Reviews

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

madqueenk's review against another edition

hopeful 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? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

shailydc's review against another edition

4.0

Yaa Gyasi does a fantastic job in this book seamlessly weaving Gifty's past into her present. In reality, there isn't much happening and we know how most of the characters will end up from early on but the journey through Gifty's childhood and how her family transforms is still compelling. There were a few moments where I wondered if I was reading a religious themed book but I don't think it ultimately mattered which religion Gifty grew up with. Her exploration of the childhood parameters she grew up with and how to reconcile that with her adult life resonated strongly for me.

chianna's review against another edition

emotional informative slow-paced

3.5

nastian's review against another edition

5.0

I loved it and at the same it was incredibly hard to read. Transcendent Kingdom was like a bare nerve, so raw, so open.
A believable depiction of religion, death, addiction, mental health issues, without any fluff and beautifully written.

mimid's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

farahsarish's review against another edition

5.0

I typically write and take notes solely in nonfiction texts, but I found myself annotating this book furiously, as if I was reading it for AP English. This book is a masterclass in literature. It is SO well written, one of the best new novels I have read in years. It tackles heavy and painful subjects: friendship, sexuality, racism, immigration, addiction, and poverty. But it is SO good. One of my top reads of 2020 for sure.

kellerko's review against another edition

3.0

I like that this book had a strong female woman of color protagonist who was a scientist. It however was a sad book. She was dealing with a mother with mental illness and a brother who became addicted after he was prescribed medication following a sports injury.

annamay1021's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad 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? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Racism, and Suicide attempt

yazarreola's review against another edition

5.0

Excelente libro, una combinación única de ciencia, espiritualidad, familia. Definitivamente uno de los mejores libros que he leído este año

belletrix's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring fast-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? Yes

5.0