Reviews

Quicksand and Passing by Nella Larsen

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thart3's review

3.0

A bit slow, but vivid descriptions of characters make these novellas interesting. The only problem that I had with Quicksand was that it jut ended. I guess that it lived up to its title.

helenace13's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.0

I was really into the first story, but the second -the one I had to read for uni- wasn't really my cup of tea. It was alright though I wouldn't have picked the book up if I didn't have to. Yet I think I would like to read simular books in the future...

alexisrt's review

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Quicksand and Passing (American Women Writers Series) by Nella Larsen (1986)

helenaruby's review

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mysterious reflective 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

4.0

quicksand:

a really effective and interesting short story. i’ve had a special interest in harlem renaissance literature since coming across it in one of my modules so i am really pleased that my friend gifted this book to me :’) the tone of this book probably isn’t for everyone. it’s verbose in a way that i find satisfying and stimulating but that might be a drag to others. the story has so many different interpretations. i first thought this story was a partly autobiographical drama on a biracial woman seeking belonging and finding herself. then the sheer melodrama of her conversion to christianity made me wonder, wait, have i been reading a satire on like.. mixed people’s sense of exceptionalism and blindness to their privilege this whole time??? at the depressing ending i came to the conclusion that above anything else this is a story about a black woman’s fight with depression in a world that can’t fathom black girls and women doing anything but putting up and shutting up. a very worthy read imo

passing:

more of a slow burn then quicksand, but it builds to something really incredible. where quicksand is autobiographical and meandering (or reflective), passing seems very intentionally structured in parts and chapters. i saw the movie adaptation of this before reading this book and from what i remember, this book is much much better. all the intricacies of irene’s psyche are translate much better on paper than on screen, in my opinion. this is also one of the only times i can remember an abrupt, shocking ending working perfectly. i understand why this novella is on so many syllabi, it’s a fantastic work to study. worth a read if you like character focused books (more so than plot focused)!!

sirlancelot2021's review

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dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

jordannchloee's review

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4.0

4 stars overall

quicksand - 4.25

quicksand was an interesting exploration in life being mixed race and felt like a real journey. the characters were full and real and the strife of trying to learn herself enthralled me. i really liked most bits but some portions i could go without

passing - 3.75 or 4

arguably her more popular novel, this one felt harder to get into for me. it was certainly interesting but clare was a frustrating character and so was irene. no one felt possible to root for

both certainly hold up as novels today. enjoyable, enlightening, good reads (teehee))