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elanilanella's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Emotional abuse, Dementia, Classism, Bullying, Rape, Gaslighting, Addiction, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
clairew97's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Alcohol, Chronic illness, Cursing, Hate crime, Homophobia, Medical content, Classism, Death, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
jhbandcats's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Bennett is able to show the difficulty and complexity of each life, showing less sympathetic characters in a way that sympathy grows for them. You wish so much that circumstances could have been different for these characters, that they hadn’t felt forced to make the decisions they had.
The way Stella’s life plays out, ostensibly easier than Desiree’s, but with her always tense, never able to relax and be herself, living a lie and poisoning her relationship with her daughter, was just so tragic. Like lots of people who make poor decisions, Stella brought this all on herself.
Desiree’s life is also difficult but she doesn’t have the trouble that comes from pretending to be what she isn’t. She has a loving and rewarding relationship with her daughter because she’s never had to lie.
I read Nella Larsen’s book Passing a year ago but The Vanishing Half is the one I’ll always recommend. It’s astonishing, such a good book.
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Racial slurs, Death of parent, Hate crime, Murder, Classism, Grief, and Racism
michaelion's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Passing is a thing that happened and I'm sure there are still many, many quadroons and hexadecaroons walking around without a clue. I've always felt sympathy for the people who passed, and this book definitely gave me a new / another understanding. (I mean, who can be mad at you for wanting better for your life and your family?) To be moved so much by a book show just how good it is. That being said though I do not feel sympathy for Stella!
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Racial slurs, Grief, Racism, and Outing
Moderate: Sexual assault, Bullying, Classism, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Dysphoria, Gun violence, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, and Gaslighting
Minor: Terminal illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Stalking, Blood, Deadnaming, and Medical content
cheerstochels's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Classism, Medical content, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Racism, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
littlebells's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Dementia, Grief, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Transphobia, Racism, and Classism
Minor: Racial slurs
nidzi_c's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Racial slurs, Gaslighting, and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault
mathildem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Racial slurs, Racism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Dementia
Minor: Alcohol, Deadnaming, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Dysphoria
midnightmarauder's review against another edition
- 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
Some of the things I loved include the insertion of a trans man in a time period where they didn't really exist, nor are they mentioned often in historical fiction (Reese quickly became one of my favorite characters in the story; he and Jude's love story was a beautiful thing to watch unfold), how colorism and racism can lead to such big consequences amongst the black community, and the nonlinear writing structure; a style that left me staying up, just to see what would happen next.
Some things I would've liked to know more about include Stella, Kennedy, and Blake's fates. Did Stella and Kennedy
As for Stella,
Lastly, Blake:
All in all, this book was one that was very hard to put down. All I can really say is wow. Brit Bennet is a marvelous writer, and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Graphic: Abandonment, Racism, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, and Grief
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Terminal illness, Lesbophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Dysphoria, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Sexism
ruthmoog's review against another edition
4.0
The reality of colorism and racism is laid out in the pages, and the impact of Stella's decision is greatly felt by her family, especially the children - who's own stories make up about half the narrative, if not more.
Graphic: Abandonment, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pregnancy and Gaslighting