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  • Transcendent Kingdom

  • By: Yaa Gyasi
  • Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (375 ratings)
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Transcendent Kingdom cover art

Transcendent Kingdom

By: Yaa Gyasi
Narrated by: Bahni Turpin
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

From the best-selling author of Homegoing comes a searing novel of love and loss, addiction and redemption, straight from the heart of contemporary America.

As a child Gifty would ask her parents to tell the story of their journey from Ghana to Alabama, seeking escape in myths of heroism and romance. When her father and brother succumb to the hard reality of immigrant life in the American South, their family of four becomes two - and the life Gifty dreamed of slips away.

Years later, desperate to understand the opioid addiction that destroyed her brother's life, she turns to science for answers. But when her mother comes to stay, Gifty soon learns that the roots of their tangled traumas reach farther than she ever thought. Tracing her family's story through continents and generations will take her deep into the dark heart of modern America.

©2020 Yaa Gyasi (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"I would say that Transcendent Kingdom is a novel for our time (and it is) but it is so much more than that. It is a novel for all times. The splendor and heart and insight and brilliance contained in the pages holds up light the rest of us can follow." (Ann Patchett)

"Absolutely transcendent. A gorgeously woven narrative...not a word or idea out of place. The range. I am quite angry this is so good." (Roxane Gay)

"A stirringly gifted writer." (New York Times)

What listeners say about Transcendent Kingdom

Average customer ratings
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Best book I’ve read this year

This book is so cathartic for anyone who has struggled with their Christian faith and the church

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Beautifully performed

Loved it. And the excellent performance made it all the more encapsulating. Couldn't believe it was the same actor reading all the characters. Sad and emotional in places and hits on many themes, immigration, racism, science vs religion, addiction and ultimately is about the main characters journey through family trauma to personal acheivement. Most importantly the main character and her family feel so real and flawed and lovable.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Just fine

I was so excited to read this book as I was absolutely mesmerised by Homegoing. Unfortunately this story die not hold the same captivating story telling nor the deep characterisation.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Exceptionally read audio book

The storyline is so relatable and covers so many aspects of life that I have seen myself - from mental health, to religion and to the experience of being a child of the diaspora. It is all tenderly handled and so beautifully read. The voices of each character are probably the best I've heard in any audio book so far and not distracting at all (as sometimes they can be on audio books). This is a beautiful book and bought me to tears at points as I listened throughout my day. It's such a gift when someone can articulate your experiences through story and this book does just that.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Stunning

Truly stunning novel; relatable, poignant and heartbreaking. I found it hard to put it down.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Would give this book 10 stars if I could

One of the best books I’ve listened to. Story and performance. Can’t wait for Yaa Gyasi’s next book to come out…

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

fascinating and heart breaking

a family tale of loss and identity. really interesting. voice actor did a great job.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Absolutely incredible read

A must read for everyone. Yaa Gyasi is an astonishing author who weaved words like a detailed oriented locksmith

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    5 out of 5 stars
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insightful and interesting book

engrossing story from the beginning. the characters are so believable.; you might need a tissue to hand .

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

A novel about science and faith

A Ghanaian migrant family in Alabama look for redemption in God but the challenges and reality of life make tge narrator reflect on her faith.

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