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talkbookswithangela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Racism, Racial slurs, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Drug use and Physical abuse
anika_the_reader's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
This book was really different to what I usually read, but I enjoyed it a lot! It's about 2 twins that grew up in a town where everyone was black but so light they could pass for white. After they run away, one twin lives life as a white woman while the other marries a black man. The author weaves family, colorism, and fate together to create a beautiful story that spans multiple generations and perspectives. While the plot is interesting, the phenomenal writing was the best part. Everything was expressed so skillfully that I needed to read some parts out loud to fully experience how beautiful it was. I'd definitely recommend, but bear in mind that it is a little intense and not suitable for younger readers. It doesn't really follow a traditional plot structure so there were definitely some moments that left me wondering what the point was. However, the storyline was so fascinating that I'm willing to excuse that. I loved how each of the 4 main characters contrasted each other so well and how if it weren't for fate, their lives would be entirely different. I loved Jude's character and the hardships she faced in Millard almost made me cry. Kennedy and Stella annoyed me quite a lot, but I could see why they made the decisions they did. Reece was a great boyfriend and I loved the trans rep that was woven into the story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
peeniewallie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Dementia, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
Minor: Drug use and Medical content
ifersinklings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
This book was so good. It really highlighted the difference between being white, white passing, and Black. The story of the two twin sisters and their daughters and the different paths that their choices as teenagers took them was very interesting to follow. I loved Jude and Reese's storyline, too.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Medical content, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, and Violence
words_and_coffee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Hate crime, Violence, Sexual content, Racism, Racial slurs, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Transphobia and Murder
Minor: Drug use
kaitlynk_thatpageturninglife's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Drug use
mezzarella's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Like most family sagas, Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half feels as long and slow as the river. Two Black twins, one who is light-skinned and the other who is dark-skinned, forge their own ways into adulthood. One woman grows into a Black woman living through the racism and hardship of the mid 20th century. The other is able to pass as a white woman, and raises a family without even her husband ever knowing the truth. While the twins parted ways long ago, as they raise their own families and live their own lives, time brings memories surging to the present often. This story is reflective on its subject material, looking at how race and truth affect their families (both near and far away).
I truly loved watching the twins grow older and watch how their level of privilege affected their lives. Tough questions were asked about racial injustice and colorism as well as the extent that living comfortable is worth lies and forgetting who you are. This would make a great book club read, where all the details and histories can be written down and unwoven.
I truly loved watching the twins grow older and watch how their level of privilege affected their lives. Tough questions were asked about racial injustice and colorism as well as the extent that living comfortable is worth lies and forgetting who you are. This would make a great book club read, where all the details and histories can be written down and unwoven.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Racial slurs
sarahholliday's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A stunning story that absolutely lived up to the hype! My only wish is that we spent more time with Desiree--got to see a bit more of her growth & development rather that only seeing it after the fact. Apart from that, I have no complaints!
Bennett does a fantastic job layering her characters and their stories. The various types of passing, feeling torn between world and identities, attempting to find a sense of self in a world determined to tell you who you can be...all of the intricate nuances fit together beautifully.
Bennett does a fantastic job layering her characters and their stories. The various types of passing, feeling torn between world and identities, attempting to find a sense of self in a world determined to tell you who you can be...all of the intricate nuances fit together beautifully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Drug use
sunpuddles's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ writing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This book is incredible on all levels. The characters are well-developed, the writing is gorgeous and the plot is nuanced and intriguing while the pacing is perfect to pull you in and along. Stella and Desiree are developed originally as almost one character. With nuanced differences, they are never apart and shown always speaking and thinking as one whole. Then the split. The rift in the narrative as you first follow Desiree with no mention of Stella, then Stella with no Desiree is the perfect literary device. The characters of their daughters - Jude and Kennedy are so opposite, the dichotomy of Black and white are felt strongly and yet the personalities also feel natural and in no way extreme. Like two more twins twice removed. I love the characters of Reese and Barry as well. The way Bennett adds a transgender and transvestite character so honestly and yet unapologetically without massive drama and with love and acceptance around them is beautiful and sadly rare. There was no plot points around misgendering, discovery, or deadnaming. However, Bennett does show the daily burden of hormones, the danger and cost of top surgery and the barrier to marriage and family. There is a strong theme of reinvention and becoming who you are despite the barriers you were given at birth. I really appreciate the layers and levels Bennett was able to bring to this book while first and foremost focusing on skin color and race in America.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This book is incredible on all levels. The characters are well-developed, the writing is gorgeous and the plot is nuanced and intriguing while the pacing is perfect to pull you in and along. Stella and Desiree are developed originally as almost one character. With nuanced differences, they are never apart and shown always speaking and thinking as one whole. Then the split. The rift in the narrative as you first follow Desiree with no mention of Stella, then Stella with no Desiree is the perfect literary device. The characters of their daughters - Jude and Kennedy are so opposite, the dichotomy of Black and white are felt strongly and yet the personalities also feel natural and in no way extreme. Like two more twins twice removed. I love the characters of Reese and Barry as well. The way Bennett adds a transgender and transvestite character so honestly and yet unapologetically without massive drama and with love and acceptance around them is beautiful and sadly rare. There was no plot points around misgendering, discovery, or deadnaming. However, Bennett does show the daily burden of hormones, the danger and cost of top surgery and the barrier to marriage and family. There is a strong theme of reinvention and becoming who you are despite the barriers you were given at birth. I really appreciate the layers and levels Bennett was able to bring to this book while first and foremost focusing on skin color and race in America.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Death and Drug use
giulia_and_books's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What’s there to say about this book that hasn’t already been said? Set across decades and generations, it covers a vast expanse of life experiences within one family. This book explores and unpacks topics such as race, gender, identity, and how one decision can affect the rest of one’s life.
What I liked most was the writing style of Brit Bennett in telling the stories of all the characters. Through this telling, you learn everything about them: their innermost desires, thoughts, motivations, values; everything that makes them real and complex. I love a good multigenerational, character-driven and this book certainly delivers that to its readers.
I highly recommend this book to all who like a deep, emotional read about family and identity.
What I liked most was the writing style of Brit Bennett in telling the stories of all the characters. Through this telling, you learn everything about them: their innermost desires, thoughts, motivations, values; everything that makes them real and complex. I love a good multigenerational, character-driven and this book certainly delivers that to its readers.
I highly recommend this book to all who like a deep, emotional read about family and identity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Hate crime
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Dementia, and Drug use
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