A review by helenaruby
Quicksand and Passing by Nella Larsen

mysterious reflective fast-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

quicksand: 

a really effective and interesting short story. i’ve had a special interest in harlem renaissance literature since coming across it in one of my modules so i am really pleased that my friend gifted this book to me :’) the tone of this book probably isn’t for everyone. it’s verbose in a way that i find satisfying and stimulating but that might be a drag to others. the story has so many different interpretations. i first thought this story was a partly autobiographical drama on a biracial woman seeking belonging and finding herself. then the sheer melodrama of her conversion to christianity made me wonder, wait, have i been reading a satire on like.. mixed people’s sense of exceptionalism and blindness  to their privilege this whole time??? at the depressing ending i came to the conclusion that above anything else this is a story about a black woman’s fight with depression in a world that can’t fathom black girls and women doing anything but putting up and shutting up. a very worthy read imo

passing:

more of a slow burn then quicksand, but it builds to something really incredible. where quicksand is autobiographical and meandering (or reflective), passing seems very intentionally structured in parts and chapters. i saw the movie adaptation of this before reading this book and from what i remember, this book is much much better. all the intricacies of irene’s psyche are translate much better on paper than on screen, in my opinion. this is also one of the only times i can remember an abrupt, shocking ending working perfectly. i understand why this novella is on so many syllabi, it’s a fantastic work to study. worth a read if you like character focused books (more so than plot focused)!!