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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
How a gut-wrenching decision by one twin affected multiple lives for a generation. Lies and pain, all to protect a secret that these days matters less, although I wish I could say it matters not at all. Racism continues....
I kow some have said that this book does not go deep enough into issues like racism and colorism, and the LGBTQ community. I can't say whether it did or not, but I do feel like the characters dealt with these issues in the best ways that they knew how.
The book initially follows two twins who lived different lives, because one cut ties with her family and past to pass as white. I like how the author has a lot of compassion for the sister (Stella) who was able to pass as white (just as her twin Desiree could have) and shows how doing this was not a deliberate choice to live as a white person, but as a way to get employment (which is necessary) and later to keep her relationships and marriage intact and raise her child. The consequences of Stella deciding to reveal the truth to her husband or really anyone else would have been disastrous and the book makes that plain. I am not saying that she did the right thing, but I couldn't judge Stella at all, and was sad that her only two choices were to continue to lie about everything and forget her past, or tell the truth and lose everything including her child. I wished several times she would lose her white husband though... The book ended on a very hopeful note, so maybe that is still possible. Lol.
The book also touches on gender identity and transgender issues. In this case, Reese identifies as a man, and forcing himself to conform to his biological sex could be another version of trying to "pass" while society might view him as a male impersonator for living true to himself. Reese's story along with that of the twins demonstrate how genes unfairly decide how others will treat you and how hard your life will be, or rather, how society decides how your life will be based on your appearance.
I love how the novel also follows the lives of Stella and Desiree's daughters--Kennedy and Jude--and shows how they pay the consquences of their mothers' decisions and grapple with issues of racial identity and colorism in their generation.
The book initially follows two twins who lived different lives, because one cut ties with her family and past to pass as white. I like how the author has a lot of compassion for the sister (Stella) who was able to pass as white (just as her twin Desiree could have) and shows how doing this was not a deliberate choice to live as a white person, but as a way to get employment (which is necessary) and later to keep her relationships and marriage intact and raise her child. The consequences of Stella deciding to reveal the truth to her husband or really anyone else would have been disastrous and the book makes that plain. I am not saying that she did the right thing, but I couldn't judge Stella at all, and was sad that her only two choices were to continue to lie about everything and forget her past, or tell the truth and lose everything including her child. I wished several times she would lose her white husband though... The book ended on a very hopeful note, so maybe that is still possible. Lol.
The book also touches on gender identity and transgender issues. In this case, Reese identifies as a man, and forcing himself to conform to his biological sex could be another version of trying to "pass" while society might view him as a male impersonator for living true to himself. Reese's story along with that of the twins demonstrate how genes unfairly decide how others will treat you and how hard your life will be, or rather, how society decides how your life will be based on your appearance.
I love how the novel also follows the lives of Stella and Desiree's daughters--Kennedy and Jude--and shows how they pay the consquences of their mothers' decisions and grapple with issues of racial identity and colorism in their generation.
An interesting, almost surreal tale of growing up in the American south and the possibility of escaping one’s destiny by assuming an alternative identity. There are several characters who are living alternate lives, for different reasons and the characters are well drawn. Sad commentary on Americans and American society.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A really interesting concept and a very well-written book. I loved the prose in this, paragraphs drawing me into the action, making me want to keep reading.
Some of the time-hopping, especially toward the end of the book felt a little choppy to me. I wasn’t quite sure when the events were happening or in what order. Still, it’s a good read with plenty of twists and turns as we follow the lives of these very different women.
Some of the time-hopping, especially toward the end of the book felt a little choppy to me. I wasn’t quite sure when the events were happening or in what order. Still, it’s a good read with plenty of twists and turns as we follow the lives of these very different women.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes