Historical · Family saga
Roots
Starting in an African village with Kunta Kinte, who is captured and sent to America as a slave, the novel follows his descendants through generations to the author's own family.
Facts last checked 2026-10-17
- First published
- 1976
- Pace
- Medium
- Length
- Long
- Pages
- 688
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a sweeping family saga that confronts the history of slavery in America.
Skip this if you cannot read harrowing scenes of cruelty and suffering.
The feel
Content warnings
Quick answers about Roots
- What is Roots about?
- Starting in an African village with Kunta Kinte, who is captured and sent to America as a slave, the novel follows his descendants through generations to the author's own family.
- Who should read Roots?
- Read it if you want a sweeping family saga that confronts the history of slavery in America. Skip it if you cannot read harrowing scenes of cruelty and suffering.
- How long and how fast is Roots?
- It is a medium-paced, long read of about 688 pages, first published in 1976.
- Does Roots have content warnings?
- Content we flag: Slavery, Racism, Violence, Abuse, Sexual assault.
- Can I borrow Roots for free?
- Often, yes. Check Libby (OverDrive) to see whether your library lends Roots; the borrow button above searches it for you.
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Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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