongly rejects same-sex relationships.
Okparanta carefully explores the tension between personal desires, cultural expectations, and family traditions, while giving readers an intimate look into Nigerian history and social issues.
Bernardine Evaristo is a British-Nigerian author whose writing explores themes of identity, race, and history with a depth Yaa Gyasi’s readers will appreciate. Her novel “Girl, Woman, Other” follows twelve interconnected women from various backgrounds across Britain.
Each character has a distinct voice and a unique personal and cultural perspective. The book weaves their stories into a vibrant tapestry of experiences, capturing snapshots of modern life’s diversity and complexity.
Readers who enjoyed Gyasi’s layered narratives and compelling character portraits in “Homegoing” will find a lot to appreciate in Evaristo’s powerful storytelling.
Edwidge Danticat is a Haitian-American author whose moving novels explore themes of family bonds, cultural identity, and displacement.
Her novel “Breath, Eyes, Memory” tells the powerful story of Sophie Caco—a young Haitian girl reunited with her mother in New York after years of separation.
As Sophie adjusts to life in a new country, she faces challenges rooted in her family’s past and their Haitian traditions. Danticat skillfully captures Sophie’s inner struggles and paints vivid pictures of Haiti’s landscapes and rituals.
If you appreciate how Yaa Gyasi thoughtfully examines generational ties and the immigrant experience, this emotionally resonant story from Danticat might be a meaningful read for you.
Arundhati Roy is an Indian author known for vivid storytelling and careful exploration of family histories and cultural conflicts. If you enjoyed Yaa Gyasi’s “Homegoing,” you might appreciate Roy’s “The God of Small Things.”
In this novel, Roy tells the story of fraternal twins Rahel and Estha who reunite in southern India decades after tragedy shattered their childhood.
Roy carefully reveals the layered secrets of their family, showing how small misunderstandings and rigid societal rules deeply affect their lives.
The lush setting of Kerala, complex family dynamics, and sharp focus on how personal and political events intertwine create an absorbing narrative, making this an unforgettable read.
Alice Walker is an author known for her deep exploration of African American women’s experiences, identity, and spirituality. If Yaa Gyasi’s stories resonate with you, Walker’s famous novel “The Color Purple” could be a powerful read to consider next.
Through intimate letters, Walker tells the story of Celie, a young African American woman enduring harsh treatment from her abusive husband in the rural South. Her strength unfolds gradually.
Relationships slowly form, bonds of sisterhood and resilience emerge, and Celie finds her own voice and independence.
Walker’s honest portrayal of trauma and recovery might speak to readers who’ve connected deeply with the generational narratives and emotionally charged storytelling present in Gyasi’s work.
Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o is a Kenyan author whose novels explore culture, history, colonialism, and identity in East Africa. If you enjoyed Yaa Gyasi’s “Homegoing,” then Ngũgĩ's “The River Between” might resonate strongly with you.
Set in rural Kenya, the book portrays two rival villages divided by conflicting traditions and the impact of European colonialists. Waiyaki, a thoughtful young man, attempts to bridge this divide to unite his community.
Ngũgĩ powerfully highlights the tension between preserving heritage and embracing change, making it a memorable read.