Gifty is a neuroscientist at Stanford, working on research about the neural circuits in the brain responsible for reward-seeking behaviour. As a scientist, she is interested in finding answers to questions about the complexity of the brain. But her personal life as a sister and a daughter, has her looking for answers to questions about the mysteries of the brain. In both cases, so little is known, but she longs to discover the key to why her immigrant family has had to be ravaged by depression, addiction, and grief. “…could this science work on the people who need it the most? Could it get a brother to set down a needle? Could it get a mother out of bed?” This is a moving novel of faith, science, religion, and love–a quest for meaning.
Gyasi writes so beautifully. This is her second book and is quite a bit different from her first called Homegoing. That novel was a compelling series of stories within a brilliant structure, an examination of the effects of African, British and American slavery on one Ghanaian family over three centuries. This one was more philosophical and reflective, and less linear. Gyasi clearly has a unique talent and maturity in her writing beyond her years. In addition to a BA from Stanford, she has an MA from the Iowa Writer’s Workshop–always an indication of a gifted writer.
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