Play Book Tag discussion

I read this (and watched the mini series) when it first came out, and I'm happy to report that it stands the test of time. (Though I doubt the mini-series would) WOW. What a comprehensive spectacular book.

I listened to the 30th anniversary edition read by Avery Brooks he was the PERFECT narrator - I literally didn't have a single complaint. I try to listen to books when I'm doing other things, driving, cooking, cleaning etc, and then read a DTB book when I have some time, but I couldn't put this down - even though I already knew the story.

Reading this through my adult eyes, and in light of what's happening in the US now, this book had so much more of an impact. I didn't realize/remember that Kunta Kinte was actually Alex Haley's ancestor.

The story starts in Africa with a young Kunta Kinte who takes us from birth, to slavery, to fatherhood, to his grandchildren and on. As I was listening, and knowing his slavery time was coming I kept thinking I could change it. "Don't do it Kunta! Your dad told you not to go off on your own." When he was taken, I was stunned by the harshness of it. That a human could just GRAB another human and take them and subject them to 80-days on a ship treated like a rat and then to sell them. The audacity. Mind-boggling.

Aside from the importance of the slavery tale, this is just a well-told story. Great writing, perfect pace, family epic.

Absolutely worth revisiting or reading for the first time.

Ahhh!!! I considered reading this for November and ultimately didn’t, but it is still solidly on my list.

I listened to the audio last year. Totally agree that Avery Brooks does a stupendous job!

It was many only in the last 5-6 years ish that I finally saw the mini-series. I've been wanting to read the book since (I never have). Sounds like I should see if my library has the audio!

I've never read this one, but now I really want to . . .omg, I need another month of this tag.

I read Roots when it first came out, everybody was reading it. And when the series aired in 1977 it seemed as if everyone stayed home to watch. It was all anyone talked about. Glad the book still stands the test of time.