Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

78 reviews

noxygens's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Dementia, Death of parent, and Classism

Minor: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Xenophobia

madisone's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Death of parent

karenmariscalo's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism and Classism

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Transphobia, Dementia, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

weaverca's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Classism

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Dementia

grboph's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I think this was the best book I've read so far this year. The story was unique and very well thought out, and it had some of the most interesting characters of any book I've ever read. The story was very thought-provoking and made me think about the concepts of history and identity in ways I had not before. I also really liked that it explored the motivations behind each of the characters' choices and stories in ways that really made the reader think about them. Bennett is a wonderful writer and tells the story so remarkably well. I will definitely be thinking about this book for a long time into the future. I would recommend this book to just about anyone in the world, and particularly anyone who is looking for a good historical-fiction book to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Medical content, Alcohol, and Classism

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Transphobia

The twins' separation (and one's abandonment of the other) drives much of the action in this book, as does one twin's escape from her abusive husband which leads her back to her hometown. Also, many of the things that happen to the characters in this book are a result of racism, such as people denying them jobs and their father's death at the hands of a mob. Additionally, the main characters' mother dies after suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

bcastaneda's review against another edition

challenging emotional inspiring reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Hate crime, Racism, Sexual assault, and Classism

gabgeh's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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

4.5

Fantastic writing, unique concept expertly explored. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Dementia, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Classism

this_is_lee's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

This was such A beautiful book. The story follows two intricate characters and the ways that their paths diverge, cross and meld. It is hard to read at times but it is incredibly worth it in the end. 
Very enlightening. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, and Classism

smkelly1997's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

Wow. All I can say is wow. Incredible. Captivating. Wow. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Abandonment, and Classism

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Dementia

cptnstphy's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

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

The Vanishing Half was an interesting and nuanced exploration of racism/internalized racism, family ties (whether embraced or resisted), and distinguishing oneself from one's family. I enjoyed the multi-generational approach (Jude was my favourite character) and its adventurous qualities.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Classism