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A review by queer_bookwyrm
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: substance use/discussions of addiction, overdose, suicide attempt, depression, racism, racial slurs, grief
Transcendent Kingdom is the second novel by Yaa Gyasi, and is literary contemporary fiction. I'm not usually a big fan of contemporary stories, but I love the way Gyasi writes. She lays out her ideas in clear ways, but never tries to shape the reader's view, instead she lets us come to our own conclusions. Though it is a sad story, it wasn't a tear jerker for me, mostly because I think Gifty isn't a crier.
We follow Gifty, the daughter of a Ghanian immigrant mother, who is living in Alabama. Gifty narrates the story of how her mother came to America, the hardships they encountered as Black folk in the south, and the tragedies that followed. We go between Gifty's childhood and her present, where she is a PH.d student at Stanford studying neuroscience. We see how Gifty's upbringing in the church has affected her, as well as her brother's overdose, and her mother's depression.
This book is an examination of identity, religion, addiction, and how science and religion are both diametrically opposed to one another, but has also shaped Gifty's approach to life. As someone who grew up with Christianity and later left it behind, it was fascinating seeing Gifty's transition from being a serious Christian to doubting religion, the church, and losing her faith. Though Gifty no longer truly believes, it has still shaped her outlook on life and her approach to science.
If you liked Homegoing, this is a must read!
Transcendent Kingdom is the second novel by Yaa Gyasi, and is literary contemporary fiction. I'm not usually a big fan of contemporary stories, but I love the way Gyasi writes. She lays out her ideas in clear ways, but never tries to shape the reader's view, instead she lets us come to our own conclusions. Though it is a sad story, it wasn't a tear jerker for me, mostly because I think Gifty isn't a crier.
We follow Gifty, the daughter of a Ghanian immigrant mother, who is living in Alabama. Gifty narrates the story of how her mother came to America, the hardships they encountered as Black folk in the south, and the tragedies that followed. We go between Gifty's childhood and her present, where she is a PH.d student at Stanford studying neuroscience. We see how Gifty's upbringing in the church has affected her, as well as her brother's overdose, and her mother's depression.
This book is an examination of identity, religion, addiction, and how science and religion are both diametrically opposed to one another, but has also shaped Gifty's approach to life. As someone who grew up with Christianity and later left it behind, it was fascinating seeing Gifty's transition from being a serious Christian to doubting religion, the church, and losing her faith. Though Gifty no longer truly believes, it has still shaped her outlook on life and her approach to science.
If you liked Homegoing, this is a must read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Pregnancy