Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Ein erhabenes Königreich by Yaa Gyasi

485 reviews

kaitlyncookies's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes

4.75

An excellent novel for anyone looking for an honest, nuanced depiction of an individual’s relationship to religion and science.

***

Transcendent Kingdom is a novel told in vignettes that go back and forth between the main character Gifty’s childhood/adolescence and the present day where she is an adult. Because it is non-linear it did take me a bit of time to get into it, but Gyasi’s prose kept my attention. The novel’s structure lends itself well to its subject matter, the grey area of religion and spirituality. 

This novel is very nuanced because the main character’s faith is shaken by a tragedy that lacks the sudden senselessness of a more spontaneous death. Instead Gifty witnesses the drawn out demise that often accompanies addiction. In my opinion this book had a very accurate depiction of a loss of faith, in that it is less like a switch being turned off, but more like a river that over time loses its intensity and may totally dry up in some seasons, or forever. 

Gyasi’s prose feel so honest that this novel reads more like a memoir. The scientific side of this novel was also incredibly realistic and an interesting counterpoint to Gifty’s spiritual upbringing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse

Moderate: Suicide attempt

Minor: Bullying

rebecca1's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide

elisecesmat's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Drug use, and Death

verysillygoose's review against another edition

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Mental illness

Moderate: Racism, Abandonment, and Death

lyricallit's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, and Grief

silverrose187's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Racism, Mental illness, Addiction, and Death

tilda_bookworm's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Loved this one. Absolutely raced through it. It's beautiful and real and painful and comforting. Sensitive exploration of some weighty themes. Part of me wants to start reading it again from the beginning immediately. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug use, Death, Mental illness, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Racism

Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail

elienore's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Death, and Drug use

streetmuseums's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

reading this on a plane was a mistake.  so good 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, and Suicide attempt

yxz2495's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Addiction