A fantastic debut novel that touches on some sensitive yet important topics. The writing style personally wasn’t for me but the storyline was totally unique that it allowed me to enjoy the book. The characters are well thought out and you get a genuinely interesting view into their lives but the heavy topics may make this novel triggering for some.

This book demonstrated the struggles woman go through, especially those coming from a background where woman do most of the child care.
Efe was clearly struggling with motherhood and her husband Sam (who tried to be a good husband), was oblivious to her mental state.

Was an interesting read

Good debut book!

I didn't know what to make of this book at the beginning, but by the end, I was in love with it, and with the characters. Efe moves from Accra to London as a teenager, and from there goes through life, trying to work out who she is, what she wants, who she wants, and where she belongs. Often cast in stark contrast to Serwaa her sister, the happy younger sister who marries and takes to motherhood like a natural.

Efe and Sam's relationship is beautiful, navigating their path from friends, to more, to not speaking, to the hopes of a reconciliation. The tolls and trials of motherhood are central to the story, and that makes Efe feel even more real and vulnerable.

I can't say that I saw the ending coming, and it does leave me wanting more for her, better for her, as she finally embraces where she is and what she is doing.

Overall, a beautiful read, and such a glimpse into Ghanaian culture.

This was such a heart-wrenching book! A tale of two lovers from teens into adulthood, set over 20 years. Starting with a chapter set '5 months before', the first half of the book then jumps back to 20 years before and works its way back almost to the starting point, and the second half then continues on from that point. It's a long timeline and with the first half being mostly one chapter set sometime during each year, sometimes a lot did happen in between the chapters so I feel like some of them could have been a little bit longer? But I loved that it let us see their relationship right from the start rather than joining partway through and just picking up the past from things they thought or discussed together.
Both Sam and Efe were such complex characters and seeing them over such a long amount of time meant you got to see them at their best and their worst. I think it was great but it did mean that at times I didn't like them. It was odd though, I liked Sam less as the book went on but Efe more! They definitely sometimes made poor choices and I wasn't keen on the cheating but I won't say too much about that. I don't want to give anything away but although I feel like I would have handled things quite differently, I definitely felt for Efe because I can relate to her and felt sorry for the ways Sam pressured her. It's also not a view I've seen covered a lot in books so it was nice to see it playing such a big part in Rootless.
I'd definitely recommend giving this a read!

Thanks to Krystle Zara Appiah, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for allowing me to read an ARC of this book. I cannot believe that this is a debut novel!


Expected publication: 21/03/2024


Synopsis:


Rootless follows a married couple’s, Sam and Efe, journey navigating through a turbulent time which forces Efe to leave Sam stranded with their toddler while she flies home to Ghana without leaving so much as a note?! Sam’s shock at Efe’s departure forces him to reconcile with the part he played to lead Efe to take such a drastic step. 


Sam and Efe met as teenagers and everyone thought they were meant to be. Efe, an immigrant from Ghana, trying to navigate her way around a new life whilst also trying to live up to her parents expectations. Sam a comfort in Efe’s new life giving her support and focus through his solid plan for their future. Little to his knowledge that Efe is finding his unwavering vision stifling. On the outside they appear to be the perfect couple but the closer you peer the cracks become more and more visible.


Krystle does an amazing job flipping between not only the present day Sam and Efe’s viewpoint and also the younger version. I fell in love with the flawed characters and in equal measure this book had me screaming in anger and crying in despair at the rawness of the journey of motherhood that Efe has endured. 


Overall, I would thoroughly recommend this book if you want to read a heartbreakingly raw novel about love, belonging and motherhood.


Please read trigger warnings before reading this novel

First of all, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for approving me an ARC of Rootless! I just realized that this book has been out in the US for a while now and that I've actually been eyeing this book with the US cover?? so I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to read it now!

I really enjoyed my time reading this book. The writing is sharp and easy, and it gripped me from start to finish. I'm a big fan of character-driven stories and I would categorize this as one! The characters were written really well and so it's not hard for me to care for these characters, especially Efe. I also really liked the format of this book with us being introduced to these characters in the present first before jumping back towards the past. It made me want to know what happened to these characters and what could possibly have changed their behaviors and their thoughts that made the "present" happen.

However, even though this book was easy to read, I wouldn't say it's an easy book. The characters aren't always easy to love (especially that later half) but what I liked about this book is that we get to see what made them like that. In truth, sometimes reading from Efe's POV felt suffocating - I felt like I was panicking with her and it made me feel so much for her during that. I also really loved how the topic of motherhood was discussed in this.

This is a really well written book with some interesting themes explored. Appiah is a fresh voice and I can't wait to read what they write next.

Rootless” by Krystle Zara Appiah is a captivating debut novel that delves into the life of a career-oriented woman navigating societal expectations. The narrative beautifully intertwines themes of motherhood, marital conflicts, parental relationships, and cultural identity. Set against the backdrop of both the UK and Ghana, the alternating settings offer readers a rich tapestry of diverse experiences and perspectives. Appiah’s skillful storytelling keeps readers engaged as they explore the complexities of modern life and the search for belonging across continents. A must-read for those seeking a thought-provoking journey through the intricacies of identity and ambition.

Many thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC in exchange of honest review!

"Rootless" is a captivating narrative that delves into the intricate themes of marriage, family dynamics, parenthood, postpartum struggles, and the profound essence of forgiveness.

At the heart of the story is Efe, a poised and resolute young woman, who embarks on the journey of marriage with her longtime confidant and soulmate, Sam. Despite her unwavering clarity on the boundaries of matrimony, the shades of life's complexities reveal themselves in unforeseen ways when relationships intertwine.

What sets "Rootless" apart is its evocative portrayal of cultural heritage and identity. As a British Ghanaian, the narrative resonates deeply with the rich tapestry of Ghanaian roots, weaving a compelling narrative that speaks to the essence of belonging and heritage. The juxtaposition of settings between England and Ghana adds a layer of depth and resonance to the story, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of cultures and traditions.

The narrative's temporal dance between the years 1997 and 2017 adds a sense of anticipation and mystery, with each chapter serving as a poignant countdown to a pivotal, yet undisclosed event. Through its masterful storytelling and nuanced exploration of emotions, "Rootless" invites readers on a profound journey of self-discovery, reflection, and the enduring power of forgiveness.

What a topic of conversation for a book
I feel this is such a universal issue but never often talked about. I cannot wait to dig in to this story and share my thoughts. I also can’t wait to see how this story unfolds and what decisions she makes. I know readers will too!