Powerful and poignant love story, set between Ghana and London, and exploring societal expectations and gender norms

Efe meets Sam when she leaves Ghana to study for her A levels in England. They spend years as best friends before finally getting married. But is even their strong bond enough to hold a marriage together?

Sam's mother left when he was a child, so he helped bring up his sister while his father worked long hours to make ends meet. Sam has always wanted a family of his own. Efe has never hidden that she does not want to have children. She has never felt maternal or comfortable with children, and has career ambitions she wants to fulfil, but societal expectations and gender norms are stacked against her, causing huge strain on her mental health and their marriage, without her family nearby to support her.

As Efe's reservations are revealed to be well founded, despite his assurances, even Sam cannot see the differences in the challenges they face, or that even he has double standards regarding how he thinks they should each behave.

Many aspects resonate, including the judgement and lack of compassion for Efe as she struggles with exhaustion and post-natal depression, compared with the understanding and support given to a new dad for relatively minor tasks and his expectations of being able to ask for help that he would not condone his wife receiving.

As a British Ghanaian, I was so excited to read a book that spoke to both my cultural backgrounds and I was not disappointed. This book really examines whether love alone is enough to conquer all. I'm not usually drawn to "marriage in crisis" tropes but this was done so beautifully and it's even more impressive when you consider that this is Krystle Zara Appiah's debut.

Although the marriage aspect is compelling, the real winner is the commentary on motherhood. The emotional and tender portrayal stays with you long after the story is finished and this is masterfully done by Appiah. I loved the switch up of present day and flashbacks, and while this can get tiring as a narrative structure, Appiah manages to keep it fresh and engaging. With characters that you want to root for, I can't recommend 'Rootless' more.

A very honest and quite difficult look at motherhood and independence. I found this a difficult read due to the subject matter but would return to it in the future when not in current situation

I read a chapter of this and enjoyed it but sadly didn't continue as it wasn't captivating enough to keep me reading.

A devastating and searing exploration into love, marriage and motherhood that explores sacrifice, expectation, compromise, guilt, fear, responsibility and regret. Beautifully written and wonderfully narrated I loved it, but prepare yourself and brace for the heartbreaking ending...

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!

"Rootless" by Krystle Zara Appiah is a poignant and timely novel that delves into themes of identity, displacement, and the search for belonging. The story follows Maya, a young woman navigating the complexities of her dual heritage and the challenges of forging her own path in a world where roots are both a source of strength and struggle.

Appiah's narrative is powerful and evocative, capturing the emotional turmoil and resilience of her protagonist with sensitivity and depth. The novel's exploration of cultural identity and the impact of migration resonates deeply, offering a profound reflection on the universal quest for self-discovery and acceptance.

Overall, "Rootless" is a compelling debut that shines a light on important issues while weaving a compelling and heartfelt story. Appiah's writing is immersive and thought-provoking, making this novel a must-read for anyone interested in stories that explore the complexities of identity and belonging.

It took me a few attempts to read this as it just wasn't sticking for me. I did get to the end in the end but it was hard work and in the end I would say the subject matter just wasn't to my taste.

A stunning, and often heartbreaking, account of marriage and parenthood. I don't think I have ever read any writing as honest as this, and the authors next novels will no doubt be an instant purchase.

Title: "Rootless" by Krystle Zara Appiah: A Thought-Provoking Exploration of Identity and Belonging

"Rootless" by Krystle Zara Appiah is a thought-provoking and beautifully written novel that delves into the complexities of identity and the search for belonging. As a British born Ghanaian I can identify with this book

This book was reviewed as part of my 'What I Read in September' video on YouTube, which can be found here https://youtu.be/AzV15nLK_Eo

Wasn’t sure what to expect from this one but I actually really enjoyed it. Powerful writing with great messages to take home.

This is a beautiful and compelling debut novel about a marriage between two childhood friends, Efe and Sam. They are friends for years before they decide to be together, and the way that their relationship blossoms is presented in a tender and beautiful way. The story goes on to explore their misaligned desires, with Sam desperate to have children, whereas Efe is less than convinced. The way that this tension plays out is interesting, with both characters seemingly unable to understand the other's viewpoint. (This maybe a bit of a spoiler): they do go on to have a child, and it sends Efe spiralling into a extremely unwell mental place, and yet Sam seems unable to believe that Efe wouldn't want a second child. I found that slightly frustrating; sometimes it did feel a little bit like things could have been better resolved if Sam and Efe just talked to each other more! Their honest and raw emotions were so well presented to the reader, and yet hardly ever did they say these things to each other - no wonder they were struggling to understand each other!
Despite this, both Sam and Efe are such interesting characters that you can't help but root for them. In fact, I was rooting for them so much that I consciously ignored the sense that you can feel throughout the book - the sense that something is going to happen, that their quiet hopefulness at being able to find their way back to each other will be fruitless. I let myself believe with them, and was all the more heartbroken for it. But I wouldn't have it any other way. It truly is a beautiful and heartbreaking novel!

Great characters and well written. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this! I thought the characters were so well flushed out, it highlighted such important topics about relationships, children, marriage, education and expectations. Would recommend!

As a mother myself, I was especially interested in the narrative when it delves into the often unspoken complexities of motherhood. It can be a very hard and lonely place to be mentally and the novel presents it in a poignant and emotionally charged way. The protagonist, Efe, emerges as a relatable figure, with her challenges resonating deeply with me.

A emotional read about Ghanaian sisters Efe and Serwaa who move to London to start school.
Efe meets Sam and they fall pregnant. Efe struggles with motherhood and that’s how this story continues.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC

Ghanaian sisters Efe and Serwaa are brought to London to attend school.
Efe meets Sam,they become friends and eventually marry.
Sam wants a family but Efe has no maternal feelings.
Efe finds herself pregnant and struggles with motherhood.
Sam is pushy and wants more children. Efe cannot cope so she leaves her daughter and goes back to Ghana.
Efe is hoping for support from her mother but she stops speaking to her and sides with sam.
I got quite annoyed at Sam and his unfeeling ways but also at Efe for not speaking her mind.
The story goes back and forth from 1997 to 2016 and the chapters are a countdown to an unknown event.
The book leaves you feeling emotional and sad.

First of all, sorry for the delay, I've been waiting to savour this one. Krystle is an old friend of mine and I am so happy and proud to see her write such a stellar, and beautifully packaged book. I rushed out on day one to buy in hardback and it sits proudly on my shelves. Would highly recommend for those that love more literary, but engaging, character-focused stories.

I very much enjoyed this poignant, emotionally powerful and very relatable story about relationships, motherhood and enduring difficult times. Beautifully written and haunting, this is definitely a book that I won't forget for a while. Not quite five stars but not far off.