Reviews

Passing by Nella Larsen

lpower's review against another edition

challenging dark informative reflective tense 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

5.0

marylin011's review against another edition

mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

gdenav's review against another edition

reflective 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

2.0

justlilah's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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? No

4.0

Had to read this for class but it was actually so good. Doesn’t read like a book from the 1930s, in my opinion. Sapphic vibes are imaculate. Took one star off for the ending. Left me feeling: 😕

bustyphillips's review against another edition

5.0

INCREDIBLE...
I will try to write a full review soon because this novel truly fucked me up. I have to write an essay on it this week so hopefully that will inspire me to write a non-academic version of it here.

lovemyshelf's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring 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

5.0

sixcubes's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.25

tinydoll's review against another edition

5.0

"it was, she cried silently, enough to suffer as a woman, an individual, on one's own account, without having to suffer for the race as well."

moonshineforest's review against another edition

4.0

read for a class

alealejandre's review against another edition

3.0

they should’ve been lesbian lovers. i surely thought they were going to be, but they weren’t. two women so incredibly different, and for as much as irene judged clare’s choices, she doesn’t mind when people perceive her the same way as they do clare if its for a short moment. a proximity to privilege will drive you crazy, focusing so many on things that have nothing to do with the real enemy in the room. even hugh, who irene seemed to be so fond of, was so clearly a white supremacist it genuinely astounded me that irene’s character didnt read in between the lines of his comments. i think at times, it feels easier to ignore the red flags of the white people around us that we so dearly want to be better than they are in actuality. this is a clear portrait of that.

it was enjoyable to read irene’s ever evolving feelings about clare, and through a queer lens, this would’ve ended differently, or very much the same but with different motives. it certainly captivated my attention for the entirety of the time it took me to read it, as short and sweet surely did not disappoint. it certainly makes a point about showcasing colorism, and how even if you are proud of your cultural heritage, it is impossible to escape the constant pressure from the ever-looming majority.