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agnesg's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Minor: Excrement, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
mair_mcc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Alabama. The writing style of this book was nothing short of moving. The multiple topics, all very difficult, were woven together in a way that made them interesting, gripping, heartbreaking & relatable all at the same time. I cannot wait to get my hands on more of this author's work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal death
ailendb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Suicide attempt
miamcmillan's review against another edition
emotional
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
i’m really glad i read this. it made me think about some topics i hadn’t considered properly before and i think it’s a really stupendous take on the intersection of science and religion. gyasi writes with such a human care and a quiet power which underlined every single word. from the exploration of gifty’s relationship with her mother to her portrait of nana and all his beauty, the whole novel was incredibly moving. i particularly loved how even though at points i disliked every single character, gyasi’s writing brings back round the idea of transcendence and i ended up loving each one of them even as i cried for their losses and wanted to distance myself from their mistakes. it was absolutely immersive. i genuinely think the last few paragraphs are one of the most beautiful i have read in a while:
“i’m no longer interested in other worlds or spiritual planes. i’ve seen enough in a mouse to understand transcendence, holiness, redemption. in people, i’ve seen even more.
from the back pew, christ’s face is the portrait of ecstasy. i stare at it, and it changes, goes from angry to pained to joyful. some days, i sit there for hours, some days mere minutes, but i never bow my head. i never pray, never wait to hear god’s voice, i just look. i sit in blessed silence, and i remember. i try to make order, make sense, make meaning of the jumble of it all. always, i light two candles before i go.”
“i’m no longer interested in other worlds or spiritual planes. i’ve seen enough in a mouse to understand transcendence, holiness, redemption. in people, i’ve seen even more.
from the back pew, christ’s face is the portrait of ecstasy. i stare at it, and it changes, goes from angry to pained to joyful. some days, i sit there for hours, some days mere minutes, but i never bow my head. i never pray, never wait to hear god’s voice, i just look. i sit in blessed silence, and i remember. i try to make order, make sense, make meaning of the jumble of it all. always, i light two candles before i go.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Grief, and Suicide attempt
thisislaura's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
Lots of big themes packed into this family drama. Faith vs reason, the immigrant experience in the American South, addiction, mental health, spiritual vs medical healing. Very beautiful and thought provoking. Would be an excellent book club choice as there is plenty to talk about here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Suicide attempt
aromea's review against another edition
emotional
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicide attempt
abioneil's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
amanda_mh's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
It is a hard read but an important one touching on addiction in the family seen from a young girl. I enjoyed the way the story was told including diary entries and almost felt like a memoir.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Grief, and Suicide attempt
mhinnen's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
“ how does an animal restrain itself from pursuing a reward especially when there is risk involved?”
This is a central question that guides Gifty’s life. The story spans her childhood and young adulthood and was sometimes hard to figure out the linear story. She is born in Ghana and her mom brings her and her older brother to Alabama. Between addiction and depression controlling her family, as well as tension as a Ghanaian child in Alabama, she turns away from her evangelical upbringing and looks for answers in science. Over time she finds the connection between God and science as she works out where faith fits into the picture. I enjoy Yaa Gyasi’s writing style and while intense, this book was interesting and redemptive.
This is a central question that guides Gifty’s life. The story spans her childhood and young adulthood and was sometimes hard to figure out the linear story. She is born in Ghana and her mom brings her and her older brother to Alabama. Between addiction and depression controlling her family, as well as tension as a Ghanaian child in Alabama, she turns away from her evangelical upbringing and looks for answers in science. Over time she finds the connection between God and science as she works out where faith fits into the picture. I enjoy Yaa Gyasi’s writing style and while intense, this book was interesting and redemptive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Drug abuse
Minor: Domestic abuse and Suicide attempt
litlifeguide's review against another edition
5.0
This felt so personal. It didn’t feel like fiction at all, but a memoir instead. Gifty our FMC is a PhD candidate studying reward-seeking behavior, depression, and addiction. As Gifty is going for her PhD, we also see her grief-stricken past. Her relationships with family, addiction, depression, past lovers, and god.
This was really, really beautiful. It was reflective, profound, and heartbreaking. I loved it and you should absolutely read it if you haven’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt