Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - The Vanishing Half

I don’t know why, but when I first heard of this book, I thought I wouldn’t be interested. In reality, it is practically made for me: a mid-century historical fiction where the narrative changes perspective. That’s right up my alley. I loved the way this was written and the way the plot unfolded. My one complaint is that it felt like Desiree didn’t get as much development compared to other characters. Still, I truly loved this, and I would highly recommend it.

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galexy_brain's review against another edition

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emotional medium-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? It's complicated

4.0

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amelreads's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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ifersinklings's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

This book was so good. It really highlighted the difference between being white, white passing, and Black. The story of the two twin sisters and their daughters and the different paths that their choices as teenagers took them was very interesting to follow. I loved Jude and Reese's storyline, too.

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kelseyland's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An incredible novel about family and history and the question of whether you can ever really separate yourself from either. I loved the way the storylines of each character evolved and connected.

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ashlightgrayson's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad medium-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

This book is a literary exploration of the intersectionality of racism, colorism, and transgenderism. It follows the lives of two identical twins, Desiree and Stella, starting in the 1960s and stopping in the 1990s. Both twins live in the small fictional town of Mallard, Louisiana with their single mother. Mallard has a population of black and mixed race individuals that tend to have lighter skin. The twins eventually choose to leave the constraints of their small town in order to pursue a better life. Eventually, Desiree and Stella go their separate ways. Stella chooses to pass as white, marries a wealthy white man and has a daughter with him. Desiree marries an abusive black man, has a daughter with him and eventually leaves him and returns to Mallard. The story follows them and their daughters and how Stella and Desiree's decisions affect both of their lives and the lives of their family.

There are many contrasts drawn between the lives of Stella and Desiree and their respective daughters, Kennedy and Jude. Eventually the lives of the cousins intersect, and as a result, so do those of the twins. Through Stella we see the price of passing as white in a society that rejects blackness. Meanwhile, Desiree must grapple with the rejection her dark skinned daughter, Jude, suffers in a community and society that values lighter skin. We are also introduced to a transgender character who must struggle with living in a society that isn't accepting of people like him.

The story has incredible analogies and social commentary. The message at the end is also very powerful and makes everything that happens come together. If you are a fan of literary fiction that has heavy social commentary, this is a good book for you.

I was super happy with the ending of this book. Desiree was able to find a safe and loving relationship with Early and is able to eventually leave Mallard. Jude and Reese are finally happy and able to accept themselves for who they are. They reach a level of self-fulfillment and satisfaction that is contrasted by Stella and Kennedy's lives. Stella has continued to live a lie and sacrificed her relationship with her mother and sister in order to have the privileges of being white. Her ability to even pursue a career is also limited by her close-minded and sexist husband. Kennedy does not live a fulfilling acting career as she always wished. She continues to keep in touch with Jude by the end of the book. However, she ends a long term relationship with her black boyfriend and the extent of her relationship with Jude is limited by her internalized fear of being associated with blackness. Despite all of this, it is understood that Stella and Kennedy are in part victims of a racist society that influenced their decisions. It is also clear that despite all of the hardships Desiree, Reese, and Jude underwent for being black, they found true freedom in their own self-acceptance.

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