A review by seullywillikers
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

challenging emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

Little plot, mostly vibes. This story takes place near the end of Gifty's graduate schooling, as she finishes a series of experiments with mice researching behavior and addiction. At this time Gifty's mother comes to her to visit, as she goes through a depression so deep she rarely moves from the bed. But this isn't the first time Gifty's mother has gone through this, and most of the book is Gifty's recollection of events, of her family's story, of her memories and journal entries, that lead up to the point where we find her studying mice in a neuroscience lab. This book touches on race, addiction, mental health, and family. Like Homegoing, it is exquisitely written, and Gifty is a character you latch onto, that you love and care for and long to meet for real. 

I wasn't crying until the very last two pages.