A review by kalyaniwarrier
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

The childhood weariness of having to belong somewhere, and the wanting of acceptance is unfortunately a common occurrence as we grow up to our visioned idealism. 

In this state of mind, Gifty, the protagonist, despite living the life of professional quixotism, is met with broken familial arrangements, suicide of her brother and her skepticism towards the religion she was bought up in. 

The plot is highly philosophical - questioning one's beliefs and the entirety of human existence, which leads the protagonist to right the wrongs in life to bring meaning to her existence. Transcendent Kingdom also highlights the racial profiling of African-American communities, immigrants and their struggle of belonging to a strange community, in spite of the marginalisation. 

Berry's model of acculturation in cultural studies (further divided into four parts: assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalisation) plays a huge role in this text; parts of assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalisation are widely discussed in this text that give nuance to the cultural phenomenon observed in immigrants and migrated populations. For further details on Berry's model, please check out this website: https://open.maricopa.edu/culturepsychology/chapter/berrys-model-of-acculturation/

The book is beautiful in form, content and structure. It gives a hope of wanting to believe in something, be it a religious inclination or a secular one, and gives meaning to life. This message of self-preservation has allowed me to rate this book in such a manner. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings