A review by mrej
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was so profound and heartbreaking and I want to read it all over again. The narrative is amazing with how well we get to know Gifty - at some points I though it was a memoir! There is such depth to these complex characters that is so developed but also there are many questions left unanswered. The eloquence that Gyasi explored the themes she writes about is so touching and vivid. These themes - race, culture, religion, identity, addiction, family dynamics, racism, gender, faith, immigration, drug overdose, mental health - are studied in-depth with such care. For such a short book, it has so much to say and captured these character's identities and experiences with ease. I felt so seen in the sections about religion and growing up a devote Christian and the enduring guilt that comes from experiencing doubt and distance. Gyasi also shows great attention to such heavy topics to devastating effect by moving between Gifty's perspective as a child and her as an adult who is recovering from her childhood. This is such a moving book and I want to read it all over again!