karenrj 's review for:

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

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This was truly a fascinating read! I'm not sure how to rate it, though, because I'm not at all sure that I understand what's going on. At points, Bennett seems to suggest that identity (racial in particular, is immutable) at times not. Gender identity does seem to be innate, essential, if you will, inborn and beyond any influence of nature or nurture. At other times, she suggests that all identity is created, largely by the individual. Whatever your conclusion, though, you'll be captivated by the story of the identical twins Stella and Desiree and their divergent fates, as well as the intertwining of the lives of their daughters, Kennedy and Jude.