The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lindseykuhle's review against another edition
5.0
A new favorite. It’s just a stunning, haunting read. I devoured it and cannot recommend it enough.
kpatrice362's review against another edition
5.0
A sweeping story that tackles the pain of coming face to face with one’s identity, understanding how perception can affect one’s life, and the nuances and judgmental attitude of the black community, all wrapped in beautiful prose.
Witnessing a racially charged murder leads two identical “light-skinned” black twins to run away from home. One continues to live as black, while one passes as white. Their stories reveal what it means to be black or to be white on a personal level, but also how race is often just a performance, and how identity is ever-changing. There is no judgement for either sisters’ decisions in the novel. We live with them as they grapple with the life they chose.
What I especially love about this book is how it tackles the harmful judgmental attitude in the black community. Mallard is a town of light-skinned black people who know they aren’t white, but don’t want to be treated as black, and thus heavily internalize racism and colorism. The story explores the nuances of this environment and the effect it can have on young people trying to form their identity.
I also enjoyed the continuous motif of a “vanishing half”, most importantly Adele losing her husband, her “other half”, to a racially charged murder, which is the incident that traumatizes her twin daughters and forces them to come face to face with their racial reality. Also present is a trans character, a drag queen, and an actress, all passing, vanishing, or hiding parts of themselves.
With an intimate ending scene between a dark skinned woman and a transgender man, the message of Bennett’s novel is clear: No matter who you are, you are worthy of love.
Witnessing a racially charged murder leads two identical “light-skinned” black twins to run away from home. One continues to live as black, while one passes as white. Their stories reveal what it means to be black or to be white on a personal level, but also how race is often just a performance, and how identity is ever-changing. There is no judgement for either sisters’ decisions in the novel. We live with them as they grapple with the life they chose.
What I especially love about this book is how it tackles the harmful judgmental attitude in the black community. Mallard is a town of light-skinned black people who know they aren’t white, but don’t want to be treated as black, and thus heavily internalize racism and colorism. The story explores the nuances of this environment and the effect it can have on young people trying to form their identity.
I also enjoyed the continuous motif of a “vanishing half”, most importantly Adele losing her husband, her “other half”, to a racially charged murder, which is the incident that traumatizes her twin daughters and forces them to come face to face with their racial reality. Also present is a trans character, a drag queen, and an actress, all passing, vanishing, or hiding parts of themselves.
With an intimate ending scene between a dark skinned woman and a transgender man, the message of Bennett’s novel is clear: No matter who you are, you are worthy of love.
ceciliarmo's review against another edition
5.0
MUITO BOM!!! Demorei um pouco a ficar com vontade de ler pq não tinha lido nada sobre ele e achei que ia ser uma investigação sobre a irmã desaparecida ou algo do tipo (e não curto muito histórias de investigação) mas o livro me pegou muito quando começou a contar mais a história da Jude e da Kennedy. Esse livro já ganhou um bilhão de prêmios então não vou ficar repetindo os elogios que todo mundo fala enfim recomendo LEIAM!
Mas minha parte favorita definitivamente foi ler os fatos sobre a história preta não muito conhecida nos estados unidos, por exemplo que o nome California existe por conta de uma rainha negra fictícia chamada Califa! O momento em que a personagem descobre isso e fica emocionada vendo o mural da rainha na Califórnia me deixou muito emocionada e espero que façam uma edição especial eventualmente com ilustrações que preencham esses detalhes que a autora incluiu na história :’)
Mas minha parte favorita definitivamente foi ler os fatos sobre a história preta não muito conhecida nos estados unidos, por exemplo que o nome California existe por conta de uma rainha negra fictícia chamada Califa! O momento em que a personagem descobre isso e fica emocionada vendo o mural da rainha na Califórnia me deixou muito emocionada e espero que façam uma edição especial eventualmente com ilustrações que preencham esses detalhes que a autora incluiu na história :’)
burberrypancake's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
mbsjesus's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
caitlove15's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Dementia and Domestic abuse
lindsaysmeldrum's review against another edition
4.0
It was a little slow to get into but otherwise so good. I love how she weaves the story together from everyone’s view points. I like that it had a realistic ending. Very well written!
chonkooch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.5