Reviews

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

rolypolyreading's review against another edition

I think normally I would’ve finished this book because it’s an audiobook and I’m always listening to one anyway, but I’m trying to dnf more/earlier/not force myself to finish books this year so 

jessielinden1's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this. It has a strong point of view but is not tied up with a bow. The very nature of the topics points to lifelong exploration: science, religion, loneliness, depression, identity. Addiction, though I don’t suffer from it. I am not Black, Ghanaian or come from a southern evangelical upbringing. But I was raised by immigrants who fled their home countries, in a religion that instilled both fear and questions, leaving me as an adult with an ever evolving internal conflict between scientific rationalism and deep-rooted spirituality. I used to nurture a more direct relationship to God. I too hide from my younger self at times, and I am working on loving myself in the present as well as in the past. So I related deeply to this book and I’ll be thinking about it. I’ll probably read it again sometime. Though I found the characters interesting, it wasn’t a plot-driven book. It’s about family, loss, grief, isolation, goal setting, personal excellence, belonging. I am such a fan of Gyasi.

evy_rinne's review against another edition

4.0

Perfect name for a title like this. I don't like modern drama and fiction. But this novel really destroyed me. If was so beautiful in ways I can't even describe

miasmuts's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

character building: good, although the characters feel a bit 'hollow'? you know them but through telling not showing. 
pacing: good. good use of time jumps / keeping you hooked. 
style: some things slightly repetitive, but over all very well written
themes, messages, meaning:

God in the world we're in. love the acceptance and understanding forged. making this way of seeing religion acceptable, normal.

clear 

over all enjoyed.

a_schwa's review against another edition

5.0

This is a perfect book. Grief and addiction and faith are the hardest things to write about in a genuine and tasteful way, and it is all done flawlessly here.

thekaylie's review against another edition

i feel as if my brain was melting im sorry, open to coming back at a different point in my life

elnechnntt's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

bookishrona's review against another edition

4.0

This is a deeply moving psychological fiction, that drove my heart to the edge. What this young woman has experienced and gone through.

The book is deeply rooted in religion and thoughts on religion, how it affects us today.

It is intense, so much so that I often had to put it down and just process what I had read.

I connected to her thought processes around religion, as going to a strict religious school that drilled the Christian values into us so strongly, that when I was in university I too had to contemplate religion and science, religion and me.

The way Yaa Gyasi has woven the themes throughout the book was brilliant. Nothing was out of place everything connected. So beautifully written!

zpitts's review against another edition

challenging 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

whitneysederberg's review against another edition

3.0

i really appreciate the dialogue on immigrant/poc relationships with white churches, i don’t think i’ve heard anyone talk about that before. very interesting book, but lacked general organization. it feels pretty autobiographical, but the narrator has no character development and comes across as too perfect a lot of the time, so i didn’t find her very likable. kept my attention the whole way through but i don’t think i’m going to remember much about this book by next week.