A review by daytimebelle
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

emotional informative reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

 The Vanishing Half is one of those books that I thought would totally blow me away, but it ended up being just okay. I mean, don't get me wrong—it had some really interesting moments. The whole idea of twin sisters leading such different lives, one passing as white while the other embraces her Black identity, was pretty provocative. The writing was solid, too, and I liked how the writer tackled complex issues like race, identity, and family dynamics.

But, I don't know, something was missing for me. Maybe I couldn't fully connect with the characters or I was expecting a bigger emotional punch. It felt like it dragged a bit in parts, and I found myself skimming through some chapters. It's definitely not a bad book by any means, hence the 3 stars, but it just didn't grab me like I hoped it would. Nevertheless, I appreciate its ambition and the conversations it sparks so I would still recommend it.