Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Passing by Nella Larsen

17 reviews

gabbygarcia's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol

caelinsullivan's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Minor: Death and Death of parent

f18's review against another edition

dark reflective 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Murder

Minor: Death of parent

colourism

zombiezami's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Death of parent, Murder, and Outing

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship

Minor: Alcohol

Colorism

samchase112's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This incredible novella is such a whirlwind. There is so much emotion and turmoil hidden among its pages, much like the turmoil hidden among the time period its set in. All I can say is, remain unspoiled for this one.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Death of parent

laurenleigh's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-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? It's complicated

4.5

I love me some jazz age tales of debauchery and excess, but this important work brings light to another side of 1920’s American culture. Black Americans faced innumerable injustices, and Larsen’s story here zooms in close to analyze two lives in particular, Irene and Claire. Both are Black, both are light enough to “pass” as white, but only one is actively doing so on a regular basis. The dynamic between these two was complex and multilayered, even in such a short piece. The part that struck me most was Irene’s inner turmoil about her double consciousness. If she has to pick one, where do her loyalties lie? To herself and her family? Or to her race? What if what you want or need is at odds with what is best for your community? I highly recommend checking this book out if you liked Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half. I couldn’t help but compare the two, and I’m sure this work influenced Bennett. Robin Miles was, as usual, a perfect narrator. Whenever someone asks me for narrator recommendations, she’s always on my list!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism

Minor: Death, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

laurenw's review against another edition

reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs

Moderate: Death and Infidelity

Minor: Hate crime and Death of parent