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teavani's review against another edition
3.0
explores themes of addiction, mental health, depression and the interaction of religion (particularly the Christian faith) in scientific pursuits and life in general
follows Gifty, a neuroscience doctoral student, and her relationships with her family (particularly her mother), God, and her work
after reading homegoing, i definitely had high expectations and while this book was good, i think someone else could get a lot more from it, especially with the overarching religious themes throughout
i did like the protagonist and the scientific research lab/academia setting since i could relate to both
follows Gifty, a neuroscience doctoral student, and her relationships with her family (particularly her mother), God, and her work
after reading homegoing, i definitely had high expectations and while this book was good, i think someone else could get a lot more from it, especially with the overarching religious themes throughout
i did like the protagonist and the scientific research lab/academia setting since i could relate to both
katiebeth80's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
lauriej's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Addiction, Suicide attempt, Medical content, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Mental illness, Drug use, Death, and Child death
Moderate: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
paigewetzel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
A book so different from any other I have read (again - Gyasi continues to amaze me). There were so many threads that pulled on me as Gifty shared her story. The way Gyasi pulls back the many layers of addiction and to love someone with addiction is something I will carry with me. The relationships and struggle and identity that get caught up in the centrifugal force of addiction brought a new perspective to me.
I also immensely appreciated the complexity with which Gyasi discussed religion, God, and spirituality through Gifty, especially a very evangelical Christian faith. This is a branch of Christianity that is often the butt of a joke, often not taken seriously due to a perceived lack of intellectuality or critical eye. It is sometimes a source of shame for those who have histories in this faith tradition. Gyasi does a wonderful job grappling with the challenges this type of faith community often poses but also, through Gifty, exploring the beauty and insights that can be given through this community. The way Gifty meshes her spiritual inclinations with her scientific studies represents how intertwined all our experiences are. We contain no silos, only multitudes. Gyasi illustrates this so poignantly throughout the book. I was moved and I immersed in every moment of it.
I also immensely appreciated the complexity with which Gyasi discussed religion, God, and spirituality through Gifty, especially a very evangelical Christian faith. This is a branch of Christianity that is often the butt of a joke, often not taken seriously due to a perceived lack of intellectuality or critical eye. It is sometimes a source of shame for those who have histories in this faith tradition. Gyasi does a wonderful job grappling with the challenges this type of faith community often poses but also, through Gifty, exploring the beauty and insights that can be given through this community. The way Gifty meshes her spiritual inclinations with her scientific studies represents how intertwined all our experiences are. We contain no silos, only multitudes. Gyasi illustrates this so poignantly throughout the book. I was moved and I immersed in every moment of it.
the_eggelstone's review against another edition
3.0
While I thoroughly enjoyed ‚Homegoing‘, this one left me wanting more. I don’t know if it was the writing style in a diary-like stream of consciousness where memories of main character Gifty, her religious upbringing and her ultimate personal struggles between science and religion, the reverberations of the death of her brother by drug abuse and the cold hard-working mom who slips into a depression after her son‘s death. All heavy themes, but I felt many things were quite stereotypical and left me uninterested. The spiritual battle inside Gifty, her beliefs vs her scientific work did not really convince me.
Things just panned out and happened. I was expecting more emotional scenes and less religion-reflections. I think the book should have said so much more in so many more ways and it delivered very little in the end.
Would highly recommend ‚Homegoing‘ but this one only if you‘re really hooked by the blurb.
Things just panned out and happened. I was expecting more emotional scenes and less religion-reflections. I think the book should have said so much more in so many more ways and it delivered very little in the end.
Would highly recommend ‚Homegoing‘ but this one only if you‘re really hooked by the blurb.
saeta's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
moonlitmeda's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
juli_ahhh's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75