Reviews

Ein erhabenes Königreich by Yaa Gyasi

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tyara02's review against another edition

4.0

Teetering between a 3.5 and a 4, this book was a real mixed bag for me. I found the first half to be really difficult to get into, it was slow, extremely character driven and the neuroscience bits seeming to be completely untethered to the rest of the novel. The second half I really enjoyed, I started to feel more compassionate towards Gifty, her mum, her goals, until the last page which seemed like a rushed attempt to close it all out, not really tying up any of the loose ends that were left just a page earlier. I am glad I read it, though I really wish I enjoyed it more.

the_kooky_monster's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

lexiefolkerts's review against another edition

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emotional sad 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

5.0

Wow this book touched my heart. I cried quite a lot. While I’m blessed that addiction has never been too close to me, I felt her pain so deeply. And even though I didn’t grow up religious I could understand the shame and guilt and longing to be a good girl. Her relationship with her mother, father, and brother all spoke to me. I felt her pain. I also feel pain from friends I’ve had that are just as closed-off and evasive as she. Really good book.

samhanson's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

4.0

launb's review against another edition

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5.0

The main character, Gifty, easily weaves together the story of her life and choices from her childhood to becoming a successful scientific researcher. On the way I learnt of the toll emigration took on her family and her identity, about why and how her religious identity was shaped by her experience of racism and loss, and the influence this had on her research and hopes for the future.

Each character is flawed and deeply human. For me, this means I got to really to know Gifty and those that were important to her with little judgment and a fair share of compassion.