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jhbandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bennett is able to show the difficulty and complexity of each life, showing less sympathetic characters in a way that sympathy grows for them. You wish so much that circumstances could have been different for these characters, that they hadn’t felt forced to make the decisions they had.
The way Stella’s life plays out, ostensibly easier than Desiree’s, but with her always tense, never able to relax and be herself, living a lie and poisoning her relationship with her daughter, was just so tragic. Like lots of people who make poor decisions, Stella brought this all on herself.
Desiree’s life is also difficult but she doesn’t have the trouble that comes from pretending to be what she isn’t. She has a loving and rewarding relationship with her daughter because she’s never had to lie.
I read Nella Larsen’s book Passing a year ago but The Vanishing Half is the one I’ll always recommend. It’s astonishing, such a good book.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Hate crime, Murder, Classism, Grief, and Racism
laurenmaria422's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Murder, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Dementia and Death
michaelion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Passing is a thing that happened and I'm sure there are still many, many quadroons and hexadecaroons walking around without a clue. I've always felt sympathy for the people who passed, and this book definitely gave me a new / another understanding. (I mean, who can be mad at you for wanting better for your life and your family?) To be moved so much by a book show just how good it is. That being said though I do not feel sympathy for Stella!
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Grief, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Sexual assault, Bullying, Classism, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Minor: Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Stalking, Blood, Deadnaming, and Medical content
cakrolik's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Classism, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Dysphoria, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Sexism
val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Dementia
tabear's review against another edition
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Cursing, Racism, Bullying, Death of parent, Dementia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Rape and Murder
glammster's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Hate crime, Misogyny, Murder, Gun violence, Racism, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Abandonment, Dementia, Bullying, Classism, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Dysphoria
Graphic description of lynchinglindseyhall44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Bullying, Abandonment, Classism, Hate crime, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, and Transphobia
gymjam_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Hate crime, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Death
pisces1_1318's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Rape, and Emotional abuse