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threegoodrats's review against another edition
4.0
This one took me a little bit to get into, I think because rather than moving back and forth between the present and past chapter by chapter, they were tightly enmeshed. It makes sense for the story, because everything happening in the present places Gifty very much in the past as well. Through her work as a scientist, she is trying to understand her brother's addiction and, to some extent, her mother's depression.
I found it challenging to read about what she was doing to the mice in her lab, so that's something to consider if animal cruelty bothers you. I stuck with it because I was interested in the story, but it was made a bit easier given how Gifty herself thought about the mice.
This is a pretty short book but it gives you much to think about. The tension Gifty feels between her science and her religion, the way she uses her research to understand her family but rejects the idea of therapy, how she refuses to let people get close to her. Many aspects of mental and emotional health appear here, and although nothing is tied up neatly I still found it satisfying. This would be a great one for a book group.
I found it challenging to read about what she was doing to the mice in her lab, so that's something to consider if animal cruelty bothers you. I stuck with it because I was interested in the story, but it was made a bit easier given how Gifty herself thought about the mice.
This is a pretty short book but it gives you much to think about. The tension Gifty feels between her science and her religion, the way she uses her research to understand her family but rejects the idea of therapy, how she refuses to let people get close to her. Many aspects of mental and emotional health appear here, and although nothing is tied up neatly I still found it satisfying. This would be a great one for a book group.
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
Still processing, but just so very good. Hyponotic almost, and I was very glad to have it with me on a 7 hour flight in a seat with a broken entertainment system...
abbskortenhoeven's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
smateer73's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It is such a beautiful look into the mind and depression and addiction and what it means to live with those, especially as a scientist and as someone from an African heritage. The book was beautiful, haunting, thought provoking. I devoured it but also wanted to savor every word.
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing! Totally different than Homegoing, but just as good. She is an amazing writer! Great themes of religion, sorrow, science, family. Only complaint is that the ending felt a little tacked on - but I still liked it.
audreychiao's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
grangerdor's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mitskacir's review against another edition
5.0
This was an extremely thought-provoking book about the answers that religion and science can and cannot provide. The setting alternates between the present day, where neuroscientist PhD student Gifty studies reward-seeking behavior and restraint in lab mice, and her childhood growing up in a Ghanaian family living in Alabama and its backdrop of racism, misogyny, stigma against mental illness and addiction, and evangelism. The story focuses on her relationship with her mother, particularly after the death of her brother, Nana, from a drug overdose, and Gifty's relationship with God. Gifty's relationship with God is complicated and nuanced, and changes over the course of her life, but is always present in some way, from relying on Him, to feeling abandoned, to rejecting His existence, to seeking Him. It is a beautiful illustration of someone who is looking for the places were religion and science overlap, and where neither are satisfactory. A really painful book, but very beautiful too.