The first half was phenomenal. The fact that Gyasi has written such a sweeping work of historical fiction, in 300 pages, with a multitude of characters, and it all hangs together so well is mind-blowing. She finished this book, her debut, when she was 26, and didn't write an outline. The family tree, which runs from 18th century Ghana to the present day, is what guided her.

It was the second half of this book that prevented it from being a 5 star read for me. I felt a little less connected to and invested in the characters and the pace slowed down a little. Still some great chapters though and they were each important in their own right. And although I think I get what Gyasi intended with the end, it felt a little contrived for me. 

Overall, an amazing read and I'll definitely be recommending this to many people.

P.S. I also read this as part of a 'buddy read' via Instagram, where you read up to a certain point each week. I was reading one-two other fiction books at the same time (which is very out of the norm for me) and so the pauses in reading may have had an effect on my experience, especially where the second half was concerned.