This was such a fresh voice, unique cast of characters, and important story. They'll be lingering with me for some time!

I loved Yaa Gyasi's previous book, Homegoing, so I was super excited to have a chance to read an early copy of Transcendent Kingdom. I feel a bit torn about this book. I objectively recognize that there were some cool and important things going on in this story. The conversations about mental health, addiction, how these issues are stigmatized, and how they have a compounding impact on individuals from marginalized communities, like people of color or immigrants, are so important and valuable and necessary. I also objectively really appreciate the conversation about religion and the obvious conflict that Gifty feels in her relationship with her faith. I love to see it.

I feel like because I appreciated all of the elements so much, I should have loved this book, but simply did not. I read it and finished it, and I can appreciate aspects of it. But I didn't connect with the characters. I didn't feel compelled to read more about them. I never got pulled into this story. I only finished the book because I felt like I should, because I could see the important messages and points that Gyasi was trying to make. But I didn't enjoy reading it at any point, and I need to state that it wasn't because the topic was dark and heavy. Homegoing was incredibly dark and heavy, but I enjoyed it. I wanted to read it. I loved some of the characters. I just didn't have that going on with this book, unfortunately.

I have heard others rave about this book, so perhaps it just wasn't for me at this moment in time.

This book was intense and quite emotional! I'm still taking in the experience Yaa Gyasi just took me on. The captivation of so many social predicaments was very well intertwined with one another. I have yet to read Homecoming but will do so after reading this masterpiece. This title has been added to the list of book group sets we will be offering later this year. Highly recommend this read!!

Transcendent Kingdom is an intimate portrayal of the second-generation immigrant experience as well as the ravages of opioid abuse. Yaa Gyasi has found her voice and was in full command of the work. The pacing is perfect and the structure brilliant, with past and present seamlessly woven together.

Bounces between woman studying neuroscience as it relates to depression and addiction and her family life growing up. Challenging relationship with her mother.

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC of Transcendent Kingdom. I loved Homegoing, the author's debut novel, and was expecting a similar story set in both Africa and the U.S. This novel, however, focuses much less on the immigration or integration experiences, and much more on the individual challenges in the protagonist's family. Gifty is determined to discover the roots of addiction in her lab mice. Discovering the cure for the compulsion that leads to destruction would give Gifty the ability to understand her brother, and ultimately grieve his loss. Maybe it would even cure her mother's depression, and restore their ability to talk to each other about both science and faith.

I really love the way that Yaa Gyasi writes and the tender ways in which she brings forth so many philosophical and existential elements about life. I felt deeply with the characters and especially appreciated the exploration of the role of religion between mother and daughter.

I wanted to love this but there was a lot that didn't work for me. Too much religion and science for my liking but that doesn't mean it wouldn't work for another reader. I wish there was more focus on her family as that's the part of the story that I most was interested in reading.

I've been putting off reading this book because I was worried that Gyasi couldn't repeat the brilliance of Homegoing in her next novel. I shouldn't have been worried. This book was completely different but no less excellent.

I loved the characters and watching them in two different time periods. The writing was excellent and really elevated the story for me.

I ending up listening to this title on audiobook, and having Bahni Turpin narrate things never hurts. She's fast become one of my favourite narrators.

This novel is definitely character-driven rather than plot-driven. While Gifty's mother stays with her in her apartment mostly asleep because of her depression, Gifty goes to her lab where she tests mice for reward-seeking behaviors - i.e., addiction - while reflecting on her childhood. Through Gifty's memories, Gyasi tells a beautifully crafted story of family, faith, loss, and separation. Gifty's current research on mice, and her mother's depression, are closely connected to the tragedies that they have suffered, especially the abandonment of her father and death of her brother. Information about events and characters unfold in layers, creating a rich narrative. This book is incredibly moving and well done. I can imagine readers getting frustrated because nothing much seems to happen, but if you have the patience for it, it is well worth it.

A strikingly honest and transparent tale of familial grief. The scientific exploration and language that occurs when the main character is pursuing her academic and employment goals while navigating grief is unique and is what makes this title so important.

Gifty is a sad girl trying to be her best self. Her family moved to the US from Ghana but her father left them and went back. Her brother, Nana was a gifted athlete but got hooked on drugs and dies of an overdose before he has a chance to make something of himself. Gifty's mother is swallowed by grief and depression. Gifty must find her way in the world and then try to help her mother find peace and happiness.

I got a little bogged down in the science of Grifty's work, but the writing was so beautiful that I didn't mind. I appreciated the way the author wove together the past and present and slowly unravelled how they impacted each other. I did find the ending to be a bit flip and light, but I couldn't help but root for a happily ever after for Grifty.

I requested this title because I loved Yaa Gyasi's debut novel, Homegoing. Transcendent Kingdom is similarly stunning, though taking a narrow perspective instead of Homegoing's broad perspective. Gyasi is adept at writing both and I will continue to purchase literally everything Gyasi writes.

This was my first Yaa Gyasi read and oh my word, what beauty. The part that really pulled me in was Gifty trying to reconcile her love of science with an evangelical upbringing. Mixed with the trauma she's endured in losing her brother, Nana, to addiction and with her mother's current depression, Gifty is just hanging on, trying to make sense of a world that is imperfect and broken. I absolutely loved this well-written and moving novel, and am ready to pick up Gyasi's first book, Homegoing.

I loved this follow-up to Homegoing. Yaa Gyasi develops flawed, layered characters that I can't help but root for. Gifty studies addiction and depression behavior in mice, driven by the addiction she has experienced within her own family. Her mother lives in her bed, unable to get up or pull herself out of her suicidal depression. Gifty's struggles and past inform her present actions, and this was an emotional roller coaster. Gyasi is an incredibly talented author, and I look forward to reading her future works.

I loved <i>Homegoing</i> and still think of it often. This book is so different, but similarly incredible. What range, what a writer.

Homegoing is one of my favorite books and I was a bit worried that this sophomore title wouldn't live up to my expectations, however, it completely did. I loved this and think it would be a great book club title.

Yaa Gyasi’s debut novel Homegoing was a tough act to follow. However, she has not disappointed with her sophomore novel, Transcendent Kingdom. Gifty, the narrator tells the story of her Ghanaian family who immigrated to Alabama in search of a better life. The culture shock divided her family and left them dealing with mental illness and drug use. Gifty is a PhD student in neuroscience who sorts through questions of science and religion as she tries to reconcile her family’s dysfunction. This is a powerful book, dealing with some heavy topics, but manages to remain balanced and hopeful. Gyasi is on my favorite authors list and I look forward to reading more from her soon. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

Mind, body and soul.

A mother believing so deeply in her God.
A brother so trapped in his body, that when it breaks, so does he.
And a daughter trying to use her mind to save them all.

Tragic. Full of love. So beautiful and hard to read.