Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Passing by Nella Larsen

12 reviews

wytnie's review against another edition

4.5

I liked the book i was mainly interested in it because I'm black and wanted to see how this subject would be addressed in the past. I think the writing was interesting given how old it is but not bad. Thinking about reading "quicksand" that's also by Nella Larsen. Lastly, idk if its just me but sometimes it kind of felt like Clare and Irene liked each other because at times it gave "ex-girlfriends who still love each other" instead of old kinda sorta friends.

I will say, personally i am so happy that who died in the end did, i feel like it was the only way for things to get better for literally any of the other characters, I also think its kind of what she wanted in her own way.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Infidelity, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Racism, Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship

threeundertwopnw's review against another edition

reflective sad 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

4.0

I was not prepared for the ending. Overall a fascinating slice of history. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Racism, Death, Toxic friendship, Racial slurs, and Classism

rieviolet's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.0

This novella packs a lot into a little more than one hundred pages. 

In the foreground there's race and the concept of passing, with all of its moral implications. I think the theme is explored really well, and through the different characters we can observe all of its nuances. 

The author is also good at delving deep into the main character's psychology. The relationship between Irene and Clare is fraught with conflicting emotions, and it is build upon in a very clever way until the shocking breaking point.

I really appreciated the themes and the prose, but I wasn't completely swept away by the story, hence the 4-star rating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Misogyny

Minor: Infidelity, Child abuse, Antisemitism, Murder, Suicide, Xenophobia, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Hate crime, Religious bigotry, Fatphobia, and Classism

iridaceae's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Classism, and Racism

greenan26's review

dark emotional informative tense medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Classism

lateromantic's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative 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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Outing

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Blood, Hate crime, Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Cultural appropriation, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Classism, Stalking, and Colonisation

waytoomanybooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

A unique and fascinating classic novel. It's easy to get sucked into Irene and Clare's world of secrets. You really feel for the two women, even when they are hard to like or love.

For what it's worth, the movie follows the book to a tee!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, Grief, and Murder

toffishay's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective 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

4.0

I am surprised that I waited so long to read this book; I really enjoyed it! This book explores themes of race, identity, and what we own others who we are in community with through the story of a Black woman "passing", moving through society as a white woman. Really though, the plot is about the relationship between Clare and Irene, what these two woman want out of their lives...and what they are willing to do to get it. If you like Sula by Toni Morrison (which I love) you'll like this book :) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, and Racial slurs

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Death, Sexism, Classism, and Infidelity

Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Antisemitism, Alcohol, Hate crime, War, and Bullying

jhbandcats's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

While there are many qualities that make this a "good book,” I didn't enjoy reading it. I didn't care for either Irene or Clare, the protagonists. I could see why each made the choices she did, but I didn't find them likable characters. Clare was too desperate and driven, determined to have everything, no matter the cost. Irene was too insecure and weak. I couldn't understand how her determination to avoid Clare would vanish like a wisp of smoke the minute Clare appeared.

That said, I can't begin to imagine the terrors life would hold for someone passing. Even today there's so much
racism that I imagine anyone caught passing would be a pariah. A hundred years ago, Clare's life would be ruined. Being married to a virulent bigot must have taken incredible courage.

A fascinating look at New York upper-middle-class Black society in the 1920s.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism and Racism

froggybooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Racial slurs, Racism, and Death