Reviews with content warning for Racial slurs - Transcendent Kingdom

A deeply moving book that led its readers to confront a multitude of vulnerabilities & draw strength from them in a story driven by strong character analyses. Gifty was in search for answers, wanting to make sense of the loss of her brother (to addiction) & mother (to depression).

Perhaps, I'm being biased; there were many parallels between Gifty & I - we're both in the same field (though focused on different approaches), we're both grappling with our purpose & how our past (relating to mental illness) influenced it, and we're both struggling with our faith & it's place in our life. Transcendent Kingdom explored all of these, & for that, it became special to me.

The book cemented my view that Gyaasi is a master storyteller. Gyaasi's proses were effortlessly beautiful; structured in concise paragraphs, flowed between differing timeline, held by the topic being contemplated. I adored how some analogies stayed & repeated (though not overly done), embedded within the tapestry of the story. The characters were dynamic; even in their death, or brief appearances, they were significant in a way that highlighted their impact, no matter how brief, in Gifty's life (i.e. the narrator). Do note that for those who preferred plot-driven story with clear resolution, you may found the story difficult to follow. But I still think that the contemplative & wise manner Gifty shared her thoughts & her experience were more than compelling; as a narrator, she was a unique voice.

This story felt like it was written for me specifically. I found a kindred spirit in Gifty. The book was relatively short, but I took my time to savour, to reflect on the stories relayed by her. I found myself needing breaks in between; purely because the story led me to my own discoveries. Gifty's "letters" to God really hit me hard.

I know I will sound cringey, but the book was rather transcending to me - it led me to go beyond the barriers I placed around my feelings. The book moved me to tears. One of my best reads. And Gyaasi is also becoming one of my favourites.

Content Warnings

gracecooper's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Wonderful. Had to stay up all night to finish

Content Warnings

aarsan24's review against another edition

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dark 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

5.0

Content Warnings

noshelfcontrolll's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring sad slow-paced

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

5.0

While it took me a bit to get into, I am in love with this book. The way that Yaa Gyasi speaks about grief and addiction is heartbreaking, but her addition of Gifty’s inner struggle with science and religion, and how she reconciled with the events happening in her life in contrast to what she is told in church is absolutely beautiful.

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