Literature Companion: Roots

“Roots” by Alex Haley is subtitled “The Saga of an American Family.” The novel was first published in 1976.

The story revolves around Kunta Kinte, who happens to be an eighteenth century African. He is captured as an adolescent and then sold as a slave in the United States.

The novel covers Kunta Kinte’s life and the lives of his descendants in the United States down to Alex Haley, the author of the novel “Roots.”

The novel was adapted for television. Both the novel and its television adaptation caused a kind of cultural sensation in the United States.

Literature Companion: Roots
Copyright
Chapter One: Introduction
Chapter Two: Plot Overview
Chapter Three: Characters
Chapter Four: Complete Summary
Chapter Five: Critical Analysis