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A review by sunpuddles
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ writing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This book is incredible on all levels. The characters are well-developed, the writing is gorgeous and the plot is nuanced and intriguing while the pacing is perfect to pull you in and along. Stella and Desiree are developed originally as almost one character. With nuanced differences, they are never apart and shown always speaking and thinking as one whole. Then the split. The rift in the narrative as you first follow Desiree with no mention of Stella, then Stella with no Desiree is the perfect literary device. The characters of their daughters - Jude and Kennedy are so opposite, the dichotomy of Black and white are felt strongly and yet the personalities also feel natural and in no way extreme. Like two more twins twice removed. I love the characters of Reese and Barry as well. The way Bennett adds a transgender and transvestite character so honestly and yet unapologetically without massive drama and with love and acceptance around them is beautiful and sadly rare. There was no plot points around misgendering, discovery, or deadnaming. However, Bennett does show the daily burden of hormones, the danger and cost of top surgery and the barrier to marriage and family. There is a strong theme of reinvention and becoming who you are despite the barriers you were given at birth. I really appreciate the layers and levels Bennett was able to bring to this book while first and foremost focusing on skin color and race in America.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ insightfulness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ readability
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ plot development
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ character
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ pace
This book is incredible on all levels. The characters are well-developed, the writing is gorgeous and the plot is nuanced and intriguing while the pacing is perfect to pull you in and along. Stella and Desiree are developed originally as almost one character. With nuanced differences, they are never apart and shown always speaking and thinking as one whole. Then the split. The rift in the narrative as you first follow Desiree with no mention of Stella, then Stella with no Desiree is the perfect literary device. The characters of their daughters - Jude and Kennedy are so opposite, the dichotomy of Black and white are felt strongly and yet the personalities also feel natural and in no way extreme. Like two more twins twice removed. I love the characters of Reese and Barry as well. The way Bennett adds a transgender and transvestite character so honestly and yet unapologetically without massive drama and with love and acceptance around them is beautiful and sadly rare. There was no plot points around misgendering, discovery, or deadnaming. However, Bennett does show the daily burden of hormones, the danger and cost of top surgery and the barrier to marriage and family. There is a strong theme of reinvention and becoming who you are despite the barriers you were given at birth. I really appreciate the layers and levels Bennett was able to bring to this book while first and foremost focusing on skin color and race in America.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Death and Drug use