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odrib'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
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Murder
jellyf8r'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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Drug use
babeinlibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
Minor: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
natasharockyroad's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Transphobia
mackenzzie'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
4.5
Graphic: Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Medical content
janadeschildre'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
4.5
Graphic: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Toxic relationship
llj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Stalking and Abandonment
Minor: Death of parent
coveredinivy's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Racism, and Toxic relationship
kelly_e'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
4.0
Author: Brit Bennett
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4
Pub Date: June 2 2020
T H R E E • W O R D S
Reflective • Powerful • Necessary
📖 S Y N O P S I S
At the age of 16, twin sisters Desiree and Stella Vignes, run away from home in search of a better life in the city. Ultimately drifting apart, one day Stella disappears, and the sisters' lives take very different paths. Desiree, fleeing an abusive marriage with her daughter, ends up moving back to their small hometown. Meanwhile, Stella creates a completely different life passing as white, her true identity hidden from even her husband and daughter.
Spanning five decades, The Vanishing Half explores the lasting influence of the past on a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, all while providing an in depth look into why sometimes individual's feel compelled to live as something other than what they are. It considers family, race, identity and belonging.
💭 T H O U G H T S
The Vanishing Half was a book club selection, and I'm grateful it was because it sparked lots of fascinating discussions. It's just one of those books that makes you think and question. There are so many powerful themes throughout. First off, the theme of family is key to the plot, and explores the bonds over time and distance. Secondly, shedding an identity - the mere fact that Stella felt it necessary you make the choice she did is heartbreaking, yet eye-opening to the harsh realties of race. It drives home the privileges that come with looking, speaking and acting a certain way. Lastly, Brit Bennett has delivered a phenomenally written novel with exceptional character growth. The characters really came to life while reading, and the different journeys each character leads based on their decisions. While the story is slow to develop, here it seemed necessary to allow the reader to reflect on life, and challenges us to consider the harsh realties faced by people of colour. I particularly liked that everything wasn't tied up all neat in the end. This felt a whole lot more authentic to the realities of life. The twin concept is used to perfection, and conveys how each person is truly their own being, with Stella and Desiree's lives being completely different.
The Vanishing Half is an important and timely exploration of racism and colorism delving into the influence and hold the past has on generations of people. The topic of transgender identity takes a backseat throughout the story, but is all too important addition to this powerful story. While I didn't love it as much as everyone else, it's easy to see why it is such a success. It's certainly a unique take on historical fiction and a worthwhile read.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of multigeneration family sagas
• those who enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing and Ask Again, Yes
• Book clubs
• readers looking for an own voices or BIPOC read
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"She didn't like talking about Sam to Early, didn't even want to imagine both men existing within the same expanse of her life. Besides, Jude wasn't like Sam either. She was, in a way, like Stella. Private, like if she told you anything about herself, she was giving away something she could never get back."
"A body would be labeled but a person couldn't, and the different between the two depended on that muscle in your chest. That beloved organ, not sentient, not aware, not feeling, just pumping along, keeping you alive."
"'Well, maybe that's your problem,' Kennedy said. 'You tell yourself no before anyone even says it to you.'"
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Dementia, and Death of parent
abandonment, colorism, discrimination, lynchingellaaj'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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Transphobia, Dementia, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Grief