Scan barcode
reddeddy's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Addiction, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual content, Cursing, Pregnancy, Violence, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Classism, Dysphoria, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Bullying, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Animal death, Self harm, Sexual harassment, Slavery, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Blood, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
itsheyfay's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Child death, Racial slurs, Death, Drug abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, Racism, Religious bigotry, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Addiction
Moderate: Cursing, Medical trauma, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Injury/Injury detail, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
juliexkr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Racism, Medical content, and Death
Minor: Religious bigotry and Suicide attempt
storykath's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
While much of the subject matter in this book was heavy, it never felt like a burden to read. Gifty's narration, both as a child and as an adult, is engaging, raw, and immersive. Her inner world is complex, flawed, and wholly believable, and there is similar nuanced characterization given to all the other characters in Gifty's life. The world of the story, including Gifty's neuroscience lab, Ghanaian culture, and evangelical Christianity, are all described in fascinating detail, and are just as well thought-out as the characters.
I found the alternating timeline to be refreshing and ideal for the pacing of the book. Key childhood moments occurred in conjunction with relevant parallels in Gifty's adult life. The switches also provided some relief and variety when one storyline would get particularly dark. At some points, the switches weren't perfectly chronological, and it would be briefly unclear what time period we were in, but this was a minor inconvenience at most.
Altogether, the stunning care and attention to detail in Transcendent Kingdom made it an unforgettable read, at times relatable, at times eye-opening, and always heart-wrenchingly real.
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Drug use, Suicide attempt, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Racism
Moderate: Self harm, Racial slurs, Religious bigotry, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Animal cruelty, Medical content, and Xenophobia
carbs666's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Addiction, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Death, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Drug use, Racism, and Suicide attempt
habertoes's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, and Child death
Moderate: Grief, Medical content, Death, and Child death
Minor: Animal death
Lab scenes with discussion of animal testing and experimentation.emsreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Religious bigotry, and Medical content
linesiunderline's review against another edition
- 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
I am only beginning to appreciate all of the things that are breathtaking about this book, that I know will linger with me, becoming part of me and how I see the world. You’re left with more questions than answers. Invitations to consider big things and small and the story of your own life.
Gifty will feel as real to you as anyone you’ve ever known. Her humanity and complexity may be the most impressive thing about this book. It’s certainly one of the most memorable. She is the heart of the novel.
Transcendent Kingdom will be one of my top reads of this year. I cannot recommend it highly enough and also have to praise Bahni Turpin’s stellar audio performance.
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide attempt, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, and Vomit
Minor: Excrement, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
emmagreenwood's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cursing, Excrement, Pregnancy, Infertility, and Vomit
mirireads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Suicide attempt, Religious bigotry, Racism, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, and Sexual content