by Asia Hayes

One feature of Yaa Gyasi’s moving second novel, Transcendent Kingdom, takes the form of abstraction. Although the novel unfolds with the story of loss and addiction, there lacks grand emotional overture. The absence, however, is strategic. Gyasi embodies the main character, Gifty, a first-generation African immigrant pursuing a PhD in neuroscience. Gifty, who learned to compartmentalize her life’s trauma through the practice of science, is delivered as a rich character with precision and emotional depth.

A series of flashbacks and reflections slowly paints a picture of Gyasi’s protagonist and her life in Huntsville, Alabama, shaped by changing family dynamics, religion, race, addiction, and mental health. After her brother’s accidental heroin overdose and the deterioration of her mother’s mental health, Gifty learns to cope through academia. The desire to seek answers and comfort in the face of trauma is familiar, and readers are invited to process alongside Gifty, touching on the collective experience of loss, grief, and healing.

Transcendent Kingdom holds space for the tension between religion, faith, and science. Gyasi frames this relationship through Gifty’s approach to piety and her ability to academically excel.. “[Gifty] wanted, above all else, to be good. And [she] wanted the path to that goodness to be clear…” The thoughtful evaluation and acknowledgement of the role of religion and science is crucial for the development of Gifty, and her ability to connect with readers.

Gyasi writes in a style that embraces Gifty’s desire for clarity. Despite the emotional weight of the content, the delivery is matter-of-fact. It falls in line with Gifty’s character development and her life as a PhD candidate in neuroscience. This communication style further compliments Gifty’s character development. As each story unfolds, it becomes clear the link between the tripartite relationship of religion, faith and science aren’t just a part of her past—rather, they demonstrate the ongoing internal dialogue of how to reconcile life’s challenges with this version of “the trinity”.

There’s something in Gifty and her story that readers can connect to. The novel reads as a conversation, encouraging the reader to reflect on the collective human experience of grief, and the processing that follows. Gyasi’s use of language throughout Transcendent Kingdom captures, in many ways, what it means to be human. Through Gifty, Gyasi communicates a portrait of addiction, grief, and depression in a way that’s relatable—regardless of proximity to these experiences.

Gifty reminds us there’s more than one way to grieve.

From start to finish, readers are taken on a journey that accesses the most vulnerable parts of being. Journal entries from the past are sprinkled throughout the novel, givinginsight to Gifty’s inner psyche throughout the most difficult periods of life. The level of insight readers have to Gifty, her beliefs, and her relationship with the world around her builds trust between the reader and the characters.

Transcendent Kingdom is a beautiful depiction of life’s challenges, as well as learning to accept that sometimes, there’s no clear path or answers. It allows readers to hold space for both the beauty and challenges of being. 

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Asia is a graduate student in St. Louis, MO pursuing a joint Master of Social Work and Juris Doctorate degree. Her experience lies in educational justice and education-based nonprofit organizations. When she’s not in class, she can be found enjoying a cup of coffee and a good book.