Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Passing

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Passing by Nella Larsen

35 reviews

utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-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

A short exploration of identity and racism at a pivotal moment in the 20th century. The introduction in this edition provided some great background on Larsen's life, which also put this somewhat auto-biographical story into context.
The prose was very good, and Irene's inner monologue and anxieties provide the tension that keeps the book thrumming. Her complex feelings about Clare's choices were presented in the confusing way that she experiences them. The ending shocked me despite already knowing the events that would occur.
A really thought-provoking book, discussing identity in a way I had not really considered previously.

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kerrence30's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Really interesting insight into the idea of “passing” that I’d never have considered before. Very of it’s time, so extreme levels of bigotry and blatant racism throughout.

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wytnie's review against another edition

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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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threeundertwopnw's review against another edition

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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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maraudergrl90's review

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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chwinters's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious

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

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rieviolet's review against another edition

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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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