A review by storykath
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

challenging emotional 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

4.0

The Vanishing Half tells the interweaving stories of Desiree and Stella Vignes, light-skinned Black twins whose lives diverge drastically, Desiree returning home and Stella passing as white. As each twin starts a family, we see just how different their lives have become, as well as the ways they remain inextricably linked.

I enjoyed the perspective shifts throughout the story, as well as the wide-ranging timeline. The story felt expansive and intimate at the same time. Not everything was wrapped up neatly or narratively satisfying, which I think is part of what makes the characters' stories feel real. There's no perfect ending after the messy beginnings, only an attempt to pick up the pieces and make the most of what's left. Everyone goes on with their lives, and the impact of others on them varies as each character tries to do what's best for themselves.

I sometimes got confused with timelines towards the end - we jumped around between memories and the present, and it wasn't always clear to me what was happening when.
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