Super Short Summary

In Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, Gifty, a 28-year-old neuroscience PhD candidate, navigates understanding her family’s past and tragedy as she cares for her severely depressed Ghanaian-born mother. As she reflects on her brother’s opioid addiction and subsequent death, Gifty’s research into reward-seeking behavior in animals serves as a means to explore and potentially understand addiction. The narrative, enriched with reflections from Gifty’s childhood and her academic journey, delves into themes of mental health, family, and redemption. Topics include depressive episodes, addiction, and the loss of a family member.