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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
This is one of those books that you just know is going to be beautiful from the very first line. And it is just that…. poignant and painful and beautiful. With that being said, I feel as though it’s important to give a content warning (CW) for addiction, death by overdose, and attempted suicide. Please be aware of that before you pick this story up, if you pick it up (it’s mentioned in the blurb of the novel as well but I wanted to mention it here too, since I do absolutely recommend this book).
Laced in perseverance, truth, pain, faith, and love, Transcendent Kingdom is the story of a family struggling through loss (in terms of death, mental health, being left behind, etc.). Told through the eyes, mind, and journal entries of Gifty, a young Black woman who is a PhD candidate specializing in neuroscience at Stanford, it doesn’t shy away from the real and raw myriad of feelings that come with losing a person in all of the various different ways one can (and Gifty has faced loss in them all). It outlines just how someone’s past can shape their future and just how unexpected that can be (for example, Gifty never expected her big brother to be the reason behind her entire life’s work). It is heartfelt and heartbreaking and absolutely masterful. A stunning tribute to families, the left behinds, and the carrying-ons.
5/5 stars, easily
Laced in perseverance, truth, pain, faith, and love, Transcendent Kingdom is the story of a family struggling through loss (in terms of death, mental health, being left behind, etc.). Told through the eyes, mind, and journal entries of Gifty, a young Black woman who is a PhD candidate specializing in neuroscience at Stanford, it doesn’t shy away from the real and raw myriad of feelings that come with losing a person in all of the various different ways one can (and Gifty has faced loss in them all). It outlines just how someone’s past can shape their future and just how unexpected that can be (for example, Gifty never expected her big brother to be the reason behind her entire life’s work). It is heartfelt and heartbreaking and absolutely masterful. A stunning tribute to families, the left behinds, and the carrying-ons.
5/5 stars, easily
emotional
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So beautiful and honest it feels like a memoir. Can't wait to read more of Gyasi's work.
This was a very tough read that hit really close to home in an already emotional time in my life. Addiction, especially to opiates, is something that has affected my family in hard ways. Suicide is another. This book needs trigger warnings. I was unprepared for how emotional I would get reading about Nana and his addiction and the repercussions it has on his sister and mother. Crying in airports is embarrassing.
I enjoyed the looseness of the plot and the beauty of the prose. Gyasi is a gifted writer and storyteller. I did not enjoy this one as much as Homegoing though, mostly because I felt like this one was a bit more pedantic and hits the reader over the head with “lessons” or philosophical musings. I felt like it was a bit like reading a lecture.
I enjoyed the looseness of the plot and the beauty of the prose. Gyasi is a gifted writer and storyteller. I did not enjoy this one as much as Homegoing though, mostly because I felt like this one was a bit more pedantic and hits the reader over the head with “lessons” or philosophical musings. I felt like it was a bit like reading a lecture.
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This was so good, I'm not sure if I can put into words all the things that I liked about it. Gyasi is not a scientist, but she could have fooled me. It's rare to see a novel from the perspective of someone who does research like I do, and even more uncommon for them to get it right. So I loved that aspect, but more than anything I was hooked by her thoughtful treatment of Gifty's relationship with Christianity throughout her life. I imagine this would resonate even more with someone who grew up in a religious household, but even for me I caught snatches of the hypotheticals about God I'd work through in my head as a child, before I stopped thinking about these things so much. The way she wove together questions of faith, neuroscience, addiction, depression, and individuality was so nuanced and thoughtfully done. It was such a different book from Homegoing, I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.
A strong story talking about spirituality, family and science. Interesting and different than my normal reads.
I just loved this. Really connected with the character’s musings on science and religion and family. The emotional impact of the story without overly flowery language and all stemming from the one character (since it was all Gifty’s inner monologue and recollections) was impressive and beautifully done.