A review by hollydyer328
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

emotional reflective relaxing sad slow-paced
  • 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

4.25

This book almost felt like a memoir while I was reading it. The reader gets a direct view into Gifty's brain (fitting since she's a neuroscientist) and sees all of the traumas that she has held throughout her life and with her family. The story happens a lot more in the past and Gifty reflects on events in her family life that deal with addiction, depression, and unraveling family dynamics. As she is conducting her graduate work, she looks to science to explain the problems that have plagued her, but throughout she reckons with her religion and her faith. I love how Yaa Gyasi brings takes these typically-separate themes and brings them together in Gifty's reflection and reckoning. Her writing style is so relaxing and therapeutic.

If you are more of a plot-driven person, just know that there is not much plot that happens. A lot of the events happen in the past, and the plot for the present day is pretty brief. I personally wish there was more of an aftermath, and the ending felt brief to me. I prefer more of a plot-driven story, but I will appreciate a character-driven story if it's robust and compelling, which Gyasi does very well. 
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