Home (Morrison novel)

Home is a 2012 novel by Nobel Prize-winning author Toni Morrison. Set in the 1950s, primarily in Georgia and the fictional town of Lotus, it tells the story of Frank Money, a young African American veteran returning from the Korean War. Traumatized by his experiences in the war and haunted by the atrocities he witnessed, Frank struggles with PTSD and survivor's guilt.

The novel follows Frank's arduous journey back to his childhood home in Lotus, Georgia, prompted by a desperate plea from his younger sister, Cee. Cee, after suffering exploitation and abuse at the hands of a doctor who claimed to provide medical care, is in dire need of her brother's help.

Home explores themes of trauma, the enduring legacy of racism and segregation in the American South, the search for healing and redemption, the importance of family and community, and the complex definition of "home." Frank's journey is not only a physical one, but also a psychological and emotional one, as he confronts his past and attempts to find a sense of belonging and purpose.

Morrison employs a narrative structure that includes both Frank's first-person perspective and a third-person omniscient narrator who provides context and insight into the social and political realities of the time. The novel is characterized by Morrison's signature lyrical prose and unflinching portrayal of the African American experience. Home grapples with the idea that "home" is more than just a physical location, but rather a place of acceptance, healing, and self-discovery.