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A review by paulap
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
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? Yes
3.0
The writing in this book makes it compulsively readable; even if there is not a big plot. It is also quite reflective and thoughtful. However, the fact that the story was told from Gifty’s perspective does sometimes feel a bit too one-sided, and it is wrapped up a bit too neatly for me.
There are several topics that the book looks at: addiction, faith and how that interacts with science, racism, the OxyContin crisis, being an immigrant, depression. Some of those topics were more interesting and better developed than others. I particularly liked the discussions about addiction, how it happens, if the brain is actually able to stop the impulse or not, if it is about will or something more basic than that.
The last major aspect of the book is Gifty’s relationships with people, mostly with her family, but also with friends and couples, how it is hard for her to develop those connections, how flawed her relationship with her mum is and how her brother affects that. Those parts were interesting. But the parts about her failing to have friends or a boyfriend felt underdeveloped cliches about antisocial scientists.
Overall, I liked the experience of reading this book, but it was a bit half and half about if the book resonated with me and I don’t think it will leave a strong mark.
There are several topics that the book looks at: addiction, faith and how that interacts with science, racism, the OxyContin crisis, being an immigrant, depression. Some of those topics were more interesting and better developed than others. I particularly liked the discussions about addiction, how it happens, if the brain is actually able to stop the impulse or not, if it is about will or something more basic than that.
The last major aspect of the book is Gifty’s relationships with people, mostly with her family, but also with friends and couples, how it is hard for her to develop those connections, how flawed her relationship with her mum is and how her brother affects that. Those parts were interesting. But the parts about her failing to have friends or a boyfriend felt underdeveloped cliches about antisocial scientists.
Overall, I liked the experience of reading this book, but it was a bit half and half about if the book resonated with me and I don’t think it will leave a strong mark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Suicide, Mental illness, and Medical content