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avie_j's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Hate crime and Gun violence
midnightmarauder's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Even though The Vanishing Half is a work of fiction, a lot of the subject matter can overlap into issues many of us still face today: racism/colorism/featurism, identity issues, the overwhelming desire to become someone other than yourself, etc. This book covers in all in just under 400 pages.
Some of the things I loved include the insertion of a trans man in a time period where they didn't really exist, nor are they mentioned often in historical fiction (Reese quickly became one of my favorite characters in the story; he and Jude's love story was a beautiful thing to watch unfold), how colorism and racism can lead to such big consequences amongst the black community, and the nonlinear writing structure; a style that left me staying up, just to see what would happen next.
Some things I would've liked to know more about include Stella, Kennedy, and Blake's fates. Did Stella and Kennedygo to Adele's funeral? I know that Jude was the one to call Kennedy and tell her that she died, but she wasn't mentioned ever again.
As for Stella,she is last seen leaving Mallard after placing her wedding ring into Early's palm and telling him to "take care of her Mama." There is a part afterwards that shows Blake brushing off Stella's missing ring and telling her that he's going to replace it, but, that's all. Did they choose not to call Stella, or did Stella simply go back to make herself feel a little better for leaving her family, relished in their grief, only to disappear again and cut off all contact like before?
Lastly, Blake:Did Stella ever come clean about her past, or did she come home and act as though nothing had happened? She couldn't leave behind the life that she had built for herself—the money, the marriage, the privilege—for a family she had known much longer than Blake. No, ma'am.
All in all, this book was one that was very hard to put down. All I can really say is wow. Brit Bennet is a marvelous writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Some of the things I loved include the insertion of a trans man in a time period where they didn't really exist, nor are they mentioned often in historical fiction (Reese quickly became one of my favorite characters in the story; he and Jude's love story was a beautiful thing to watch unfold), how colorism and racism can lead to such big consequences amongst the black community, and the nonlinear writing structure; a style that left me staying up, just to see what would happen next.
Some things I would've liked to know more about include Stella, Kennedy, and Blake's fates. Did Stella and Kennedy
As for Stella,
Lastly, Blake:
All in all, this book was one that was very hard to put down. All I can really say is wow. Brit Bennet is a marvelous writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Racism, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Terminal illness, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Sexism
mjones14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
1.75
This book sent me into a massive reading slump. It took me 4 months to finish and I nearly DNFed it.
HOWEVER, I can appreciate that it is beautifully written, it was just not the book I thought was or a book that naturally appeals to me.
HOWEVER, I can appreciate that it is beautifully written, it was just not the book I thought was or a book that naturally appeals to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Transphobia and Dementia
Minor: Grief, Bullying, Stalking, and Medical content
notartgarfunkel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Racism, Racial slurs, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content
sammietee's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Death of parent, Classism, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Abandonment
librabby's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Racism, and Death of parent
ruthmoog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I was excited to read this based on the blurb, but it wasn't what I expected at all. Sister Sister it is not!
The reality of colorism and racism is laid out in the pages, and the impact of Stella's decision is greatly felt by her family, especially the children - who's own stories make up about half the narrative, if not more.
The reality of colorism and racism is laid out in the pages, and the impact of Stella's decision is greatly felt by her family, especially the children - who's own stories make up about half the narrative, if not more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy and Gaslighting
corriejn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Mid-century story of several generations, the plot centering around identical twin teen girls leaving their small, isolated southern town of fair-skinned Black residents and how they carve out their own paths from there (one deciding to pass as white). Multiple generations of the family play a role as major characters, and it includes main themes of race/racism, colorism, family/relationships, and gender.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Racism, Racial slurs, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Transphobia, and Sexual assault
Minor: Medical content
innastholiel's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Physical abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Hate crime, Violence, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexism, Sexual assault, Dysphoria, Medical content, Rape, and Sexual violence
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
finally read this to see what all the hype is abt, and the vanishing half is indeed quite a gripping read that intriguingly dissects race in america, though i wish the execution was a lil more polished.
this book's quite a page-turner, the search for the lost twin akin to a drama mystery, albeit w/ no officials. the main characters and their inner psyches are complex and developed; even when u hate their choices, u understand why they do it. the bond between desiree and stella's also believable in each twin's desire to be her own individual yet whose identity's deeply connected to another. the inclusion of the queer community is surprisingly natural and nuanced as well, esp w/ reese.
and ofc, this novel's highlight is its exploration and depiction of being black in america: racism, colorism, misogynoir, relationship to a white supremacist society. desiree's and stella's diverging lives and the consequences of that def raise a lot of thought-provoking points, all of which are difficult and uncomfortable. i also appreciate how bennett doesnt depict any group - however despicable they are - as a monolith; even the racist white ppl receive a nuanced portrayal and it makes the book much more interesting to read.
however, i do have a couple issues w/ the novel. the narrative structure, imo, is unnecessarily convoluted and confusing. not even bc of the time skips, but the random reminiscing of past events and foreshadowing phrases that aim to take advantage of the omniscient POV but ends up causing confusion and distraction instead. the multiple character viewpoints in a chapter only further compounds this issue.
the multiple POVs and timelines also mean that focus on each is arbitrary and at times unsatisfactory, cutting things off to early. as there's a lot of action happening, some characters - like desiree - are neglected and we dont spend enough time whether w/ her or in her head. the focus on plot development results in not enough focus and time on certain characters' emotions, feelings, and change.
the prose could also be more polished; currently it does do what it needs to do, but the writing comes across as too blunt or detached at times. and somehow, despite the book doing a great job of incisively examining blackness in america, i feel like it's not enough somehow, that sth's still missing, just a lil spark. basically i feel like bennett couldve taken things even further or deeper, but perhaps she aims to focus more on the characters and the 'small' story.
overall, this is a thought-provoking, insightful book that incisively examines blackness in america, though i personally think it couldve been even better.
this book's quite a page-turner, the search for the lost twin akin to a drama mystery, albeit w/ no officials. the main characters and their inner psyches are complex and developed; even when u hate their choices, u understand why they do it. the bond between desiree and stella's also believable in each twin's desire to be her own individual yet whose identity's deeply connected to another. the inclusion of the queer community is surprisingly natural and nuanced as well, esp w/ reese.
and ofc, this novel's highlight is its exploration and depiction of being black in america: racism, colorism, misogynoir, relationship to a white supremacist society. desiree's and stella's diverging lives and the consequences of that def raise a lot of thought-provoking points, all of which are difficult and uncomfortable. i also appreciate how bennett doesnt depict any group - however despicable they are - as a monolith; even the racist white ppl receive a nuanced portrayal and it makes the book much more interesting to read.
however, i do have a couple issues w/ the novel. the narrative structure, imo, is unnecessarily convoluted and confusing. not even bc of the time skips, but the random reminiscing of past events and foreshadowing phrases that aim to take advantage of the omniscient POV but ends up causing confusion and distraction instead. the multiple character viewpoints in a chapter only further compounds this issue.
the multiple POVs and timelines also mean that focus on each is arbitrary and at times unsatisfactory, cutting things off to early. as there's a lot of action happening, some characters - like desiree - are neglected and we dont spend enough time whether w/ her or in her head. the focus on plot development results in not enough focus and time on certain characters' emotions, feelings, and change.
the prose could also be more polished; currently it does do what it needs to do, but the writing comes across as too blunt or detached at times. and somehow, despite the book doing a great job of incisively examining blackness in america, i feel like it's not enough somehow, that sth's still missing, just a lil spark. basically i feel like bennett couldve taken things even further or deeper, but perhaps she aims to focus more on the characters and the 'small' story.
overall, this is a thought-provoking, insightful book that incisively examines blackness in america, though i personally think it couldve been even better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Abandonment