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Rootless
A provocative debut novel about a marriage in crisis that asks the question: Can you ever be rooted in a home that's on the brink of collapse?
On a Spring afternoon in London, Sam hops the stairs of his flat two at a time. There's £1,300 missing from his and his wife, Efe's, shared bank account and his calls are going straight to voicemail. When he finally reaches someone, he learns Efe is nearly 5,000 miles away as their toddler looks around and asks, "Where's Mummy?"
When Efe and Sam met as teens headed for university, it seemed everyone knew they were meant to be. Efe, newly arrived in the UK from Ghana and sinking under the weight of her parents' expectations, found comfort in the focused and idealistic Sam. He was stable, working toward a law career, and had an unwavering vision for their future. A vision Efe, now a decade later, finds slightly insufferable. From the outside, they're the picture-perfect couple everyone imagined, but there are cracks in the frame.
When Efe and Sam are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, they find themselves on opposing sides. Fatherhood is everything he has dreamed of, but Efe feels stuck in a nightmare. And when a new revelation emerges, they are forced to confront just how radically different they want their lives to be. Already swallowed by the demands of motherhood and feeling the dreams she had slipping away once again, Efe disappears.
Rootless is a heartrending love story about motherhood and sacrifice, providing an intimate look at what happens after a marriage collapses, leading two people to rediscover what they ultimately want--and if it's still each other. As Efe says, "Love and regret aren't mutually exclusive."
On a Spring afternoon in London, Sam hops the stairs of his flat two at a time. There's £1,300 missing from his and his wife, Efe's, shared bank account and his calls are going straight to voicemail. When he finally reaches someone, he learns Efe is nearly 5,000 miles away as their toddler looks around and asks, "Where's Mummy?"
When Efe and Sam met as teens headed for university, it seemed everyone knew they were meant to be. Efe, newly arrived in the UK from Ghana and sinking under the weight of her parents' expectations, found comfort in the focused and idealistic Sam. He was stable, working toward a law career, and had an unwavering vision for their future. A vision Efe, now a decade later, finds slightly insufferable. From the outside, they're the picture-perfect couple everyone imagined, but there are cracks in the frame.
When Efe and Sam are faced with an unplanned pregnancy, they find themselves on opposing sides. Fatherhood is everything he has dreamed of, but Efe feels stuck in a nightmare. And when a new revelation emerges, they are forced to confront just how radically different they want their lives to be. Already swallowed by the demands of motherhood and feeling the dreams she had slipping away once again, Efe disappears.
Rootless is a heartrending love story about motherhood and sacrifice, providing an intimate look at what happens after a marriage collapses, leading two people to rediscover what they ultimately want--and if it's still each other. As Efe says, "Love and regret aren't mutually exclusive."
346 pages, Hardcover
First published March 7, 2023
344 people are currently reading
23.2k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,055 reviews
March 21, 2023
In a Nutshell: Supposed to be a story about a ‘British-Ghanaian marriage in crisis�. Turned out to be a story about two self-centered individuals who don’t know what marriage or parenthood means. Shallow unlikeable characters and jumpy plot development make this a ‘rootless� novel, struggling to discover where it belongs. This is an outlier review.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
😍 Some of Efe’s concerns about parenting/being a mother were quite heartfelt and genuine. The story highlights how it is always the wife who needs to make the greater sacrifice when it comes to pregnancy or motherhood, no matter how understanding the husband.
😍 There were a few good insights into Ghanaian food and culture. (Not as many as or in the way I would have liked though.)
Where the book left me with mixed feelings:
😔 The story begins with the time of ‘Five months before�, then moves to ‘Nineteen years Before�, and steps ahead by one year in every chapter. Thus each year focusses on an important event in Sam’s and Efe’s lives, either together or individually. Gradually, the story reaches the initial time point, and continues to move ahead by a month or a week. Thus you know that zero hour is going to be something crucial. This writing choice helped cover a lot about the characters over the years, but at the same time, the fast-forwarded plot progression left me feeling as if I didn’t get to know them at all.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😣 The story turned out to be a parenting drama as much as a marriage drama. However, the parenting issues were written very flatly. So wherever I should have felt tremendous emotions, I felt nothing! Well, maybe except irritation.
😣 Other than the date and time indication, there was nothing to suggest that the scene was taking place in 1997 or 2004 or so on. Every scene felt the same in its atmosphere and setting.
😣 A character-oriented story always works better with endearing characters. Here, I could stand neither Sam nor Efe. Their connection to each other wasn’t evident at all once their relationship moved towards the romantic. It was sad how a journey of nineteen years still didn’t make them communicate openly with each other, and how each felt like their point of view was the right one. Both were wrong in many ways, and sadly for the book, two wrongs didn’t make a right this time around.
😣 The plot development is very ad hoc. For instance, Efe was in the UK in her childhood, but after a traumatising incident, her parents took her and her sister back to Ghana and swore never to return to the UK again. Yet, these very parents send the two young girls back to the UK a few years later, all alone, without any worry about the past trauma. Similarly, Efe is highly passionate about her career, to the point of not wanting a child. And yet she escape to Ghana without any intimation to her workplace and isn’t in any hurry to come back.
😣 The writing is quite basic, I am sorry to say. There are references to some facts that comes up once in the plot and aren’t brought up ever again. There were even a few logical loopholes. Answer me this, ladies, as I am sure we all have gone through this at some point or the other. If your sanitary pad is overflowing, and you are *seated*, will you be able to see the blood trickling down your thighs? What kind of weird anti-gravity menstrual blood is this?!?!
😣 The ‘zero hour� scene is so ridiculously out of place that I would have thrown the book at the wall had I had a physical copy. I hated the ending, not because of what happened but because of how it was written, almost like a ‘diabolus ex machina�.
😣 Every single Ghanaian character is straight out of the box. The overbearing parents and the interfering relatives are clichéd to the core. Efe’s sister, being the only decently likeable character in the whole book, is a minor exception, but even she has a fixed role to play. The Ghanaian part of the story seemed to emphasise only on the negatives of the country.
For a debut work, this is quite ambitious, probably too much so. Considering the heavy topics and dark emotions, maybe this could have turned out better in the hands of a more experienced writer.
To me, it was senseless and pointless to trudge through ‘Rootless.� It didn’t provide what it promised. There are far better books about motherhood struggles and PPD out there, and this one just left me feeling blasé in comparison, with the flat and unlikeable characters adding to the frustration. Then again, this is an outlier opinion, so please go through the other gushy reviews and see if you want to give this a go.
2 stars.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the DRC of “Rootless�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this worked out so badly.
Triggers: The content gets quite dark, so if you are sensitive about motherhood or pregnancy related traumas, proceed with care.
—ĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔ�
Connect with me through:
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Story Synopsis:
Sam, a UK native of Ghanaian origin, is the ideal student: sincere, focussed on becoming a lawyer.
Efe, newly arrived from Ghana and staying with her aunt in the UK, wants to study art history but her conservative family wishes for her to choose something more secure.
After many years of friendship, Sam and Efe gravitate towards each other and then towards marriage. But when it comes to beginning a family, their thinking doesn’t match. When Sam arrives home one day to find that Efe has run away to Ghana, the two of them need to decide if their marriage is worth fighting for.
The story is written in the third person limited perspective of Sam and Efe.
Where the book worked for me:
😍 Some of Efe’s concerns about parenting/being a mother were quite heartfelt and genuine. The story highlights how it is always the wife who needs to make the greater sacrifice when it comes to pregnancy or motherhood, no matter how understanding the husband.
😍 There were a few good insights into Ghanaian food and culture. (Not as many as or in the way I would have liked though.)
Where the book left me with mixed feelings:
😔 The story begins with the time of ‘Five months before�, then moves to ‘Nineteen years Before�, and steps ahead by one year in every chapter. Thus each year focusses on an important event in Sam’s and Efe’s lives, either together or individually. Gradually, the story reaches the initial time point, and continues to move ahead by a month or a week. Thus you know that zero hour is going to be something crucial. This writing choice helped cover a lot about the characters over the years, but at the same time, the fast-forwarded plot progression left me feeling as if I didn’t get to know them at all.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
😣 The story turned out to be a parenting drama as much as a marriage drama. However, the parenting issues were written very flatly. So wherever I should have felt tremendous emotions, I felt nothing! Well, maybe except irritation.
😣 Other than the date and time indication, there was nothing to suggest that the scene was taking place in 1997 or 2004 or so on. Every scene felt the same in its atmosphere and setting.
😣 A character-oriented story always works better with endearing characters. Here, I could stand neither Sam nor Efe. Their connection to each other wasn’t evident at all once their relationship moved towards the romantic. It was sad how a journey of nineteen years still didn’t make them communicate openly with each other, and how each felt like their point of view was the right one. Both were wrong in many ways, and sadly for the book, two wrongs didn’t make a right this time around.
😣 The plot development is very ad hoc. For instance, Efe was in the UK in her childhood, but after a traumatising incident, her parents took her and her sister back to Ghana and swore never to return to the UK again. Yet, these very parents send the two young girls back to the UK a few years later, all alone, without any worry about the past trauma. Similarly, Efe is highly passionate about her career, to the point of not wanting a child. And yet she escape to Ghana without any intimation to her workplace and isn’t in any hurry to come back.
😣 The writing is quite basic, I am sorry to say. There are references to some facts that comes up once in the plot and aren’t brought up ever again. There were even a few logical loopholes. Answer me this, ladies, as I am sure we all have gone through this at some point or the other. If your sanitary pad is overflowing, and you are *seated*, will you be able to see the blood trickling down your thighs? What kind of weird anti-gravity menstrual blood is this?!?!
😣 The ‘zero hour� scene is so ridiculously out of place that I would have thrown the book at the wall had I had a physical copy. I hated the ending, not because of what happened but because of how it was written, almost like a ‘diabolus ex machina�.
😣 Every single Ghanaian character is straight out of the box. The overbearing parents and the interfering relatives are clichéd to the core. Efe’s sister, being the only decently likeable character in the whole book, is a minor exception, but even she has a fixed role to play. The Ghanaian part of the story seemed to emphasise only on the negatives of the country.
For a debut work, this is quite ambitious, probably too much so. Considering the heavy topics and dark emotions, maybe this could have turned out better in the hands of a more experienced writer.
To me, it was senseless and pointless to trudge through ‘Rootless.� It didn’t provide what it promised. There are far better books about motherhood struggles and PPD out there, and this one just left me feeling blasé in comparison, with the flat and unlikeable characters adding to the frustration. Then again, this is an outlier opinion, so please go through the other gushy reviews and see if you want to give this a go.
2 stars.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the DRC of “Rootless�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. Sorry this worked out so badly.
Triggers: The content gets quite dark, so if you are sensitive about motherhood or pregnancy related traumas, proceed with care.
—ĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔĔ�
Connect with me through:
| | | |
September 9, 2023
BLOWN AWAY! What an unforgettable debut novel!
Let me tell you, this book will be on every list come 2023. I truly cannot believe this is a debut novel, it is well written, filled with characters you cannot help but cheer for, who are going through relatable things. I cannot recommend Rootless enough.
Rootless opens with Sam reaching home and not finding his wife Efe. Their bank account is missing $1,300, their daughter is crying and Efe is not picking up her phone. Sam feels totally blind sighted, where is Efe? Where did the money go? Why isn’t Efe’s sister picking up? How does one disappear?
Efe and her sister were sent to the UK from Ghana to live with her Aunty for a better life. Efe and her sister thrived somewhat in the UK but they missed home. Efe wasn’t sure where her place is in the world but she knew she wanted to leave an impact. She met Sam while in high school and they stay connected while in University. Through a series of events, they got together later in life, got married and everything was going great, until Efe accidentally got pregnant.
Efe struggled through her first pregnancy, she went through it because Sam left her no choice. Motherhood was hard for Efe, so much so her parents came from Ghana to take her child from her. After three years, Efe and Sam are finally happy, back into a groove, and enjoying their marriage and being a parent. That is until Efe disappears.
A truly heart breaking novel about motherhood, tradition, marriage, regret, love, family and what it means to lose yourself for others. The author covered the theme in such a layered and brilliant way. It is one of those books you read and you can feel your heart constricting, because while you don’t want the book to end, you need to find out what happens. A truly brilliant book that EVERYONE will love!
Let me tell you, this book will be on every list come 2023. I truly cannot believe this is a debut novel, it is well written, filled with characters you cannot help but cheer for, who are going through relatable things. I cannot recommend Rootless enough.
Rootless opens with Sam reaching home and not finding his wife Efe. Their bank account is missing $1,300, their daughter is crying and Efe is not picking up her phone. Sam feels totally blind sighted, where is Efe? Where did the money go? Why isn’t Efe’s sister picking up? How does one disappear?
Efe and her sister were sent to the UK from Ghana to live with her Aunty for a better life. Efe and her sister thrived somewhat in the UK but they missed home. Efe wasn’t sure where her place is in the world but she knew she wanted to leave an impact. She met Sam while in high school and they stay connected while in University. Through a series of events, they got together later in life, got married and everything was going great, until Efe accidentally got pregnant.
Efe struggled through her first pregnancy, she went through it because Sam left her no choice. Motherhood was hard for Efe, so much so her parents came from Ghana to take her child from her. After three years, Efe and Sam are finally happy, back into a groove, and enjoying their marriage and being a parent. That is until Efe disappears.
A truly heart breaking novel about motherhood, tradition, marriage, regret, love, family and what it means to lose yourself for others. The author covered the theme in such a layered and brilliant way. It is one of those books you read and you can feel your heart constricting, because while you don’t want the book to end, you need to find out what happens. A truly brilliant book that EVERYONE will love!
April 27, 2023
“I was trying to be someone else or at least I wasn’t ready to be who he needed me to be�
Wow! It couldn’t have been easy thinking about writing a book like this, especially with some topics that some would consider controversial. Although it sparks a lot of interest, the dramatic start of the book doesn’t prepare us for the shock this book entails.
I can see readers full-on hating Efe and the other side of readers being firmly on her side. For me, all I have is compassion for her. She illustrates the heavy expectations placed on women and how they are intensified in certain cultures. She may not have gone about things always in a thought-out manner but I also understand taking matters into your own hands, because no matter what you know yourself more than anyone else!
Sam was a good man, but unfortunately, he was still a man. His ignorance of his wife’s struggles was hard to read. However, I could tell he was really trying to understand and work it all out. I did not improve on how their relationship started and I wouldn’t consider them soulmates or whatever, but there was definitely something there for them to hold onto.
For most of the start, I was a bit bored and felt everything was going too fast, but Appiah was easing us into the next heavy events. The ending did have me shedding a few tears, so Appiah, thank you for my first book-related tears for 2023.
Wow! It couldn’t have been easy thinking about writing a book like this, especially with some topics that some would consider controversial. Although it sparks a lot of interest, the dramatic start of the book doesn’t prepare us for the shock this book entails.
I can see readers full-on hating Efe and the other side of readers being firmly on her side. For me, all I have is compassion for her. She illustrates the heavy expectations placed on women and how they are intensified in certain cultures. She may not have gone about things always in a thought-out manner but I also understand taking matters into your own hands, because no matter what you know yourself more than anyone else!
Sam was a good man, but unfortunately, he was still a man. His ignorance of his wife’s struggles was hard to read. However, I could tell he was really trying to understand and work it all out. I did not improve on how their relationship started and I wouldn’t consider them soulmates or whatever, but there was definitely something there for them to hold onto.
For most of the start, I was a bit bored and felt everything was going too fast, but Appiah was easing us into the next heavy events. The ending did have me shedding a few tears, so Appiah, thank you for my first book-related tears for 2023.
December 19, 2024
I’m overwhelmed with so many emotions right now
Rootless is a compelling provocative story following the lives of Efe and Sam. The two have been best friends for years until they decide to embark on a fling that soon turns to marriage then to starting a family. Problem is Efe and Sam are just two different people with different life goals and expectations. With both at the end of each spectrum can they make this love last?
Whewww as a debut novel this author went out all gun’s blazing focusing on very sensitive subjects like motherhood, marriage, family expectations and so much more. She definitely wrote this book with the agenda to have people talking about it because I can’t wait to divulge and dissect this whole story with my book club girlies.
I found Rootless to be a very slow burn that just happened to ignite enough flame to keep me reading. The beginning is very drawn out while still interesting, but when I got to the middle of the book� LOCKED IN!
The book is told in past and present chapters, and I found the format quite confusing sometimes. Also, I felt like the book was jumping from first person to third person POV and it did it make it hard to resonate deeper with the characters.
My emotions were all over the place and I couldn’t help being biased with some of my personal thoughts. My annoyance with Efe and Sam was reaching boiling points at the best of times. I understand that motherhood was very difficult for her, but i could never make the same decisions she decided to. Then Sam. Sam is a man. He could have listened to Efe more and not be as pressurizing but deep down he was a great man and father and his personal story with his own mother absolutely broke my heart!
I must say I am very torn over the ending. It kind of gave ‘so what was the whole point� vibes, but overall, this was a very interesting story and would make a great book club discussion.
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pre read
This months Book Club Pick from my girls
Really trying to get more into Contemporary Romance book
Hope this one is a winner! 💜💚
Rootless is a compelling provocative story following the lives of Efe and Sam. The two have been best friends for years until they decide to embark on a fling that soon turns to marriage then to starting a family. Problem is Efe and Sam are just two different people with different life goals and expectations. With both at the end of each spectrum can they make this love last?
Whewww as a debut novel this author went out all gun’s blazing focusing on very sensitive subjects like motherhood, marriage, family expectations and so much more. She definitely wrote this book with the agenda to have people talking about it because I can’t wait to divulge and dissect this whole story with my book club girlies.
I found Rootless to be a very slow burn that just happened to ignite enough flame to keep me reading. The beginning is very drawn out while still interesting, but when I got to the middle of the book� LOCKED IN!
The book is told in past and present chapters, and I found the format quite confusing sometimes. Also, I felt like the book was jumping from first person to third person POV and it did it make it hard to resonate deeper with the characters.
My emotions were all over the place and I couldn’t help being biased with some of my personal thoughts. My annoyance with Efe and Sam was reaching boiling points at the best of times. I understand that motherhood was very difficult for her, but i could never make the same decisions she decided to. Then Sam. Sam is a man. He could have listened to Efe more and not be as pressurizing but deep down he was a great man and father and his personal story with his own mother absolutely broke my heart!
I must say I am very torn over the ending. It kind of gave ‘so what was the whole point� vibes, but overall, this was a very interesting story and would make a great book club discussion.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
pre read
This months Book Club Pick from my girls
Really trying to get more into Contemporary Romance book
Hope this one is a winner! 💜💚
April 28, 2023
OMFG. That’s it. That’s the review.
January 23, 2025
If you are currently (or in the past) going through a rough journey regarding having children and mental health or self-harm, then I highly suggest that you proceed with caution.
Even though I'm not a reader who has a great fondness over stories with extended conversations of pregnancy, I surprisingly found they were the strongest moments overall in terms of the plot. I tend to read novels with mental health plot focuses (it’s a major one here) in recent months, so that was familiar territory. Depression and anxiety being treated as invisible or non-exist even if it’s blatantly obvious. From the unwarranted opinions of those who only want you to be the versions they already have set in their minds. To the disregard one’s valid concerns as if not important. Shrugging off how overwhelmed a person gets.
When it comes Efe and Sam's relationship, the further I got into the book, the more I didn't want them together. Actually, I didn't really like either of them. Efe as a character was inconsistent at times as if she was a different one every few chapters. I couldn't stand Sam after the first 25-30% of the story. I would consider him one of those “nice guys� who turns sour when he feels inconvenience. He got her down the aisle and then became insufferable. In my opinion, once Efe became his wife and the mother of his daughter, she wasn't seen by him as an individual outside of a baby oven. 😑
The structure/format in the book is told in a past to present timeline. Besides the first chapter we’re initially introduced to in the present (May 2016), we go straight to the first year of meeting and move on in the following years in chronological order as we make our way back to the present. Each chapter (“year�) is named with a month and year like ‘July 2008,� September 2009,� etc.
There were a lot instances in the writing itself that tended to distract me along the way. Many times where details were given as random afterthoughts. Something would be mentioned briefly and forgotten for many chapters and then suddenly, it would basically go "oh yea, remember that thing that happened way back or how they had a big reaction? Let me give you the behind the scenes on those details now." It highlights how some chapters (“years�) felt rushed. You don’t really sit in some of the moments long enough for them to hit a connection with the reader.
The ending? It happened out of nowhere and it was unnecessary to me. I wasn’t surprised by it and I know what it was trying to do but it missed the mark. The pacing of the end felt as if being hit with whiplash from the start to end. I think there should’ve been switches in location, people and methods while letting them simmer instead of a rapid boil.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Even though I'm not a reader who has a great fondness over stories with extended conversations of pregnancy, I surprisingly found they were the strongest moments overall in terms of the plot. I tend to read novels with mental health plot focuses (it’s a major one here) in recent months, so that was familiar territory. Depression and anxiety being treated as invisible or non-exist even if it’s blatantly obvious. From the unwarranted opinions of those who only want you to be the versions they already have set in their minds. To the disregard one’s valid concerns as if not important. Shrugging off how overwhelmed a person gets.
When it comes Efe and Sam's relationship, the further I got into the book, the more I didn't want them together. Actually, I didn't really like either of them. Efe as a character was inconsistent at times as if she was a different one every few chapters. I couldn't stand Sam after the first 25-30% of the story. I would consider him one of those “nice guys� who turns sour when he feels inconvenience. He got her down the aisle and then became insufferable. In my opinion, once Efe became his wife and the mother of his daughter, she wasn't seen by him as an individual outside of a baby oven. 😑
The structure/format in the book is told in a past to present timeline. Besides the first chapter we’re initially introduced to in the present (May 2016), we go straight to the first year of meeting and move on in the following years in chronological order as we make our way back to the present. Each chapter (“year�) is named with a month and year like ‘July 2008,� September 2009,� etc.
There were a lot instances in the writing itself that tended to distract me along the way. Many times where details were given as random afterthoughts. Something would be mentioned briefly and forgotten for many chapters and then suddenly, it would basically go "oh yea, remember that thing that happened way back or how they had a big reaction? Let me give you the behind the scenes on those details now." It highlights how some chapters (“years�) felt rushed. You don’t really sit in some of the moments long enough for them to hit a connection with the reader.
The ending? It happened out of nowhere and it was unnecessary to me. I wasn’t surprised by it and I know what it was trying to do but it missed the mark. The pacing of the end felt as if being hit with whiplash from the start to end. I think there should’ve been switches in location, people and methods while letting them simmer instead of a rapid boil.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 6, 2023
This is a debut?? Ok, I’m officially wowed, Ms. Krystle Appiah. You have brought a grown man to tears with that unexpected ending. The denouement was such a surprise, mainly because it was so skillfully tucked away into a beautiful story of family, home, motherhood, honesty, and the importance of being rooted in every sense of that word. I can’t believe this is a debut.
The protagonist, Efe, is so richly fleshed out, that you feel every emotion right along with her, as if she is real. If you don’t feel this, check your empathy muscles and see that they haven’t atrophied. This work is beautifully constructed and even though we know from the publisher summary that Efe and Sam will be husband and wife, that knowledge doesn’t disturb the story of them coming together, that is due to the great pacing and placing of various scenarios, all highly realistic and relatable.
After Sam and Efe have their first child, Efe suffers from postpartum depression, Ms.Krystle Appiah handles this so adroitly that it’s not even named nor forcefully thrust upon readers. After her recovery from postpartum, Efe and Sam work hard to rebuild their relationship and one can imagine after that experience how difficult that could be.
Ms. Appiah could have taken the readers down the heavy drama rode, but thankfully she didn’t and kept us on the real and engaging journey. By this point in the novel the reader will know they are in the capable hands of a writer flirting with greatness. Those plotting decisions result in a top notch debut. READ THIS! This book doesn’t drop until March of 2023, and I’m guaranteeing right now, this will unquestionably be one of your best reads of �23! It’s that damn good! Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC.
The protagonist, Efe, is so richly fleshed out, that you feel every emotion right along with her, as if she is real. If you don’t feel this, check your empathy muscles and see that they haven’t atrophied. This work is beautifully constructed and even though we know from the publisher summary that Efe and Sam will be husband and wife, that knowledge doesn’t disturb the story of them coming together, that is due to the great pacing and placing of various scenarios, all highly realistic and relatable.
After Sam and Efe have their first child, Efe suffers from postpartum depression, Ms.Krystle Appiah handles this so adroitly that it’s not even named nor forcefully thrust upon readers. After her recovery from postpartum, Efe and Sam work hard to rebuild their relationship and one can imagine after that experience how difficult that could be.
Ms. Appiah could have taken the readers down the heavy drama rode, but thankfully she didn’t and kept us on the real and engaging journey. By this point in the novel the reader will know they are in the capable hands of a writer flirting with greatness. Those plotting decisions result in a top notch debut. READ THIS! This book doesn’t drop until March of 2023, and I’m guaranteeing right now, this will unquestionably be one of your best reads of �23! It’s that damn good! Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an ARC.
February 21, 2023
Mayhaps this is unkind, but I really felt like I was reading the notes of a book more than an actual book at times.
Not in a way that I thought the book as written was poorly done. If anything it was more middle of the road than anything. It was just the way that the flashbacks were executed that left me wanting more.
This is hardly the first book to have the book start at something that the reader is supposed to consider the present in terms of the narrative arc of the story, end that first chapter on something of a cliffhanger to keep the reader invested enough to wade through a series of flashbacks until we can finally catch back up at some point to the moment where we left off. It's just that because it's hardly the first book to use this storytelling execution method it's not that interesting to read when the writing is average. It didn't help that each chapter felt like we were rushing through plot points in the most cookie cuter way imaginable.
Ultimately this was a book about motherhood and marriage and in some instances making the best of a situation that you find yourself in... All of which felt pointless when 80% of the book were these lackluster flashbacks. We spent so much time with undnerstanding what drove Efe back to Ghana that we really took the scenic route, but the version of the road that was not at all scenic and was actually one of the dullest car rides you could go on. That when we finally got to the point in the narrative that the pieces fit together for the reader, we were on the same page as the characters, not only was there not a lot of page time for use to see the resolution to this, but the characters themselves did not seem interested in sorting any of that out.
As a result we got an ending that made me want to toss my kindle across my bedroom and ask whatever higher being exists out there the four hour and twenty minutes that I spent reading about Efe and Sam and their small collection of close family members back.
I can't endorse the book, I can't say that anyone should rush out and read it. There are some buried gems about motherhood and not feeling ready for that, elements that felt like they were trying to shine a light on postpartum depression, general conversations about self harm and mental health struggles... they are just surrounded by text that was again, very uninspired.
Not in a way that I thought the book as written was poorly done. If anything it was more middle of the road than anything. It was just the way that the flashbacks were executed that left me wanting more.
This is hardly the first book to have the book start at something that the reader is supposed to consider the present in terms of the narrative arc of the story, end that first chapter on something of a cliffhanger to keep the reader invested enough to wade through a series of flashbacks until we can finally catch back up at some point to the moment where we left off. It's just that because it's hardly the first book to use this storytelling execution method it's not that interesting to read when the writing is average. It didn't help that each chapter felt like we were rushing through plot points in the most cookie cuter way imaginable.
Ultimately this was a book about motherhood and marriage and in some instances making the best of a situation that you find yourself in... All of which felt pointless when 80% of the book were these lackluster flashbacks. We spent so much time with undnerstanding what drove Efe back to Ghana that we really took the scenic route, but the version of the road that was not at all scenic and was actually one of the dullest car rides you could go on. That when we finally got to the point in the narrative that the pieces fit together for the reader, we were on the same page as the characters, not only was there not a lot of page time for use to see the resolution to this, but the characters themselves did not seem interested in sorting any of that out.
As a result we got an ending that made me want to toss my kindle across my bedroom and ask whatever higher being exists out there the four hour and twenty minutes that I spent reading about Efe and Sam and their small collection of close family members back.
I can't endorse the book, I can't say that anyone should rush out and read it. There are some buried gems about motherhood and not feeling ready for that, elements that felt like they were trying to shine a light on postpartum depression, general conversations about self harm and mental health struggles... they are just surrounded by text that was again, very uninspired.
September 27, 2023
3/5 ⭐️
- This book is so unique and has a storyline that I’ve never read before. It’s about how hard life can be when you lose yourself to others and I found myself feeling so heartbroken for Efe because there are such heavy expectations that were placed on her by the world.
- The structure and format of this book was confusing at times with the past & present timeline. I also feel like the ending came out of nowhere and it wasn’t my favorite, but would have been a great discussion for a book club. Truly would have loved to read this with a group because there are so many deep topics to unpack. I was so surprised that this was a debut!!
- Seeing Efe let go of her hopes and dreams to follow what everyone else around her wants her life to look like is so sad, but a very real reality for so many women. Felt so much compassion for her throughout the book because she is so many of us.
- This book is so unique and has a storyline that I’ve never read before. It’s about how hard life can be when you lose yourself to others and I found myself feeling so heartbroken for Efe because there are such heavy expectations that were placed on her by the world.
- The structure and format of this book was confusing at times with the past & present timeline. I also feel like the ending came out of nowhere and it wasn’t my favorite, but would have been a great discussion for a book club. Truly would have loved to read this with a group because there are so many deep topics to unpack. I was so surprised that this was a debut!!
- Seeing Efe let go of her hopes and dreams to follow what everyone else around her wants her life to look like is so sad, but a very real reality for so many women. Felt so much compassion for her throughout the book because she is so many of us.
March 28, 2023
DNF @ 67%
I think where this book failed to grab me is with the characters, maybe if it was written in 1st person it may have been more gripping, but the writing style made me feel so disconnected from all of the characters
Also the synopsis of this book leads you to believe its about a marriage in turmoil after an unexpected pregnancy but that part of the story doesn’t start until later on in the book, at first you’re just following Efe & Sam’s life story, how they met etc and none of it made me invested in them as a couple.
I didn’t believe in their love unfortunately not to mention the affair (poor Brian)
The was 1 part of this book I finally started to feel something for Efe, when she has the breakdown on the train, as a mother myself I really related to the mental and physical exhaustion she was going through being tired all the time and feeling like it will never get better
But even this didn’t go in depth or last long because it went straight to Sam stepping up and all of a sudden the baby is 4 and they’re happy.
I think the checking in on them every year way of telling this story stopped me from connecting with the characters, it almost felt like those family members you don’t think about until you see them every Christmas and they give you a quick run down of the past 12months of their life.
This will be a great story for some but for me I wish it was written differently
I think where this book failed to grab me is with the characters, maybe if it was written in 1st person it may have been more gripping, but the writing style made me feel so disconnected from all of the characters
Also the synopsis of this book leads you to believe its about a marriage in turmoil after an unexpected pregnancy but that part of the story doesn’t start until later on in the book, at first you’re just following Efe & Sam’s life story, how they met etc and none of it made me invested in them as a couple.
I didn’t believe in their love unfortunately not to mention the affair (poor Brian)
The was 1 part of this book I finally started to feel something for Efe, when she has the breakdown on the train, as a mother myself I really related to the mental and physical exhaustion she was going through being tired all the time and feeling like it will never get better
But even this didn’t go in depth or last long because it went straight to Sam stepping up and all of a sudden the baby is 4 and they’re happy.
I think the checking in on them every year way of telling this story stopped me from connecting with the characters, it almost felt like those family members you don’t think about until you see them every Christmas and they give you a quick run down of the past 12months of their life.
This will be a great story for some but for me I wish it was written differently
February 28, 2023
Review contains major spoilers
I am really struggling with how to write this review. The book is written really well and the characters are well developed.
The story follows Efe, a British Ghanaian woman and Sam, who she meets in high school and eventually marries. Efe never wants to have children but becomes pregnant after she and Sam marry and Sam pressures her to continue the pregnancy. She has a difficult pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. When she becomes pregnant again after the dust has settled and she has finally developed a routine with her family, she tells Sam that she can't continue the pregnancy but he basically ignores her and proceeds as if they're happily planning for a second child. Efe panics and absconds to Ghana where she has an abortion with the support of her sister. We as the reader don't really know how Efe feels about her abortion, besides the fact that she needs it to survive, but the portrayal of the abortion itself is highly stigmatizing. The doctor is a shadowy figure and she has complications. When Sam finds out that Efe has had abortion, he is furious. Efe's mother is also furious with her. Efe never really has a voice in the discussion at all.
At the end of the book, following a long process of Efe and Sam reconnecting from afar, Efe is rebuilding her sense of self, painting and prioritizing herself. She is about to show her art in an exhibition, whereSam is planning to surprise her. But then Efe's taxi gets in an accident and they are run off of a bridge and she dies.
Throughout the book I clung to the idea that this was a nuanced, uncomfortable portrait of a woman who was forced into motherhood and had regrets, while still loving her family. But with this ending, it just reads like a warning to wayward women, or a promise of punishment if you dare to evade motherhood. I was so upset at the conclusion of this book. It took what could have been a four star read to a one star. I hate to give any book this low of a rating but I think this is honestly harmful.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the free ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
I am really struggling with how to write this review. The book is written really well and the characters are well developed.
The story follows Efe, a British Ghanaian woman and Sam, who she meets in high school and eventually marries. Efe never wants to have children but becomes pregnant after she and Sam marry and Sam pressures her to continue the pregnancy. She has a difficult pregnancy, birth, and postpartum experience. When she becomes pregnant again after the dust has settled and she has finally developed a routine with her family, she tells Sam that she can't continue the pregnancy but he basically ignores her and proceeds as if they're happily planning for a second child. Efe panics and absconds to Ghana where she has an abortion with the support of her sister. We as the reader don't really know how Efe feels about her abortion, besides the fact that she needs it to survive, but the portrayal of the abortion itself is highly stigmatizing. The doctor is a shadowy figure and she has complications. When Sam finds out that Efe has had abortion, he is furious. Efe's mother is also furious with her. Efe never really has a voice in the discussion at all.
At the end of the book, following a long process of Efe and Sam reconnecting from afar, Efe is rebuilding her sense of self, painting and prioritizing herself. She is about to show her art in an exhibition, whereSam is planning to surprise her. But then Efe's taxi gets in an accident and they are run off of a bridge and she dies.
Throughout the book I clung to the idea that this was a nuanced, uncomfortable portrait of a woman who was forced into motherhood and had regrets, while still loving her family. But with this ending, it just reads like a warning to wayward women, or a promise of punishment if you dare to evade motherhood. I was so upset at the conclusion of this book. It took what could have been a four star read to a one star. I hate to give any book this low of a rating but I think this is honestly harmful.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine for the free ARC in exchange for honest feedback.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2024
I read Rootless last year and it blew me away. It can be challenging to convey my thoughts when a story and character hit me so hard, so I procrastinated with writing a review. Given a more uncomfortable side of marriage and motherhood is explored, the book isn’t going to appeal to every reader. However, I think Efe is a character worth getting to know. Whether you agree with the choices she makes or not, it doesn’t really matter. The author does a great job showing you Efe’s rationale which is key to helping you understand where the character is coming from.
Recommend if you can appreciate a character who might be different from you. Or on the flip side, one you might relate to.
Recommend if you can appreciate a character who might be different from you. Or on the flip side, one you might relate to.
May 27, 2023
The ending frustrated me because the story built a lot of conflict, external, as well as internal, only for there to be no resolution. It made the whole book feel like a bit of a waste of time, to be honest. I’m giving it 3 ⭐️ because I understand it’s a debut novel and some of these skills come with time.
July 6, 2023
Efe and Sam did not belong together. 😭
November 4, 2022
This book was everything I expected and more! It started off a bit slow for me, but quickly turned for the better. I would definitely recommend this book if you love a story you will never forget! The ending was so good!
March 9, 2023
Krystle� sis� I will be sending you my therapy bill, because this book caused SEVERE emotional damage!
June 22, 2023
(2.5 rounded up)
This is a book that is going to be a bit difficult for me to review. First things first, if you plan on reading this please do your due diligence and pay attention to the content warnings. Especially if you are a mother and especially if you are/have experienced post partum depression.
As a mother currently going through post partum depression, I feel like the author showcased it in a way where we the reader got to really see and empathize with Efe.
I loved how she brought up the very valid point that mothers are always the ones who are expected to sacrifice the most, regardless if they have a helping partner or not. As mothers we can love our children and still want more for our own lives. And we shouldn't be made to seem like villains for feeling that way.
Sam was a character I could not stand. He was a good father, but he was a horrible partner to Efe. He knew she didn't want kids, and yet he still proposed and then pressured her to keep the baby when she accidentally got pregnant. Then had the audacity to be angry with her while she was battling depression. He kept asking her to sacrifice more and more of what made her HER while she encouraged him to follow his passion for photography.
A really intense event happens later in the book and he continues to be selfish. There is an attempt for a sort of redemption arc for him, as we find out his mom abandoned him and his sister when they were kids but I just wasn't buying it. As adults we are responsible for our own healing and we can't make someone else suffer for our unresolved trauma.
The ending came out of nowhere and was unnecessary in my opinion. Efe literally just suffers, sacrifices, and is treated horrible by those closest to her the whole damn book.
I get that people were upset for her abandoning her daughter but this is the reason why you don't force someone who does not want to be a parent become a parent. No amount of love is going to change that.
I wanted more for her and I'm extremely disappointed that that wasn't the case.
This is a book that is going to be a bit difficult for me to review. First things first, if you plan on reading this please do your due diligence and pay attention to the content warnings. Especially if you are a mother and especially if you are/have experienced post partum depression.
As a mother currently going through post partum depression, I feel like the author showcased it in a way where we the reader got to really see and empathize with Efe.
I loved how she brought up the very valid point that mothers are always the ones who are expected to sacrifice the most, regardless if they have a helping partner or not. As mothers we can love our children and still want more for our own lives. And we shouldn't be made to seem like villains for feeling that way.
Sam was a character I could not stand. He was a good father, but he was a horrible partner to Efe. He knew she didn't want kids, and yet he still proposed and then pressured her to keep the baby when she accidentally got pregnant. Then had the audacity to be angry with her while she was battling depression. He kept asking her to sacrifice more and more of what made her HER while she encouraged him to follow his passion for photography.
A really intense event happens later in the book and he continues to be selfish. There is an attempt for a sort of redemption arc for him, as we find out his mom abandoned him and his sister when they were kids but I just wasn't buying it. As adults we are responsible for our own healing and we can't make someone else suffer for our unresolved trauma.
The ending came out of nowhere and was unnecessary in my opinion. Efe literally just suffers, sacrifices, and is treated horrible by those closest to her the whole damn book.
I get that people were upset for her abandoning her daughter but this is the reason why you don't force someone who does not want to be a parent become a parent. No amount of love is going to change that.
I wanted more for her and I'm extremely disappointed that that wasn't the case.
March 21, 2024
3.5 stars. I purposed to read more African Authors and books based in Africa in 2024. And though I loved this story; it broke my heart. Such a heartbreaking beautiful story about marriage, motherhood and navigating struggles life throws our way…makes you think about what’s important in life. I loved the story all through the book but the ending disappointed me as I felt it was senseless and could have gone better.
May 18, 2023
A wonderful debut with an ending that left me holding my breath. Both narrators were a joy to listen to.
As the book opens, Sam is desperately trying to understand the sudden apparent departure of his wife Efe, leaving him in London with their young daughter. It transpires that she has returned to her family in Ghana. Why? - we have to wait to find out. From there the structure is fairly simple. The author takes us back to Efe's arrival in the UK as a teenager, and then moves steadily forward year by year.
Efe and Sam meet quite early on, as Sam is friends with Efe's cousin who attends the same high school. They quickly become friends and grow very close, but remain in the friend-zone for a long time. The two seem well-matched, and eventually they get together, followed inevitably by marriage. When confronted by the news of an unplanned pregnancy, they have very different reactions. Sam, whose mother walked out on the family when he was young, has always yearned for a traditional little family unit of his own. Efe, who has by now had a few false starts in deciding what she wants to do with her life, takes some convincing that the time is right to bring a child into the world. Sam's persuasion wins out, and soon baby Olivia comes into their lives. It's safe to say that Efe struggles in those early months, and Sam's desire for a family is not matched by his willingness to pull his weight. A stand-off with Efe's parents, who arrive in London to lend a hand, was for me the #2 most unexpected and tense moment in the story.
But the love this couple has for each other and their new child is strong, and they get through that difficult patch, only to face unresolved issues a few years later...
Set roughly 2/3 in London and 1/3 in Accra, this book is populated almost exclusively by Ghanaian characters. There's constant friction between the generations, and also between the cultures practised in each country. But above all, most of the tension in the story comes from the rift between Sam and Efe, and the uncertainty about whether they can find their way back to each other. In equal parts tender, frustrating and heartbreaking, I felt it was quite real. I enjoyed listening and am happy to recommend it.
As the book opens, Sam is desperately trying to understand the sudden apparent departure of his wife Efe, leaving him in London with their young daughter. It transpires that she has returned to her family in Ghana. Why? - we have to wait to find out. From there the structure is fairly simple. The author takes us back to Efe's arrival in the UK as a teenager, and then moves steadily forward year by year.
Efe and Sam meet quite early on, as Sam is friends with Efe's cousin who attends the same high school. They quickly become friends and grow very close, but remain in the friend-zone for a long time. The two seem well-matched, and eventually they get together, followed inevitably by marriage. When confronted by the news of an unplanned pregnancy, they have very different reactions. Sam, whose mother walked out on the family when he was young, has always yearned for a traditional little family unit of his own. Efe, who has by now had a few false starts in deciding what she wants to do with her life, takes some convincing that the time is right to bring a child into the world. Sam's persuasion wins out, and soon baby Olivia comes into their lives. It's safe to say that Efe struggles in those early months, and Sam's desire for a family is not matched by his willingness to pull his weight. A stand-off with Efe's parents, who arrive in London to lend a hand, was for me the #2 most unexpected and tense moment in the story.
But the love this couple has for each other and their new child is strong, and they get through that difficult patch, only to face unresolved issues a few years later...
Set roughly 2/3 in London and 1/3 in Accra, this book is populated almost exclusively by Ghanaian characters. There's constant friction between the generations, and also between the cultures practised in each country. But above all, most of the tension in the story comes from the rift between Sam and Efe, and the uncertainty about whether they can find their way back to each other. In equal parts tender, frustrating and heartbreaking, I felt it was quite real. I enjoyed listening and am happy to recommend it.
March 12, 2023
So…at the beginning of this book, I was expecting something completely different. It wasn’t until sometime in the middle-ish when I realized I was completely wrong and I was for sure I knew how this story was going to go only to get to the end and realize I was completely wrong.
I say all that to say, WOW. What a freaking debut!! 👏🏾👏🏾
Now although I have never experienced what Efe experiences in this story, I know that what she goes through is extremely real and I love the way that Krystle tackles the difficult subject matter. She doesn’t label it, she doesn’t tell us what the issue is but she strategically paints a well developed story where we get to truly know these characters & their journey and feel what they feel. I am impressed!
I’ve read reviews where people felt strong dislike for Sam (Efe’s husband) because how he handled the crisis but I found myself feeling sad for him (and definitely Olivia) because I think what she experiences is hard on everyone involved.
🎧 I loved the audiobook and I definitely recommend pairing it with the book� the narrators did a phenomenal job with putting an authentic voice to the characters.
I HIGHLY recommend y’all pick this one up!! It’s worth it!
Thank you PRHaudio for the free audiobook!
I say all that to say, WOW. What a freaking debut!! 👏🏾👏🏾
Now although I have never experienced what Efe experiences in this story, I know that what she goes through is extremely real and I love the way that Krystle tackles the difficult subject matter. She doesn’t label it, she doesn’t tell us what the issue is but she strategically paints a well developed story where we get to truly know these characters & their journey and feel what they feel. I am impressed!
I’ve read reviews where people felt strong dislike for Sam (Efe’s husband) because how he handled the crisis but I found myself feeling sad for him (and definitely Olivia) because I think what she experiences is hard on everyone involved.
🎧 I loved the audiobook and I definitely recommend pairing it with the book� the narrators did a phenomenal job with putting an authentic voice to the characters.
I HIGHLY recommend y’all pick this one up!! It’s worth it!
Thank you PRHaudio for the free audiobook!
June 1, 2023
I'm hovering between a 3 and 4-star rating. Rootless captivated me from the first page as it used the formula of setting up the story's climax early on. This method forces the reader (me) to dive further into the world orchestrated by Krystle Zara Appiah, hoping to understand how things came to be.
This past year has been quite the rollercoaster for me. My personal life didn't allow me to read as much as I WANTED to. My life had taken hold of me and didn't allow me time for... me. I promised to myself that when I did have the time to read I would try to focus on inclusivity. Why you ask?
Because inclusivity pisses off so many people.
Allow me a paragraph or so to rant... or rather, unload my thoughts. I always feel like ŷ is a safe space since I don't expect anything I review to get many looks... anyway... I decided this year I'd be more inclusive. Much of my favorite reads are written by white men, who feature white men as heroes, in a world that's primarily full of white privilege. You know the type. An any man who's faced with impossible odds yet is not worried by the lack of funds in the bank. This every man has resources many can only dream of having. This imbalance led me to make an effort to expand and be more inclusive.
Rootless by Appiah fit the bill. Surprisingly, not in the way I expected.
Rootless opens with Sam's frantic search of his wife. His wife, Efe, has abandoned him and their toddler, Olivia, without a word. With Sam determined to find his wife, the story transitions to laying the background that leads Sam and Efe to this place we've come to meet them.
Efe and Sam are the epitome of that love story many of us have fabricated in our minds after watching Dawson's Creek, Boy Meets World, or even Family Matters. You all know, the stories that kept us enthralled knowing that these platonic best friends would some how find love with each other.
Efe and Sam don't disappoint. They eventually find each other (romantically) and begin this journey of... turmoil.
Appiah describes Rootless as a novel featuring two adults experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, similarly to a teenage pregnancy. Yet, this novel is so much more. Smack dab in the middle of a battle for women's rights is taking place in America, Rootless offers another perspective.
These characters have roots in Ghana yet their stories sound the same. In particular Efe, who feels like her life has been railroaded by an unwanted pregnancy. I'm trying not to give too much away but there are moments Efe is hard to like. Yet, she speaks to me. As a woman in my late 30's that has no children (nor wants any), I'm on Efe's side.
But I know there's Sam... and his feelings...
Ultimately, I enjoyed reading Appiah's Rootless/i>. This novel that's well written with fully fleshed-out characters kept me invested. I think this novel would be best approached in a book club setting as there are many themes that can't be overlooked or dismissed.
Copy provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley
This past year has been quite the rollercoaster for me. My personal life didn't allow me to read as much as I WANTED to. My life had taken hold of me and didn't allow me time for... me. I promised to myself that when I did have the time to read I would try to focus on inclusivity. Why you ask?
Because inclusivity pisses off so many people.
Allow me a paragraph or so to rant... or rather, unload my thoughts. I always feel like ŷ is a safe space since I don't expect anything I review to get many looks... anyway... I decided this year I'd be more inclusive. Much of my favorite reads are written by white men, who feature white men as heroes, in a world that's primarily full of white privilege. You know the type. An any man who's faced with impossible odds yet is not worried by the lack of funds in the bank. This every man has resources many can only dream of having. This imbalance led me to make an effort to expand and be more inclusive.
Rootless by Appiah fit the bill. Surprisingly, not in the way I expected.
Rootless opens with Sam's frantic search of his wife. His wife, Efe, has abandoned him and their toddler, Olivia, without a word. With Sam determined to find his wife, the story transitions to laying the background that leads Sam and Efe to this place we've come to meet them.
Efe and Sam are the epitome of that love story many of us have fabricated in our minds after watching Dawson's Creek, Boy Meets World, or even Family Matters. You all know, the stories that kept us enthralled knowing that these platonic best friends would some how find love with each other.
Efe and Sam don't disappoint. They eventually find each other (romantically) and begin this journey of... turmoil.
Appiah describes Rootless as a novel featuring two adults experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, similarly to a teenage pregnancy. Yet, this novel is so much more. Smack dab in the middle of a battle for women's rights is taking place in America, Rootless offers another perspective.
These characters have roots in Ghana yet their stories sound the same. In particular Efe, who feels like her life has been railroaded by an unwanted pregnancy. I'm trying not to give too much away but there are moments Efe is hard to like. Yet, she speaks to me. As a woman in my late 30's that has no children (nor wants any), I'm on Efe's side.
But I know there's Sam... and his feelings...
Ultimately, I enjoyed reading Appiah's Rootless/i>. This novel that's well written with fully fleshed-out characters kept me invested. I think this novel would be best approached in a book club setting as there are many themes that can't be overlooked or dismissed.
Copy provided by Random House Publishing via Netgalley
April 8, 2023
4.5 stars
February 25, 2023
(free review copy) I can’t write a review that will truly do this book justice in how hard it rocked me, so here are some things to know: Set in London, Ghanaian family, marriage, motherhood, postpartum depression, caregiving, racism, bullying, infidelity, abortion, tragedy. This is a heavy story that gave me so much to think about re gender and caregiving roles, bodily autonomy, cultural norms and so so much more. I want everyone to read it so I can pick your brain. This would be an amazing book club pick for a club with compassionate readers.
Source: Edelweiss digital review copy
Source: Edelweiss digital review copy
March 13, 2023
This book. Has destroyed me. In the best way possible. The end.
July 25, 2023
Awe man! What an in your feels read this one was. Beautiful, heartbreaking, roller coaster of emotions this read was. Highly recommend you read.
January 16, 2025
This book is a slow start. I didn’t start getting into it till about 1/3 in. It starts off with Efife running away and Sam trying to call to find out why. Then it goes into how they met and got together.
What I took away from this book is that we need to listen when people tell us they don’t want something. Life is hard and trying to live it on someone else’s terms is not fun.
Having a child you necessarily didn’t want and dealing with what sounded like postpartum and taking care of your father in law while your husband isn’t doing his job as a father/husband by not giving you the support you need can make you feel lonely and isolated.
Towards the end the tired to make amends with the hurt they caused each other.
I definitely almost shed a tear because the ending was unexpected.
What I took away from this book is that we need to listen when people tell us they don’t want something. Life is hard and trying to live it on someone else’s terms is not fun.
Having a child you necessarily didn’t want and dealing with what sounded like postpartum and taking care of your father in law while your husband isn’t doing his job as a father/husband by not giving you the support you need can make you feel lonely and isolated.
Towards the end the tired to make amends with the hurt they caused each other.
I definitely almost shed a tear because the ending was unexpected.
March 16, 2023
"People—even the ones who love you—can be a weight around your neck. You just have to choose which weight you want to carry. And I’m strong. This. This I can live with."
Set between London and Ghana, Krystle tells the story of Efe and Sam. One is burdened with the expectations of family and comes crumbling when the weight becomes unbearable, while the other is consumed by his career pursuit and the structured life he envisions for his future. Yet the two fall deeply in love, but their differences will test their love.
"I wonder why we do that," she says. "Do what?" "Measure a woman’s strength by the amount she is able to endure."
Krystle presents us with a heartbreaking story on love, motherhood, and belonging. The vulnerability, the passion, the heartaches, and the frustration will have you fully invested and in your feelings. The character development was top-tier, and her portrayal of community, especially the Ghanaian community, was so rich. I really loved it. She molded two different characters coming of age, fighting their individual battles and traumas, and bringing them together through the ups and downs of friendship blossoming into love and then into marriage. But throughout this novel, Krystle weaves this lingering question: "Is love enough? Can love and regret be mutually exclusive?"
What I loved most about this book is its simplicity, but the ending, y'all, I am not okay with. I loved it, and I highly recommend it.
4.5 Thank you Netgalley for the Arc.
Set between London and Ghana, Krystle tells the story of Efe and Sam. One is burdened with the expectations of family and comes crumbling when the weight becomes unbearable, while the other is consumed by his career pursuit and the structured life he envisions for his future. Yet the two fall deeply in love, but their differences will test their love.
"I wonder why we do that," she says. "Do what?" "Measure a woman’s strength by the amount she is able to endure."
Krystle presents us with a heartbreaking story on love, motherhood, and belonging. The vulnerability, the passion, the heartaches, and the frustration will have you fully invested and in your feelings. The character development was top-tier, and her portrayal of community, especially the Ghanaian community, was so rich. I really loved it. She molded two different characters coming of age, fighting their individual battles and traumas, and bringing them together through the ups and downs of friendship blossoming into love and then into marriage. But throughout this novel, Krystle weaves this lingering question: "Is love enough? Can love and regret be mutually exclusive?"
What I loved most about this book is its simplicity, but the ending, y'all, I am not okay with. I loved it, and I highly recommend it.
4.5 Thank you Netgalley for the Arc.
March 7, 2023
This was a fantastic, emotional debut! So well done. A story about marriage, new motherhood, postpartum, mental health, family and sacrifices. If you are sensitive to self harm, infidelity, and mental health go in with caution, but I believe this is one so many are going to love.
Sam returns home and finds his wife Efe has left him and their daughter. She's taken money out of their bank account and went back to Ghana, where they're from. Efe has sacrificed who she is to please others. She had a hard time during her pregnancy, and as a mother. She suffers with postpartum depression and needs to take care of herself before she can work things through with her husband. This book follows this family's story through the trials and tribulations of life, and I was into it. This author handled tough topics perfectly (in my opinion), and it was captivating. I really connected with this one.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Sam returns home and finds his wife Efe has left him and their daughter. She's taken money out of their bank account and went back to Ghana, where they're from. Efe has sacrificed who she is to please others. She had a hard time during her pregnancy, and as a mother. She suffers with postpartum depression and needs to take care of herself before she can work things through with her husband. This book follows this family's story through the trials and tribulations of life, and I was into it. This author handled tough topics perfectly (in my opinion), and it was captivating. I really connected with this one.
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
March 6, 2023
I’m not sure I’ve ever DNF a book at 99% read.
I initially thought this was an impressive, and ambitious debut. There are so many interesting observations on marriage, cultural expectations, and the weight of expectations put on woman to be mothers, then on mothers to take on multiple roles often to loss of self.
I know that in life we do not always get happy endings but, this one felt particularly cruel. What had been an emotionally charged novel suddenly turned Grimm Fairy Tale, or perhaps a cautionary tale of what happens to women who do not bend to societal norms. It made my blood run cold and left me incredibly angry.
ETA: I love stories involving motherhood, particularly when they are grittier and highlight difficulties, PPD/PPA, etc. While this book started off that way, I did not appreciate the emotional manipulation.
I initially thought this was an impressive, and ambitious debut. There are so many interesting observations on marriage, cultural expectations, and the weight of expectations put on woman to be mothers, then on mothers to take on multiple roles often to loss of self.
I know that in life we do not always get happy endings but, this one felt particularly cruel. What had been an emotionally charged novel suddenly turned Grimm Fairy Tale, or perhaps a cautionary tale of what happens to women who do not bend to societal norms. It made my blood run cold and left me incredibly angry.
ETA: I love stories involving motherhood, particularly when they are grittier and highlight difficulties, PPD/PPA, etc. While this book started off that way, I did not appreciate the emotional manipulation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
gonna cry myself to sleep
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