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A review by readingthroughinfinity
Passing by Nella Larsen
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
I wanted to read this before I watched the film and before I read The Vanishing Half, as I'd read that Brit Bennett was inspired by Passing. This is a really thought-provoking novel that examines racial passing, female friendships, motherhood, jealousy, and the Black community in 1920s Harlem.
The novel is set from the perspective of Irene Redfield, whose old friend Clare Kendry reappears in her life suddenly after many year apart. Irene is surprised to find out Clare is passing for white and her husband John doesn't know she's Black. Where Irene treats race as a marker of identity and a key factor in deciding which social circles you can move in, Clare brushes it off like something that doesn't affect her. She wants to spend time at Black social gatherings in Harlem not to be with other Black people like her, but for the excitement of the events.
Irene feels, at times, confined by her race, whereas Clare doesn't seem to be bothered by it and is unconcerned that her husband might find out that she's not white. She seems to breeze through life not worrying about the consequences of her actions and even doesn't seem bothered by the idea that, should her husband discover her race, she might lose her child.
Clare's easygoing nature and charisma ignite feelings of jealousy in Irene and this all comes to a head in the novel's dramatic and staggering conclusion. I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend Tessa Thompson's narration of the audiobook.
The novel is set from the perspective of Irene Redfield, whose old friend Clare Kendry reappears in her life suddenly after many year apart. Irene is surprised to find out Clare is passing for white and her husband John doesn't know she's Black. Where Irene treats race as a marker of identity and a key factor in deciding which social circles you can move in, Clare brushes it off like something that doesn't affect her. She wants to spend time at Black social gatherings in Harlem not to be with other Black people like her, but for the excitement of the events.
Irene feels, at times, confined by her race, whereas Clare doesn't seem to be bothered by it and is unconcerned that her husband might find out that she's not white. She seems to breeze through life not worrying about the consequences of her actions and even doesn't seem bothered by the idea that, should her husband discover her race, she might lose her child.
Clare's easygoing nature and charisma ignite feelings of jealousy in Irene and this all comes to a head in the novel's dramatic and staggering conclusion. I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend Tessa Thompson's narration of the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Toxic friendship