Scan barcode
thealexarachelle's review against another edition
5.0
It’s sad, but I loved it. I appreciated getting into Gifty’s head. Beautifully written.
slflorence99's review against another edition
5.0
I've said more than once that the only thing I didn't like about this book was that I actively had to hold it open while reading. That binding was TIGHT!
Binding aside, this was a beautifully written story that puts in to words the internal struggle so many work through on a daily basis. Yaa Gyasi absolutely nailed the experience growing up in an evangelical church, complete with sweet and cringy moments. The gentleness in which she handled Gifty's journey had me in tears more than once.
“When it came to God, I could not give a straight answer. I had not been able to give a straight answer since the day Nana died. God failed me then, so utterly and completely that it had shaken my capacity to believe in him. And yet. How to explain every quiver? How to explain that once sure-footed knowledge of his presence in my heart?”
― Yaa Gyasi, Transcendent Kingdom
Binding aside, this was a beautifully written story that puts in to words the internal struggle so many work through on a daily basis. Yaa Gyasi absolutely nailed the experience growing up in an evangelical church, complete with sweet and cringy moments. The gentleness in which she handled Gifty's journey had me in tears more than once.
“When it came to God, I could not give a straight answer. I had not been able to give a straight answer since the day Nana died. God failed me then, so utterly and completely that it had shaken my capacity to believe in him. And yet. How to explain every quiver? How to explain that once sure-footed knowledge of his presence in my heart?”
― Yaa Gyasi, Transcendent Kingdom
andalucia's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
maijaka's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, intriguing. There were a few moments I wanted a bit more or perhaps got a bit lost, but overall a gentle, determined, and honest storytelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism and Animal cruelty
ellenclibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
My favorite read of 2020 thus far. If you wish to reap a life lesson from your fiction, read this book.
joncon's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readalie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Drug abuse
endraia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
baileyboldt's review against another edition
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
readingafrica's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend this novel to everyone! Yaa Gyasi skilfully and humanely narrates the tale of a family grappling with loss, drug addiction, and mental illness. Gifty, the main character, is brilliant. She's queer, intelligent, quasi-religious, emotionally guarded, and determined to keep her family together. Uh, it's so good!!!