In a Nutshell: Supposed to be a story about a ‘British-Ghanaian marriage in crisis’. Turned out to be a story about two self-centered individuals who don’t know what marriage or parenthood means. Shallow unlikeable characters and jumpy plot development make this a ‘rootless’ novel, struggling to discover where it belongs. This is an outlier review.

Wow, Rootless really took me on an emotional rollercoaster!

The story starts with a bang, throwing you right into the crisis of Efe and Sam's marriage. Their seemingly perfect facade crumbles when Efe vanishes, leaving behind a confused husband and a bewildered child.

Appiah does a fantastic job of developing both Efe and Sam as characters. We see their past as high school sweethearts, their hopes and dreams for the future, and how those dreams have morphed (or even curdled) over time. I especially connected with Efe's struggle to find her own identity as a British-Ghanaian woman caught between cultures and expectations.

The book tackles some tough subjects - societal pressures around motherhood, cultural clashes, and the complexities of love and sacrifice. It doesn't shy away from messy emotions, and I found myself both frustrated and empathetic towards Efe and Sam throughout the story.

While the beginning grabbed me immediately, the middle section felt a bit slow at times. However, the suspense builds again as the mystery of Efe's disappearance unfolds. The ending left me satisfied, yet pondering the characters' futures.

Overall, Rootless is a powerful debut novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys character-driven literary fiction with a touch of mystery.

I started and stopped this one a few times and then received the audiobook and was able to get through it. This was an interesting story about Efe and Sam and their journey as people together and separately. I can tell this one was intended to have a lot of emotions but I could not connect with the characters so the full emotion was not there for me. I enjoyed the dual POVs because I do not think I could have finished this book just listening to one of the two main characters. Overall and okay read that kept me wondering what would happen, only to see it coming, hoping it wouldn't come and feeling indifferent when it did come.

2.5 rounded up to a 3

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for my gifted copy of Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah in exchange for an honest review.

"Rootless" by Krystle Zara Appiah is a profound narrative that dives into the intricacies of relationships, societal pressures, and personal identity. The story begins with Sam's abrupt discovery of his wife Efe's departure to Ghana, leaving behind him and their daughter without any forewarning. Through flashbacks, we witness Efe's journey from Ghana to the UK, where she struggles to adapt to her new environment and grapple with familial expectations. As Efe and Sam's relationship evolves over the years, they face the challenge of an unplanned pregnancy, leading to conflicting emotions and decisions.

The novel tackles heavy themes such as self-harm, pregnancy, postpartum depression, and societal expectations, offering a raw and authentic portrayal of the characters' experiences. Efe emerges as a beautifully complex character, torn between her own desires and external pressures. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into Efe's emotional turmoil and the complexities of her relationship with Sam.

The author adeptly explores the dynamics of mental health challenges and the importance of supportive relationships. Creative outlets are highlighted as valuable tools for navigating these challenges. Additionally, the multicultural setting of the UK and Ghana adds depth to the story, providing both refuge and pressure for the characters.

While the novel's sense of dread builds effectively towards a pivotal event, the ending may leave some readers wanting more closure. Despite this, "Rootless" remains a compelling and emotionally resonant read. Appiah's debut showcases her talent for crafting complex characters and engaging narratives. Overall, "Rootless" is a tragically beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the search for identity.

Wow, this wasn't what I expected but it worked for me! I was expecting this to be a story of a struggling twenty-something couple who couldn't figure things out. But it ended up being a lot more complex a story than that, which i really enjoyed! Really heavy themes of marriage and pregnancy, but i felt really connected to the characters even when they were making poor choices. I felt like even when i didn't agree with them i understood them. I'm looking forward to whatever Appiah writes next!

The structure of this book caused me not to finish it. Maybe if it was written in 1st person it may have been more gripping, but the writing style made me feel so disconnected from all of the characters. There were a lot instances in the writing itself that tended to distract me along the way. Many times where details were given as random afterthoughts.

Whew...this book is an emotional rollercoaster right into the heart of what it means to be a woman, a wife, and a mother. Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah is a powerful debut.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

ROOTLESS
Krystle Zara Appiah

In ROOTLESS we are following Sam and Efe. They are married and have been for some time. They share a child and a lot of baggage. We follow them from the beginning of their relationship to now, when they are in crisis.

Efe has cleaned out their shared checking account and left town. Sam has no idea where she is, if she is coming back, or even if he wants her to.

This was a difficult book to read but you kind of know that going in because the synopsis lays everything out there. Efe was a difficult character to read. She tried to be all that Sam wanted her to be but at the end of the day, it was too much. It was easier to be someone else somewhere else.

There is nothing more dangerous than someone ready and able to leave. Which is why Sam is just as difficult to read but in a different way. Just as devastating. I felt sad for Sam while understanding where Efe was coming from.

I appreciated having that ability to experience and go through something with a character and not having to do it in my real life. I love it when that happens!

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and Penguin Random House Audio for the advanced copies!

ROOTLESS…⭐️⭐️⭐️

On a random morning in the Spring, Sam finds that his wife, Efe, has bought a one way ticket to Ghana and left him (and their 4 year old daughter) with “no warning” and no indication of when she’ll be back. And we are immediately taken back in time to years before, when Efe moved from Ghana to the UK with her sister to finish her education. Struggling to adjust, and live up to her parents’ expectations, Efe meets and finds comfort in Sam’s steadiness and clear plans for his future. And we follow Sam and Efe throughout the years as they draft apart and are brought back together, until they eventually get married. But when they face an unplanned pregnancy, they find themselves on opposite sides of what to do next: Sam is thrilled and Efe…is not. Their choices from there lead, inexorably, to Efe fleeing her family and life back to her home country, the support of her sister, and a chance to re-find herself and ground her future in an identity that truly feels right…a future that may or may not include Sam and their child.

First and foremost, this is a *heavy* read. I am going to list all content warnings here at the beginning so that I can include them all, but hopefully without any specific plot spoilers: self-harm (cutting), pregnancy, postpartum depression, extreme bullying (including physical harm/abuse), abortion, death, car accident, stroke/recovery. I think that’s the major ones? Anyways, just be aware, going in.

Into the primary review now. Most importantly, I was blown away by this debut novel. Efe is one of the most gorgeously, authentically complex female characters I have read in a long time. She is torn between so many needs and expectations, wanting to maintain relationships with those who are important to her, and facing down the burden of what society expects as well, that she just…loses herself. And even after being supported (like, with some really legitimately solid support) back into a better space, she still finds herself disappearing into that same loss of self and just cannot figure out what she needs to do or say to make her actual, personal, human, needs clear. It’s heartbreaking, but so real. And when she finally makes the drastic call to leave it all, because it’s that or lose it all (for real, permanently), I just was cheering for her so hard.

Watching her entire journey to that juncture, she’s just so recognizable (I’m projecting a bit here, but I imagine fairly universally, for women – if not in the exact details/choices she makes, in the way that external pressure to conform to expectations squeezes so much of what makes you an individual, makes you care to keep going/trying). And I loved her for that. But also, it hit me particularly hard, as her specific outlook and feelings about motherhood are very similar to my own. Seeing what happens, as the power in the pull of the tide of societal and cultural expectations, the slow slide into those expectations even if it’s not what you want (because it is overwhelming to fight against alone), leads to motherhood (and everything that happens bearing and raising a child)…it’s almost exactly what I don’t want, what I fear, and even though I have more clear/outspoken partner support on my behalf, reading it was still emotionally devastating.

Actually, I was emotionally responsive, a lot, while reading this. As a person who teaches sex ed, I was so disheartened to see how little awareness there was for pregnancy as a risk of sex, even when prevention steps are taken. I was angry at the doctor for misleading how protective birth control could be. And I was angry when Sam never really considered Efe’s position after they found out, even though she had been pretty clear about her feelings. Even more angry because miscommunication is one of my least favorite romance tropes and really, these two entered a relationship while skirting around this very central issue (having kids) and just hoping and assuming the other would come around to their side…when has that ever worked? And OMG I was angry when Sam was pissed off and offended and unforgiving when Efe ended up taking decisions into her own hands because even knowing, for years, how she felt, he refused to consider any options that she needed/asked for. Like, that’s not betrayal, she told you and you never even entertained it with a conversation! Get out of here with that shit. It was almost worse that he was written in so many other ways like a “perfect” guy, written as such purposefully and accurately (hats off to Appiah), yet still gave no true space to let Efe speak and act on her motherhood and mental health (and bodily and life) needs. Yikes – I got going there and it just spiraled. See? Told you I was emotionally invested. Phew!

Back to a more even-keeled area. I thought Appiah did a great job tracing the rise and fall, the ebbs and flows, of mental health challenges over the course of a lifetime with a variety of supportive styles showcased alongside. I also loved the many ways that creative outlets are highlighted as helpful in working through mental health challenges. There was a really wonderfully written literary parallel between Efe and Sam’s mother, Rebecca, which did great things for the narrative development and the nuance of Sam as a character in his own right, and not just in relation to Efe. And in general, I felt like the family members for both Efe and Sam, the primary side characters in this novel, were all solid in their own rights. I also enjoyed the multicultural setting, the UK and Ghana, and how they were intertwined and both provided refuge and pressure and reinforcement in different ways, positive and not, in turn, throughout.

The sense of dread that built in me with the chapters bringing us closer to “the event” was palpable, y’all. That is quality writing. And when it happens…it’s my only criticism with the book. I just. It was so good, so nuanced, so well written and developed, and I could gush for a while longer, but you get it. And then. I don’t know. I’m not a writer and I assume finding the right ending is tough. But this, this was so hard for me to swallow. Like, it’s not not possible. Honestly, it’s believable. Things like that happen all the time, everywhere. And yet. I was so bought in to Efe and Sam and felt like I was cheated out of a real resolution. I’m trying so hard not to give spoilers (it’s hard). But it just crushed the story arc for me. And I hate that that happened. Don’t get me wrong though, I sure did cry. Especially at the photo scene. Ooooof. So, clearly I remained at least partially emotionally invested.

Overall, this was a surprisingly tragic, but in a very genuine real-life way, star-crossed childhood sweethearts novel. And like I said, one of the best-written female characters I have read in a long time. I can’t believe this is a debut and I will be keeping my eye out for more for Appiah. If you’ve been considering this one, or even if you’ve never heard of it before but it sounds interesting, you should definitely give it a go.

Another book I read in February but didn't review until December! There was a lot to love about this debut. I think the author has a great grasp on building tension and creating fully fleshed out, realized characters. Efe is a very flawed character, who grapples with parenthood and the choices she's made in life. Her actions didn't always make sense to me, which made her a frustrating character to read about but I think Appiah is a skilled enough writer to allow room for empathy towards her. I will say, the ending of this book came completely out of nowhere and seemed unnecessary to me. But I'll definitely pick up the next thing she writes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

This was such an interesting story! I really enjoyed the unique plot and the characters. I look forward to the author’s next work!

This book was really good. I read the description when I initially added the book but I didn't reread it when I started to read it so essentially I went into the book blind. I'm glad I picked this one up. One thing about Efe, she's gonna live in her truth and do what's in her best intrests regardless of who likes it or who's affected by it. This unfortunately left a lot of damage and destruction in her path. I think Sam had a lot of patience with her and did the honorable thing (for the most part). The thing I appreciated the most was the love each other had for one another regardless of the circumstances or selfish decisions. Trigger warnings for self mutilation, post partum depression, abortion.

This was a heartbreaking tale of what it truly means to be restless and rootless. On the outside Sam and Efe had the perfect marriage but nothing is what it seemed as Efe is restless leaving her to question everything and her family reeling. Beautifully written but heartbreaking all the same.
Thank you #ballantine and #NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Decent story. However, it was hard to connect with the characters. The pacing was a little slow for me as well.

One afternoon after Sam realizes Efe took a large sum from their bank account, he rushes home to find her gone. After several unanswered phone calls Sam is franti, but finally gets in touch with Efe;s sister and finds out she’s 5000 miles away. Efe and Sam are both children of immigrant African parents, and are living int he UK while their parents are still in Ghana. Efe has always felt the pressure from her parents to go to college and get the perfect respectable job, but Efe wants to be an artist, and the pressure from her parents gives her bouts of depression. After failing out of school Efe starts working at a gallery and immersing herself in the art world. Sam is a safe bet for Efe as he is in school to be a lawyer, he provides safety and stability, and she does truly love him. An unplanned pregnancy causes Efe sadness and strife. She does not want a child as she is working on herself. Sam however is ecstatic about the pregnancy. Sam is so excited to be a father he cannot see how sad Efe is. Once the baby comes Efe falls into a deep depression. As the relationship spirals Efe continues to feel she is losing herself. As Sam struggles to find out why Efe left, Efe starts finding herself. Times goes by and the couple has to find out if they really want to make this work and what it will take to get back to the lover they shared.


Thank you Random House and NetGalley for this ARC

An emotional and gripping story of a married couple in crisis and how they work to move forward. I enjoyed the journey the characters took me on as well as the flow of the book. It kept my interest and was very intriguing. I plan to look for more works from this author in the future. well done.

This was an impressive debut by this author. The premise of this book sounded promising and the cover caught my attention. However, I found it hard for me to connect with the characters. I think that if it would've been written in first person, it would've gripped me. I felt some sort of disconnect and felt that the pacing and flow was off. The format was confusing because of the past and present timelines. I also felt like that ending was just for shock factor because it came out of nowhere and I wasn't happy about it. Nonetheless, I commend the author for this beautifully written book. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Some days I daydream about finding my passport,buying a one way flight and seeing what outside feels and looks like. Reading this book made me crave the previous statement more.

Special thanks to @amara.reads and for buddy reading it with me, she facilitated a great discussion about the many ways we become mothers and how one survives.

This is the story about a Nigerian woman named Efe and how she became and felt as a mother, wife, sibling and child, it is told over twenty years from the perspective of her and her husband, Sam.

Appiah tells a whole story, she gave Efe an entire life, her husband played the role of father who thought his career was more important than the family he begged for and therefore the family must suffer. Appiah showed women as the heroine of their own life but still not good enough without a family. I was so happy to see her choose herself. (I too am team FTK!) She was able to experience friendships and her art the way she wanted to. Many women do not get the opportunity to choose themselves. This novel tells you what that could cost.

This is another one that will leave you in tears, well worth the read. Check in on your mom friends.

I am really struggling to try and review this book without giving spoilers.
There was a lot that worked for me in the story. In particular I was really interested in seeing how young immigrants from Ghana live and find community in London. Those chapters from the past I enjoyed immensely.
What didn't work for me? Efe and Sam's relationship! They knew she didn't want to be a mother, they knew Sam wanted to be a father and they still got married. This was doomed to fail from the get go.
What else didn't work for me? Adult Sam. As a husband and a father. Garbage.
Also, Efe's parents. I can't say why, because it would spoil part of the plot, but as a mother myself, I cannot relate.
I knew from the very beginning where the ending was heading, but that didn't make it any less heartbreaking.
Most of all, what really didn't work for me is how realistic the depiction of postpartum depression and the struggles of motherhood felt! It made me uncomfortable, which was the point. So, I guess that part was well done, really. Honestly, this book infuriated me. When I originally finished it, I wanted to give it 2 stars. I knew that wasn't fair, but I felt like I really didn't like it. Then I sat with it for a while, and I find that even months after finishing the story I still recall the plot. It stuck with me, the red-hot anger has subsided and now it's an easy 4 star book for me. Let's call it acquired taste.

I had high expectations for this book, initially drawn to its captivating cover and intriguing premise. However, I failed to establish a connection with the characters, causing the story to feel disjointed and lacking flow, in my opinion. Additionally, certain aspects of the subject matter were challenging to digest, prompting me to frequently set the book aside. Nevertheless, I must commend the author for the beautiful and well-crafted writing in this novel. I remain optimistic and eager to explore any forthcoming endeavors by this author. .