Reviews

Quicksand Passing by Nella Larsen, Charles M. Campbell

lizzield's review against another edition

funny reflective 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

kschukar's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-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

moseslh's review against another edition

4.0

This book contains two novellas by Nella Larson, Quicksand and Passing. Both are stories about the experiences of biracial African-American women in the 1920s. Quicksand tells the story of Helga, an African-American woman raised by her Danish-American mother and white family, and her struggles to fit in in the South, Harlem, and Denmark. Passing is told from the perspective of Irene, a light-skinned African-American, but is really about Clare, a friend (if that's the right word) of Irene's who passes as white and is married to a white (and incredibly racist) husband.
Both stories explore a lot of complex issues of race and delve deep into the inner lives of their protagonists. One of Larsen's greatest strengths in these novellas is her ability to expose the complex inner working of her protagonists' minds and to articulate their subjective experience.
I read Quicksand and Passing for a history class I'm taking on racial identity, and they are excellent sources for understanding intersections of race, class, and gender. I enjoyed them both and would definitely recommend them to anyone interested in these issues (or just interested in a good book).

kjcarlson03's review against another edition

emotional informative tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

sallysivan's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

nikkihrose's review against another edition

3.0

Quicksand – this book was fascinating to read and attempt to follow. Helga cannot find her happiness, but instead travels from one place to another, constantly searching for it. She struggles to make sense of her own identity, and thus, her own happiness. She is neither white nor black in her own eyes, and feels disconnected from both communities, ultimately living her life for someone else instead of herself.

Truly insightful to the multiracial and biracial identity lens regarding belonging and happiness in the world. Also presents how different races were viewed in different parts of the world, which was interesting to read about.

Passing – The topic of "passing" for white in America has become a widely researched topic for years. But in this book, Irene and Clare have different ideas of what is at stake. Clare will do anything to pass as white, with even her own husband not knowing the truth. Irene, on the other hand, only does it if it's convenient. She doesn't go out of her way to reveal her racial identity, nor to hide it. Her husband knows her race, as do her friends and her community. Throughout the story, it becomes clear that Clare is seeking out more and more of Irene's lifestyle, but Irene wants Clare and her toxicity as far away from her as possible.

This book was rooted in symbolism and intriguing to read, but a bit hard to follow at times. Either way, still incredibly insightful into the world of other cultures and races, how they're viewed in society, and how they view themselves, as well.

zezee's review against another edition

challenging medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

ottelien's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

foggy_rosamund's review against another edition

3.0

Nella Larsen did not produce much fiction: these two novellas and some short stories comprise all of her published work. I felt that the novellas Quicksand and Passing were the work of a writer who had not quite reached the height of her powers. That being said, they're both very strong, Passing in particular. Quicksand meanders a little too much, without getting to the heart of its central character, but Passing is a deft, insightful piece of work, with a twist I wasn't expecting. Both novels, set and written in the late 1920s, deal with being mixed race, and of Black people "passing" as white. They explore a sense of rootlessness or detachment experienced by their main characters because they are mixed race. They give an insight into Black culture at the time, and especially into the experiences of middle-class women. Definitely worth checking out.

curoniel's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad 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