Reviews

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

intentionaltorts's review against another edition

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5.0

This made me feel so much… wow!!! I had a visceral reaction to this book - I felt so much anger and heartache. The Vanishing Half is a beautiful, anguished story that weaves together familial narratives across time, explores racial identity and colorism, and features relationship dynamics ranging from wonderful, mediocre, to downright ugly. Just amazing.

kconte01's review

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

unfortunatelycole's review against another edition

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5.0

I have never cried while reading a book but this one almost got me

vivian_m_anderson's review against another edition

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slow-paced

4.75

it was daring, surprising constantly in a way i never could have expected! it's an exploration of racism, the south, wealth, queer identity, and gender

megankriegel's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Loved the narrator

megankriegel's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

alba_romero's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

birdinflight1's review against another edition

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4.0

So good. I had so many questions as I read. I kept wondering why is "passing" such a big deal? I am aware that this definitely shows my white privilege. I am continuously learning about the enormous damage that racism has done/is doing to people's psyche, and I'm glad to have books like this to help me learn more about people's experiences. I was surprised to learn the extent to which the character's passing affected her and all of her relationships.

joetatum24's review against another edition

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5.0

What parts of ourselves do we hide, hoping they’ll vanish completely? I once went on a date with someone who was obsessed with art in which the title of the art changes the meaning of its contents. I find myself mulling over the different layers of vanishing that occur in this novel- vanishing from society, self, family. The pacing and plot of this novel are engaging and compelling and while reading, I found so many moments of wisdom, particularly at the end of sections or chapters. Characters’ lives interweave beautifully and time, location, and race are all important factors that are explored quite wholly throughout. Definitely would recommend. The rare novel that I really enjoyed that didn’t also make me cry.

nike_1212's review against another edition

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5.0

The amount of times I got goosebumps... I can’t even count. Such a special book.