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megelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
"As far as I can see, you’ll just have to endure some things and give up others. As we’ve said before, everything must be paid for."
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Death of parent
gabbygarcia's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
caelinsullivan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death and Death of parent
f18's review
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent
colourismzombiezami's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Outing
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol
Colorismsamchase112's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
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
4.75
This incredible novella is such a whirlwind. There is so much emotion and turmoil hidden among its pages, much like the turmoil hidden among the time period its set in. All I can say is, remain unspoiled for this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
laurenleigh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.5
I love me some jazz age tales of debauchery and excess, but this important work brings light to another side of 1920’s American culture. Black Americans faced innumerable injustices, and Larsen’s story here zooms in close to analyze two lives in particular, Irene and Claire. Both are Black, both are light enough to “pass” as white, but only one is actively doing so on a regular basis. The dynamic between these two was complex and multilayered, even in such a short piece. The part that struck me most was Irene’s inner turmoil about her double consciousness. If she has to pick one, where do her loyalties lie? To herself and her family? Or to her race? What if what you want or need is at odds with what is best for your community? I highly recommend checking this book out if you liked Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half. I couldn’t help but compare the two, and I’m sure this work influenced Bennett. Robin Miles was, as usual, a perfect narrator. Whenever someone asks me for narrator recommendations, she’s always on my list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
laurenw's review
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Death and Infidelity
Minor: Hate crime and Death of parent