Reviews

Passing (African American Heritage Classics) by Nella Larsen

awaldon1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

autumnfairy's review against another edition

4.0

Read for Uni

alexreading's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

An interesting story about being black and passing as white. I hadn't heard the ter  passing before and that it was an actual ter  used. A lot like The vanishing half in essence (or should I say the other way around as it was published in 1929) but I liked the half better. Bit short and could maybe have done with some more fleshing out,  but good. 

fatema_04's review against another edition

informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

alliehaddad's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.75

jamiethekeener's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

4.75

arianatee's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

This short novel told the tale of two women's lives as they reencounter one another after many years. I'd heard others say the style and pacing reminded them of The Great Gatsby and I agree. It felt like a momentary glimpse into the world of these characters as their way of life slowly unravels. The topics of race, and every person's perspective is well-handled. Much like Gatsby, the characters are quite flawed and not incredibly likable--things at times are left ambiguous and the ending is like that as well. At first I thought I had missed something, but as time went on I came to realize I think that's the effect the author was going for; just like our main character, the events and actions at the end are all a bit hazy and out of focus. 

I later also watched the movie on Netflix, and it was interesting to see how some scenes played out differently than how I imagined. The tension was occasionally more heightened and Irene's breakdown is much more obvious as more Claire bleeds into Irene's everyday life. A solid read presenting a more intimate and nuanced view on some serious topics. 

hannahstrashcan's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

tiogair_rioga's review against another edition

challenging dark

4.5

tmickey's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0