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mszurawski's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really liked this book’s exploration of religion and science and the space between on the Venn diagram. Gifty felt so real, and I enjoyed grappling with the big questions with her. I’ve been reading lots of books with switching perspectives and sprawling histories, so I found myself wanting to zoom in to her mom’s storyline and hear her history. The writing was excellent and there were so many powerful lines that really will stick with me. I did feel like the ending just popped up and I wasn’t ready for it. I’m happy with that ending for Gifty but do wish we could have journeyed there with her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism and Suicide attempt
agnesg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Excrement, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
mair_mcc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Alabama. The writing style of this book was nothing short of moving. The multiple topics, all very difficult, were woven together in a way that made them interesting, gripping, heartbreaking & relatable all at the same time. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of this author's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death
elenai7's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
incredible book I think the first book I have ever read that has cultural references I can actually relate to and understand. Transcendent Kingdom has made me realise and want to start reading more books that can do this for me. I really enjoyed the religious parts of this book which i didn’t have an understanding of before reading, but that i now appreciate more. I found pretty much every character likable despite their flaws. The way this book was written was perfect, Yaa Gyasi has a real talent for writing. I know that i am going to be thinking about this book for a very long time!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, and Grief
cjcollins's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
ailendb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Suicide attempt
cingram9's review against another edition
Wonderful book, but found it too activating as someone who has worked in addictions. I wish I could handle it, I was really enjoying it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Drug abuse and Drug use
miamcmillan's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
i’m really glad i read this. it made me think about some topics i hadn’t considered properly before and i think it’s a really stupendous take on the intersection of science and religion. gyasi writes with such a human care and a quiet power which underlined every single word. from the exploration of gifty’s relationship with her mother to her portrait of nana and all his beauty, the whole novel was incredibly moving. i particularly loved how even though at points i disliked every single character, gyasi’s writing brings back round the idea of transcendence and i ended up loving each one of them even as i cried for their losses and wanted to distance myself from their mistakes. it was absolutely immersive. i genuinely think the last few paragraphs are one of the most beautiful i have read in a while:
“i’m no longer interested in other worlds or spiritual planes. i’ve seen enough in a mouse to understand transcendence, holiness, redemption. in people, i’ve seen even more.
from the back pew, christ’s face is the portrait of ecstasy. i stare at it, and it changes, goes from angry to pained to joyful. some days, i sit there for hours, some days mere minutes, but i never bow my head. i never pray, never wait to hear god’s voice, i just look. i sit in blessed silence, and i remember. i try to make order, make sense, make meaning of the jumble of it all. always, i light two candles before i go.”
“i’m no longer interested in other worlds or spiritual planes. i’ve seen enough in a mouse to understand transcendence, holiness, redemption. in people, i’ve seen even more.
from the back pew, christ’s face is the portrait of ecstasy. i stare at it, and it changes, goes from angry to pained to joyful. some days, i sit there for hours, some days mere minutes, but i never bow my head. i never pray, never wait to hear god’s voice, i just look. i sit in blessed silence, and i remember. i try to make order, make sense, make meaning of the jumble of it all. always, i light two candles before i go.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Grief, and Suicide attempt
thisislaura's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-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
Lots of big themes packed into this family drama. Faith vs reason, the immigrant experience in the American South, addiction, mental health, spiritual vs medical healing. Very beautiful and thought provoking. Would be an excellent book club choice as there is plenty to talk about here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Suicide attempt
thepassivebookworm's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racial slurs, and Racism