Interview with Author Yaa Gyasi
Yaa Gyasi, the acclaimed author of Homegoing, will be participating in the International Literature Festival from September 5-15. The Ghana-born American novelist will be sharing her work at specific events on September 5 and 27.
Gyasi's novel Homegoing has captivated readers with its narrative voice reminiscent of a fairy tale or folk tale. The book chronicles the history of a Ghanaian family through seven generations, from slavery to freedom. Gyasi's writing is a means of creating order from chaos and understanding the questions she has for her projects.
Gyasi's connection to her Ghanaian identity has been rebuilt through trips back to Ghana, particularly during research for Homegoing. She researched the lives of the Fanti and the Asante tribes in Ghana, using The Door of No Return by William St. Clair as a main resource.
In addition to Homegoing, Gyasi's work points out the complicity of the Ghanaians in the slave trade. The novel includes graphic levels of violence, yet hope perseveres in the story.
Gyasi is a graduate of Stanford and the Iowa Writers' Workshop. She is currently visiting Rome on a fellowship from the American Academy and will be staying there until December of this year. From December, she will be residing in Berlin on a fellowship from The American Academy to work on a new book project.
The author expresses concern about the sophomore slump but believes that as long as she feels proud of her work, it is enough. She is not ready to share any details about her new novel yet.
During the festival, Gyasi will be reading from Homegoing on September 5 at 23:00 at Le Bar and an extract from her upcoming novel on September 27 at The American Academy. The full programme for the International Literature Festival can be found on literaturfestival.com.
Gyasi has received numerous accolades for her work. In 2016, she was included in the 5 under 35 from the National Book Foundation and in Granta's Best Young American Novelists. The following year, she won the 2017 PEN/Hemingway award.
The author also discusses the challenges of reconciling her dual identity as both Ghanaian and American, and the impact of being constantly reminded that she is not fully American. Despite these challenges, Gyasi's writing continues to inspire and captivate readers around the world.
Her writing routine involves attempting to write early in the day and having a daily word count goal of 400 words. Despite the pressure to produce, Gyasi believes that as long as she feels proud of her work, it is enough.
We look forward to Gyasi's appearances at the International Literature Festival and eagerly await the release of her new novel.
