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ohgull's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was like a race focused version of the Great Gatsby. It has a lot of the ideas of that book and is set around the same time. I liked the psychological elements of the book, but the characters got on my nerves a bit. I loved the ending, it was so crazy and shocking! All together kinda eh, but still overall ok.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
waytoomanybooks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
A unique and fascinating classic novel. It's easy to get sucked into Irene and Clare's world of secrets. You really feel for the two women, even when they are hard to like or love.
For what it's worth, the movie follows the book to a tee!
For what it's worth, the movie follows the book to a tee!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
heather_freshparchment's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, and Murder
ginzura's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
katievh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Death and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Murder
megelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
"As far as I can see, you’ll just have to endure some things and give up others. As we’ve said before, everything must be paid for."
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
This is an incredibly dark, bleak book that wasn't at all what I was expecting it to be and which I found to be an equally fascinating and highly uncomfortable read.
Irene and Clare are both very intriguing, layered characters and, through them, the story really gets to the heart of complex, toxic, and ultimately tragic female friendships. It's really a story much more about such friendships, about the fragility of marriage and relationships, and about societal and gendered expectations (and the mental distress these can cause), than it is about race and 'passing' (though there are still of course important conversations on these topics).
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the very abrupt ending, but I was certainly floored, and ultimately I do think it's actually a really great ending and definitely one that I won't forget. The story as a whole in fact will definitely stick with me; it covers so much ground in so few pages and is just brutal and brilliant, and unfortunately remains so relevant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, and Death of parent
giselareads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Suicide and Murder
indiaautumn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Murder
loverofeels's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Murder
readingthroughinfinity's review against another edition
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