Reviews tagging 'Antisemitism'

Passing by Nella Larsen

6 reviews

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

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

kayladaila's review

dark informative 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death and Murder

Minor: Alcohol, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, and Religious bigotry

caseythereader's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

 - Look, you don't need me to tell you this classic is an excellent book. It's fantastic, full stop. It reads easily for an older book: I could not put it down.
- What I didn't realize is that it's also essentially a psychological thriller, as we watch Irene try to figure out why she's drawn to Clare, and as Clare takes ever more risks to insert herself into Irene's life.
- Also, big time queer subtext vibes in here. I'd love to see a retelling or adaptation that plays that aspect up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Suicide

Minor: Hate crime, Antisemitism, and Slavery

obviousthings's review

challenging emotional reflective tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Death

Minor: Infidelity, Antisemitism, Fatphobia, and Child abuse

liteartha's review against another edition

4.0

this was incredible! and such a readable classic, too. larsen’s prose flows so smoothly and i found myself completely immersed. passing offers such food for thought on the intersectional issues of race, class, and gender. and that ending?! i’ll be rereading this one for sure, and annotating as i do

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Infidelity and Death

Minor: Antisemitism