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A review by mirabecker
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially appreciated the nuance of the story. While it wasn’t always the biggest page turner, I believe the depth and richness of the characters more than made up for the somewhat slower plot. Bennett packs a lot of complex character dynamics into her narrative, addressing multiple important topics in the process. Her characters are marvelously multifaceted and morally gray, making them feel genuine, real, and relatable, even if the circumstances they face may feel unfamiliar to many of us. I'm impressed by how well Bennett balanced the many intricacies of her characters and story: she didn't simplify its complexities to make it an easier story to write, but instead dwelled on them lovingly, creating a full and dense and complete narrative for the readers. I consistently was awed by the depth of the plot and characters, and often stopped to marvel at the enormity of the emotions experienced by the characters. If you're looking for a unique story with complex character dynamics dealing with salient social issues, this is a great book to try.
For those who have read this book, I'll also note how much I love the last couple paragraphs of this book (so if you want to avoid spoilers, stop reading here!). The book ends with Jude and Reese at Jude's grandmother's funeral:
"They did not find her amongst the dead. She had slipped out the back door with her boyfriend, holding his hand as they ran through the woods towards the river. The sun was beginning to set, and under the tangerine sky, Reese tugged his undershirt over his head. The sun warmed his chest, still paler than the rest of him. In time, his scars would fade, his skin darkening. She would look at him and forget that there had ever been a time he'd hidden from her.
He unzipped her funeral dress, folding it neatly on a rock, and they waded into the cold water, squealing, water inching up their thighs. This river, like all rivers, remembered its course. They floated under the leafy canopy of trees, begging to forget."
Bennett does a fantastic job holding both joy and sorrow in this scene. The image we're left with - Jude and Reese, in love, floating in a river underneath a beautiful sky - is one of joy and hope. But their pain still laces and looms over the scene: Reese's many years of hating his body, Jude's loss of her grandmother, the unmentioned but ever-present absence of Stella. The last line reminds us that they will carry these tragedies with them for the rest of their lives, even in moments of joy. This is one of the best last paragraphs I've read, and I'm in awe of Bennett's ability to create the perfect tone to end a book with.
For those who have read this book, I'll also note how much I love the last couple paragraphs of this book (so if you want to avoid spoilers, stop reading here!). The book ends with Jude and Reese at Jude's grandmother's funeral:
"They did not find her amongst the dead. She had slipped out the back door with her boyfriend, holding his hand as they ran through the woods towards the river. The sun was beginning to set, and under the tangerine sky, Reese tugged his undershirt over his head. The sun warmed his chest, still paler than the rest of him. In time, his scars would fade, his skin darkening. She would look at him and forget that there had ever been a time he'd hidden from her.
He unzipped her funeral dress, folding it neatly on a rock, and they waded into the cold water, squealing, water inching up their thighs. This river, like all rivers, remembered its course. They floated under the leafy canopy of trees, begging to forget."
Bennett does a fantastic job holding both joy and sorrow in this scene. The image we're left with - Jude and Reese, in love, floating in a river underneath a beautiful sky - is one of joy and hope. But their pain still laces and looms over the scene: Reese's many years of hating his body, Jude's loss of her grandmother, the unmentioned but ever-present absence of Stella. The last line reminds us that they will carry these tragedies with them for the rest of their lives, even in moments of joy. This is one of the best last paragraphs I've read, and I'm in awe of Bennett's ability to create the perfect tone to end a book with.