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beigemoose's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.75
ainedcodonnell's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
lizreadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
A work read that surprised me. I wish this were taught in more lit classes.
spatterson12's review against another edition
4.0
A thought-provoking read that examines how a lie or omission can have consequences outside of what is imagined and how it can affect those who know the truth.
Two women are accidentally reunited after more than a decade apart. Irene is visiting from New York when a ghost appears. No one from her community has heard from Clare after her father passed 12 years before. There were rumors of catching glimpses of her, but no real direct interaction.
Irene learns that during her absence, Clare has been passing as a white woman, has married a racist white man who is unaware of her true identity, and has a young daughter. She also learns that Clare is terribly lonely in her new life.
This chance reunion encourages Clare to seek a friendship with Irene, one that Irene isn’t too sure she wants but Clare’s presence is too captivating to dismiss.
The forward by Brit Bennett was informative, but it spoiled some sections of the book. Especially the ending, so I sat waiting for the big reveal to happen. I’m interested to check out the Netflix portrayal later this weekend.
Two women are accidentally reunited after more than a decade apart. Irene is visiting from New York when a ghost appears. No one from her community has heard from Clare after her father passed 12 years before. There were rumors of catching glimpses of her, but no real direct interaction.
Irene learns that during her absence, Clare has been passing as a white woman, has married a racist white man who is unaware of her true identity, and has a young daughter. She also learns that Clare is terribly lonely in her new life.
This chance reunion encourages Clare to seek a friendship with Irene, one that Irene isn’t too sure she wants but Clare’s presence is too captivating to dismiss.
The forward by Brit Bennett was informative, but it spoiled some sections of the book. Especially the ending, so I sat waiting for the big reveal to happen. I’m interested to check out the Netflix portrayal later this weekend.
alyx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.75
dinasamimi's review against another edition
3.0
I'll preface this by saying I don't typically like books from this era. I also think it's tough to rate and examine this from a non-Black perspective in 2021. I suppose that it was groundbreaking and dangerous in the 1920s. The story is fast-moving and escalates quickly. The writing is fine, yet the influence of this book is probably the most profound thing about it. Passing and colorism are pretty prolific topics in literature now, in no small part because of this book.
reila's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.75