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mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a powerful and heartbreaking story. I listened to it via Audible and the narrator was absolutely perfect. I could have listened to her talk forever.
Desiree and Stella Vignes are twin sisters growing up in a Louisiana town so small it’s not on any map. It’s a town made up of light-skinned black folks who pride themselves on how each generation just gets whiter and whiter. They look down on anyone who’s darker than them and make no attempts to hide their prejudice, which is sad and confusing in-and-of-itself.
Feeling suffocated and trapped by the life Mallard has laid out for them, Stella and Desiree run away to New Orléans in an attempt to make better lives for themselves.
However in their search for something more, they end up losing one another.
The story spans 20-30 years, flitting back and forth between Stella and Desiree and their children Jude and Kennedy. Going from Mallard Louisiana to New Orléans to Los Angeles to New York City, we learn what became of each sister and how their choices go on to affect the lives of their daughters.
This is a story of love, loss, lies, prejudice, acceptance and forgiveness. This was such an amazing book and I’m so glad I listened to it. I absolutely recommend this. The Vignes sisters will stay with you long after you’ve read (or listened to) the very last page.
Desiree and Stella Vignes are twin sisters growing up in a Louisiana town so small it’s not on any map. It’s a town made up of light-skinned black folks who pride themselves on how each generation just gets whiter and whiter. They look down on anyone who’s darker than them and make no attempts to hide their prejudice, which is sad and confusing in-and-of-itself.
Feeling suffocated and trapped by the life Mallard has laid out for them, Stella and Desiree run away to New Orléans in an attempt to make better lives for themselves.
However in their search for something more, they end up losing one another.
The story spans 20-30 years, flitting back and forth between Stella and Desiree and their children Jude and Kennedy. Going from Mallard Louisiana to New Orléans to Los Angeles to New York City, we learn what became of each sister and how their choices go on to affect the lives of their daughters.
This is a story of love, loss, lies, prejudice, acceptance and forgiveness. This was such an amazing book and I’m so glad I listened to it. I absolutely recommend this. The Vignes sisters will stay with you long after you’ve read (or listened to) the very last page.
wllmrlw's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
nmsaunde's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
anniema15's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
what if you were someone else!!!
issianne's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so well crafted. Bennett pulls on the heart strings so delicately that you don't even realize you're emotionally invested in the characters. I appreciate the intergenerational aspect of this book; it displayed that the choices of a mother doesn't just affect her but her child as well. At first, I was a little disappointed that we moved away from Desiree to Jude so quickly, but I realized Jude's perspective was integral in the story.
daisyjupiter's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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? No
4.0
maryeverettb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Britt Bennett's writing, the story and everything about this book. It was a hard hitting book and I loved the exploration of being black in America (particularly in the 50s) and being white passing. I will read anything else Britt Bennett writes because I just found the story hit in all the right places. All of the characters felt so human, even the side characters. It's such a beautiful book and I think it was well deserved in winning it's goodreads choice awards category.