Transcendent Kingdom Book Review

[@LEFTONREAD]

Affiliate Link to Book Transcendent Kingdom By Yaa Gyasi amzn.to/359eQ0o

[@lyddie465]

i keep saving this book thinking that i am not intellectually ready to read it but the hype is so high, i have to get to it. so cool to hear that her books are so different from each other too!

[@elenathegreat]

I LOVED this book and your review! I was so impressed by how she changed her writing style from Homegoing to suit this story while still holding on to her clear and raw tone. I agree, it's like another author wrote it but it's SO impressive ... I can't wait to see what Yaa Gyasi puts out next

[@mikegseclecticreads]

Great review! I too really liked that she conveyed some empathy towards even the less-than-likeable characters. I wasn't too bothered myself by not getting to hear from Nana's or her mother's perspective, since for me it seemed like kind of a running theme in the book that although it would be awesome to see the world from someone else's perspective, all we really can ever have is our own understanding of what their experience might be like

[@teresarosereads]

I was so excited when I heard Yaa Gyasi was coming out with a new book! I haven't read Homegoing yet but I've been wanting to for years so now I'll have two books from her to pick up!

[@stacyescobedo1642]

I was paging back through this book trying to pick a favorite quote to share here. There are so so many moving quotes that could be shared. Yaa Gyasi made me cry each and every chapter, often more than once. Her story and her way of telling it was so incredibly moving to me. I grew up in the Assemblies of God denomination that Gifty attends in Alabama. Her descriptions of the services - the weekly alter call, the "kids church" to "big church" transition, the puppets, and more - were incredibly relatable. Even more so were the thoughts and feelings Gifty describes regarding how different her adult self feels from the self she embodied as a child. "At times, my life now feels so at odds with the religious teachings of my childhood that I wonder what the little girl I once was would think of the woman I've become...but the truth is I haven't much chaged... I am looking for new names for old feelings. My soul is still my soul, even if I rarely call it that."

[@ALove4Me]

I LOVED this book, and Gyasi's writing is just amazing. I also purchased the book on the strength of Homegoing and I was not expecting Literary Fiction. I FELT the characters and the words hit hard. The way Gyasi puts words together reminds me of Morrison. It's in the depth of meaning behind the words. After I finished the book, I knew that I would read it again before the year is over because though it's short, I feel that I will notice things I missed upon the first reading. For me, one of the things that made the book so strong was that single viewpoint, however, the ending felt a bit abrupt. Not to the point where I was upset, but I definitely wanted more. The funny thing is, if this book was written by someone else, I wouldn't' hesitate to give it 5 stars, but knowing how strong Homegoing is, I gave it 4.5 stars.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Omg... you are so right. I think if this was from another author/ a debut, I would have rated it 5 stars 🙇🏾‍♀️. I felt so much of this book.

[@jennifernash4638]

I finished Transcendent Kingdom this afternoon and I actually marked the same passage you quoted. Gifty was a character after my soul - I have a science background, a brother who I could have lost to heroin (but thankfully did not), and a long-evolving religious struggle having been raised in part by my Catholic dad. I loved the way Gyasi unraveled the story of Gifty's family and how their long struggle brought her and her mother to where she is today. I haven't read Home going, so I can't compare the two, but I really loved this one!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Wow. Thay really does sound like after your own soul. Crazy the similarities! The book truly was phenomenal. I have to listen to some of the author’s interviews to see if this was inspired through aspects of her life. As for homegoing, I hope you give it a read. Completely different format but some similar themes.

Great video! I’ve been wanting to read Transcendent Kingdom and Homegoing for awhile. I’ll take your advice and start with Homegoing!

[@kobooks2632]

Loved the review! I'm planning to add this to me tbr!

[@bookish.calirican]

I’ve had this book on my tbr solely on my experience reading Homegoing. It just hit me in the feels so hard. Can’t wait to dig in to this one at some point!

[@cocochanel3812]

This would be a perfect book club pick . I loved the writing and characters . It would have been a 4/5 star but that ending baby no ma’am . It’s like it ended abruptly but that’s a personal pet peeve. I don’t have to have a happy ending but I do feel like the audience deserves something . 3.5 overall

[@ttill4246]

I just posted and I asked about the ending. I get your point! LOL I like tidy endings too. Maybe it was abrupt because Gifty never really had real resolve. She was still wrestling with her faith, family, etc. Or it could be a set up for a pt 2!

[@cocochanel3812]

Tiffany Tillman yes you are right . I never thought about it I hope so . Also , her lab partner and her were cool but I didn’t see them being lover cool . Maybe it was a slow burn hehe .

[@ttill4246]

@@cocochanel3812 LOL right! Her love life was complicated for sure!

[@LEFTONREAD]

Hilarious at these comments. Reading this after I wrote above to Tiffany 🤣. But I just summarize, I didn’t love it, but the book gave me enough where I was ok with it. I could see how it could cause a ding. Although it was abrupt, it somehow felt like it went with the pacing of the story. But yeah I def didn’t see lab partner nor cared that they did end up together. Seemed random + was univested in the character so was just like 🤷🏾‍♀️

[@ttill4246]

@@LEFTONREAD AGREE! That was definitely a random hookup! Although the ending was abrupt, it still was enough for me considering the context of the story.

[@nancysteele4725]

I greatly loved this book. I have so much respect for those who've come from foreign countries to make a way in USA. My people did that in 1860's, and 1640's. I can't imagine. I connected to living and losing because of addiction, giving up on God, and struggling to find my way into adulthood. God makes a way when there seems to be no way, and we are never alone.

[@thejessicadiaries]

I debated so hard between this book and 'Caul Baby' but I didn't choose it. Now I have to go back to the bookstore! 🤣

[@CandiceAPowell]

i loved this book! the ending threw me off though. she was talking about her mother struggling for a while and she didnt tell us when she died like it was just a statement after it happened. she lost the only family she had left and she didnt go into depth with that? crazy. i really like that she still went to church just to honor her mother's belief.

[@JoyceBlake7]

Hair tutorial please! and what lipstick are you wearing? I am going to def read this book. Great review!

[@LEFTONREAD]

🤣🤣🤣! The lip is Fenty Lip Paint in Unveiled (I think is the name) it’s the pink one from the Rihanna lip paints.

[@juliaisagoodwitch]

I just added the book to my tbr.

[@ttill4246]

SPOILER-ISH REVIEW!!!! This was a beautiful book! Yaa Gyasi definitely has amazing range and I'm looking forward to following her writing career. I agree, she has very wise writing that comes through the pages. You can tell she's learning and growing while writing. I didn't think about the other characters' perspectives but that would have resonated more with readers. The characters didn't stick with me the way they did with Vanishing Half, Red at the Bone or Woman is No Man. There were so many great themes depicted in this novel, but for some reason, the topic of religion really stuck with me. I think we all question our beliefs and it's interesting how Gifty uses science --often viewed as the antitheist of religion-- as an attempt to answer and satisfy her questions. This happens so much in self-discover. In an attempt to redefine ourselves or beliefs, we go to extreme opposites to solidify our transformation. Overall, I would recommend this book, especially for the many people I know who find themselves questioning the religious backgrounds and who are at a crossroad. What did you think about the ending? Happy Reading!

[@LEFTONREAD]

I loved all of those books so going to have to look up Woman is no man. Never heard of it! Also ahhhh! I agree with so much of what you wrote. As for the ending, it was lack luster but kind of went with the pace of the book. It felt more like just a continuation into the remainder of Gifty’s life but not really a true ending. Idk I didn’t love it but the book gave me enough where I was ok with it. What about you?

[@AbiofPellinor]

This is a beautiful review

[@dr.suezettealoysiaandcarla1664]

hi friend! how are you doing? wow what a really nice video, looking forward to the next

[@dyaspara]

It was defintely soooo well written! I just wanted Gifty to be happy, and to see it. We only got a little of her happy, but it was nice to know she ended up in a good place by the end.

[@LEFTONREAD]

Yes! Same!

[@stevenjeralharris2573]

I would love for you to review my novel. It's called Untamed. I have 4 stars on Amazon.

[@JBJari]

Saw you post this, and I can't watch the video. I didn't read it yet. 😩😩😩

[@LEFTONREAD]

It’s spoiler free but I get it, I’m the same way. If I already know I’m going to read something I won’t watch vids about it until I’m finished. Hope you enjoy it 💛

[@askjanaleigh]

I've heard nothing but good things about this book.

[@cocochannel7909]

I thought the title said Transgender Kingdom. I clicked so fast.