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hibanana's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
kdahlo's review against another edition
5.0
I had a slight stutter at the start where this book didn't quite grab me (maybe 40 pages in?), but once it got going it had me. Really lovely book. I think really it's about secrets, and how people love each other through, around, across secrets.
ynaiita_5896's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? No
5.0
Identical twins Desiree and Stella were born and raised in Mallard, Louisiana where the residents are obsessed with people with light skin. At 16 years old, they run away from home, leaving behind their widowed mother. After choosing to go their separate ways, they also end up choosing completely different lives as adults. Ten years later, one sister returns with her black daughter to the same town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, despite being separated by miles and lies, their fates continue to remain intertwined.
Bennett beautifully paints a historical fiction that intelligently navigates race, identity, colourism, culture and sexuality with careful nuance — highlighting the varied layers in each of these themes through the eyes of something as ordinary as identical twins. A story written so intricately with elements of thrill, suspense and emotional intensity, that you just can't stop reading.
Bennett beautifully paints a historical fiction that intelligently navigates race, identity, colourism, culture and sexuality with careful nuance — highlighting the varied layers in each of these themes through the eyes of something as ordinary as identical twins. A story written so intricately with elements of thrill, suspense and emotional intensity, that you just can't stop reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Hate crime, Transphobia, and Domestic abuse
sindibookworm's review against another edition
4.0
An intergenerational family drama/historical fiction questioning topics of race, gender, identity, and class. Brit Bennett’s narration is so good that I felt as though I was reading a mystery novel that I could not put down.
treehugger513's review
5.0
Beautiful story and refreshingly told. Although it hopped around between characters and times, it was not hard to follow. The themes were important and moving.
verikamarkova's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
2.5
jansbookcorner's review
3.0
Maybe I wanted too much from this book. Not a bad book and some parts I really liked. Others were either not as much as I wanted, too coincidental or just a rushed feeling.
Interesting subject though.
Interesting subject though.
jason461's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
ebraam's review
4.0
Brit Bennett does an incredible job giving shape and story to complex themes of race, colorism and 'passing' as well as exploring identity, choice and relationships (sisters, mothers, partners, cousins) in an accessible way.
What I do wish was that the characters themselves felt more 'whole' rather than just propelling the storyline along. I wanted to know them better. I also felt like the storyline itself was a bit unrealistic; some of the plot was just left hanging and other lines got picked up in their place.
Regardless, this didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book; it deserves all the attention and praise that it's getting and I can't wait to read more!
What I do wish was that the characters themselves felt more 'whole' rather than just propelling the storyline along. I wanted to know them better. I also felt like the storyline itself was a bit unrealistic; some of the plot was just left hanging and other lines got picked up in their place.
Spoiler
How is it that in such a big city/ country/ world that Jude just happens upon Stella/ Kennedy, not once but twice? I know we're just supposed to ignore this happenstance because it is a book and not real life, but I couldn't understand why Early didn't play a bigger role in finding Stella? He is literally a bounty hunter....Regardless, this didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book; it deserves all the attention and praise that it's getting and I can't wait to read more!