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A review by whatjamieread
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I’ve been sitting on this review for a week now. For some reason I find it extremely easy to review bad books and good books, but GREAT books often leave me speechless. The Vanishing Half was definitely a “booksta made me do it” read. Truthfully, I’m not sure I would have picked it up if it wasn’t for you guys because the synopsis really didn’t speak to me (and it still doesn’t) but I’m so glad I did.
It’s rare for an author to discuss multiple complex issues tactfully enough for me not to be annoyed. But Brit Bennett managed to discuss family, sisterhood, motherhood, friendship, colorism, racism, gender identity, abusive relationships, and love in one single story. As I read, I felt like with every chapter my attachment to every character, even the ones I disliked, grew. I want more from this world. Bennett’s writing style, specifically the way she rights character dialogue is so beautiful. I find myself thinking back on conversations from this story and remembering them as if I was present in the room when they occurred.
I truly could dedicate an entire thesis paper to the colorism that drives the plot in this story and the way it effected both Stella and Desiree, but also Jude. Colorism is responsible for the separate and unique paths each sister took. Colorism affects every moment of Jude’s life from the moment she arrives in Mallard. It’s a serious issue today and examining it with a historical eye taught me so much that I wasn’t expecting to learn.
Obviously, this is a 5⭐️ read. There’s not a single chapter, paragraph, sentence, or word that I would change about this book. I know that I will reread this several times over the course of my life and I might be a little bit obsessed with Brit Bennet.
It’s rare for an author to discuss multiple complex issues tactfully enough for me not to be annoyed. But Brit Bennett managed to discuss family, sisterhood, motherhood, friendship, colorism, racism, gender identity, abusive relationships, and love in one single story. As I read, I felt like with every chapter my attachment to every character, even the ones I disliked, grew. I want more from this world. Bennett’s writing style, specifically the way she rights character dialogue is so beautiful. I find myself thinking back on conversations from this story and remembering them as if I was present in the room when they occurred.
I truly could dedicate an entire thesis paper to the colorism that drives the plot in this story and the way it effected both Stella and Desiree, but also Jude. Colorism is responsible for the separate and unique paths each sister took. Colorism affects every moment of Jude’s life from the moment she arrives in Mallard. It’s a serious issue today and examining it with a historical eye taught me so much that I wasn’t expecting to learn.
Obviously, this is a 5⭐️ read. There’s not a single chapter, paragraph, sentence, or word that I would change about this book. I know that I will reread this several times over the course of my life and I might be a little bit obsessed with Brit Bennet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Racism