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mayamcdo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.75
atsundarsingh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
I thought this was really complex. I really saw myself in so many moments of it, but I never fully connected to the way the narrative was structured. I think it's one of those books that's important, but not necessarily an enjoyable read either stylistically or on topic. Less of a guaranteed re-read than Gyasi's first book for sure, for me.
jaimygdala's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.75
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Stunning. An exploration of grief and addiction and depression and spirituality/religion. I absolutely loved this book, will likely recommend it to many.
bif's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
5.0
One of the best books i read in 2021 - after homegoing Yaa Gyasi really came back with a banger
sunnycorners's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
baoluong's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t have any quirky bulletin points to summarize my feelings. I have so many feelings no matter what. Ok, let’s start with the pros. I will always love stories about immigrants. They are my bread and butter and answer burning questions that I have about not really wanting to belong but not wanting to stand out. Gifty is the picture perfect image of the American dream. From a single parent family working as a minimum wage job, Gifty is now studying neuroscience at Stanford. No one knows where she came from and she makes it a point to never get close. The five years she’s been there, no one knows about how her father left to go back to Ghana and start a new, better story. No one knows about how her mother has crippling depression and won’t get out of bed. No one especially knows about how her brother died of an opioid addiction as a teenager.
Gifty carries around so much grief. Having to parent yourself always causes damage since you can only rely on yourself. It’s hard to admit that you were only getting by this whole time. But Gifty wants to believe that she’s made it. That she’s ready to move on to starting relationships and a career. Yet, every time she sabotages herself. I relate to that in a way that I can’t bear to say out loud.
The story is an intensely slow burn as we unravel what happened through Gifty’s childhood lenses. She rereads her diary to get glimpses but that’s all they are. Difficult to decipher until it’s translated into Gifty’s adult perspective. There’s a quiet sadness that blankets the entire narrative. There’s an endless struggle of trying and being constantly disappointed. Whether it’s by her mother who only sees the lost sibling in Gifty and refuses to get professional help or Gifty holding resentment towards her absent mother. There’s a lot to unpack and I can’t stop thinking about every facet of Gifty’s life. A broken family that’s still somehow a family.
mmargadonna's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
zw00875's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0