Reviews

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

amyalreads58's review against another edition

3.75

I really liked the first half and then it felt like it kind of went a weird direction. 

pink_armadillo's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

This book is so tender. It went right into my middle. I learned a lot about a society I don’t know but hear a lot about. I was surprised and delighted that trans identity was a theme as well. Also handled in such an understanding and tender way. 

bellariddell's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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

3.0

farhana101's review against another edition

4.0

*3.7 stars

This was definitely my most interesting read of 2021 so far. The literary piece focuses on 4 different women, and how their perception of their identity- white passing, heavily impacts their life choices. Twin sisters that take very different paths in life and how they navigate themselves over the span of 20 years. The story itself was very thought-provoking, at times uncomfortable as you’re forced to confront your own views of race but the ending was very unsatisfying. The author leaves her characters without much closure which was frustrating.

cosmiq_unicorn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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

5.0

rosie_rryan's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

janagaton's review against another edition

3.0

So glad I finally got through this. I really wanted to love it. But I just didn't. Maybe if I read it physically so I could've better appreciated the writing? But I listened to it on audio, and the narrator's voice was soothing & nice to listen to, but I just couldn't get myself to care about the characters nor the overall storyline.

booksforv's review against another edition

4.0

Everyone has read The Vanishing Half by now so I’ll cut it short and agree with the general sentiment: it’s a solid, good book. A beautifully-written, intricate, compelling novel.

Who knew I would enjoy historical fiction so much?

psfordo's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

kamrynharned's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

3.5

This story was beautifully written. It pulled you into the experiences of the characters - the experience of being a twin, the experience of being very black, and the experience of being white. The experience of being in loving relationships and the experience of being in dangerous ones - all of them complicated.  This book touched on its themes without being preachy. There were some beautiful quotes that stuck out to me while listening to the book, which doesn’t happen often.  While the characters were well developed, and jumping timeline and POV was well-done, the book just didn’t make me feel anything. The characters and the storyline didn’t do anything for me, and I don’t think I’m going to remember much about it in a few months. 

“People thought that being one of a kind made you special. No, it just made you lonely. What was special was belonging with someone else.”

“Her death hit in waves. Not a flood, but water lapping steadily at her ankles. You could drown in two inches of water. Maybe grief was the same.”