A review by grboph
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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

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

Minor: Sexual content, Homophobia, 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.