Ghana Must Go
Ghana Must Go
Book Brief
336
Novel • Fiction
Ghana; United States • Contemporary
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In Taiye Selasi's debut novel, Ghana Must Go (2013), Ghanaian surgeon Kweku Sai dies of a heart attack, leaving his estranged family to navigate the aftermath. His children, residing in America, confront their personal struggles and past traumas as they prepare for his funeral in Ghana. The narrative explores themes of parental inadequacy, abandonment, and the complex dynamics within the Sai family. This book addresses themes including addiction and trauma.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Bittersweet
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
13,247 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Taiye Selasi’s Ghana Must Go has been praised for its lyrical prose and complex portrayal of family dynamics. Critics appreciate the rich cultural insights and emotionally charged narrative. Some, however, found the fragmented structure challenging and felt certain characters were underdeveloped. Overall, it's a compelling debut that showcases Selasi's literary potential.
Who Should Read Ghana Must Go?
Readers who enjoy multifaceted family sagas and explorations of identity in a globalized world, akin to works like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's Half of a Yellow Sun or Jhumpa Lahiri's The Namesake, will find Taiye Selasi's Ghana Must Go deeply engaging and emotionally resonant.
13,247 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ghana Must Go marks the debut of Taiye Selasi, a novelist and photographer, and has been celebrated for its lyrical prose and exploration of transnational identities.
The novel was selected as one of the Best Books of 2013 by notable publications including The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist.
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Taiye Selasi coined the term "Afropolitan" in a 2005 essay, which explores the identity of Africans who navigate multiple cultures, a theme central to Ghana Must Go.
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336
Novel • Fiction
Ghana; United States • Contemporary
2013
Adult
18+ years
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