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A review by aellereads
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
5.0
The Vanishing Half is about twin sisters Desiree and Stella growing up together in a small southern light-skin black community and running away to find a new life for themselves. A few years later, their lives start to diverge: their families, communities, and racial identities become more and more different. Desiree lives with her black daughter in the same town she tried to escape, while Stella secretly passes for white, and her new family knows nothing of her past. But even being separated for over 40 years, their fates remain intertwined.
The Vanishing Half is an emotional, thought-provoking, and realistic novel exploring race and colourism nuances. Brit Bennett thoughtfully balances a sad story about families torn apart. Though it deals with dark themes such as racism, loneliness, complex family ties, tragedy, and abuse, it is a powerful narrative filled with love, empathy, and hope.
Following the stories of Desiree, Stella, and their daughters June and Kennedy, we witness different perspectives that allow us to understand the characters through their own eyes. It was impossible not to feel and ache for them as they were trying to live the life they have always wanted.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It will stay with you forever as it is incredibly compelling and beautifully written with unforgettable characters and a touching storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter.
The Vanishing Half is an emotional, thought-provoking, and realistic novel exploring race and colourism nuances. Brit Bennett thoughtfully balances a sad story about families torn apart. Though it deals with dark themes such as racism, loneliness, complex family ties, tragedy, and abuse, it is a powerful narrative filled with love, empathy, and hope.
Following the stories of Desiree, Stella, and their daughters June and Kennedy, we witness different perspectives that allow us to understand the characters through their own eyes. It was impossible not to feel and ache for them as they were trying to live the life they have always wanted.
I cannot recommend this book enough. It will stay with you forever as it is incredibly compelling and beautifully written with unforgettable characters and a touching storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed every chapter.