Sankofa: A Reese's Book Club Pick

Enjoyed the book immensely, except for the treatment of the Sankofa image. Protaganist's father dismisses the bird as flying backward. A more powerful interpretation is that the bird (while facing forward) reaches back to pick up a pearl from its past. That's exactly what Anna/Nana does, as she explores her ancestry, makes sense of things, resumes her art. An important opportunity strangely omitted, given the Book Title.

There are many layers in this novel, and one might wish that all were more fully developed. But I appreciate that the novel is tightly written, with enough details to understand the complexities of the main characters and to connect with them.

This novel was based in a country that was obviously Ghana. The capital, Segu, is the name of a town in Mali that was once the capital of an ancient kingdom in the Sahel and other names such as the slave fortress at Cape Coast were changed to a different names. The African words are from languages in Ghana.I found the book quite enjoyable and interesting to read - a story of a mixed race lady in England who travels to Africa to find her father. I liked the ending, which was surprising and perhaps a bit unbelievable for the father's role.The imaginary country is called Diamond Coast instead of Gold Coast, but uses language and customs from Ghana. The fictional country seems to be less powerful than Ghana. The actual revolutionary leader of Ghana was Nkrumah who was recognized worldwide as a great leader, but who destroyed his country economically via mismanagement and corruption. The money became worthless, and the people sank to starvation until Raulings took over and helped the country move to a more prosperous level. But the portrait of a ruling family in Africa was credible.The book has some interesting cultural insights about Britain and Africa that were presented in an interesting and very readable story.

Reading it now. Timely and much needed narrative about the lives of mixed race African women and girls in Britain with do many universal applications! . Romance and marriage do not end racism or solve universal human problems or gender issues. Get an honest origin story instead of the marketing hype of the current diversity and inclusion fad. People should never be a fad or an expedient for anything or anyone.

La búsqueda por la imagen paterna siempre existe en quienes no la tenemos! Ver el valor de esta mujer para viajar en esa búsqueda es motivadora, las lecciones de cultura e historia en el libro lo hacen interesante y el amor de madre-hija lo hace emocional!