Rootless by Krystle Zara Appiah

The central theme for me is motherhood. Efe’s experience shows how nobody can prepare you for what to expect when it comes to being a mother.

Annabelle Obie

Published on January 15, 2024

2 min read

A beautiful yet tragic love story, Rootless narrates the story of Efe and Sam, their journey from friendship to becoming life partners, and the ups and downs of their marriage.

It was hard to put down this book once I picked it up. I enjoyed reading about Efe’s growth from a child who had reservations about relocating to the UK to becoming a woman who withstands the pressure from African Mothers.

The central theme for me is motherhood. Efe’s experience shows how nobody can prepare you for what to expect when it comes to being a mother. Most men are oblivious to what their wives go through after bringing a child into the world. Then, you are expected to do it at least three times after the first child.

Do we actually own our bodies after giving birth??

Serwaa’s motherhood experience differs from Efe’s, showing that every woman’s experience differs. Some are lucky, some aren’t lucky, while some are left hanging on a thin thread.

I didn’t like that Efe and Sam didn’t discuss important things such as career goals, children, and others before getting married. If they did, a lot of misunderstandings would have been avoided.

We all know having African parents with high expectations is never easy. There is the pressure to get a high-paying job, the pressure to get married, and then the pressure to have kids. I am so happy that in the middle of all this chaos, Efe could tune out what her mother and husband wanted for her and found her own path, although it came with a price.

How I loved Nanadwoa’s character! She represents the rising percentage of African youth who no longer want to conform to societal expectations.

My most minor favorite character has got to be Efe’s mum, who, through her eyes, you see what most African mothers expect from their girls. A mother who couldn’t forgive her child till it became too late. A mother who knows the trauma that comes with motherhood but yet ignores her daughter’s not to go through such again.

This is definitely on my 2024 recs list. If you see it calling to you at a bookstore, grab it!!!!!

Written by Annabelle Obie

Annabelle has been a lover of reading from a tender age. She has an avid interest in African literature because through those books, she has visited various African countries. She has a hunger to learn about other cultures from reading and wants to share her reading experience with the world.