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A review by stephbakerbooks
Passing by Nella Larsen
challenging
emotional
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 had somehow never heard of this classic until last year (or at least had no recollection of hearing about it), which I think is a great failing of all those American Lit classes I took in high school and college. At barely over one hundred pages, it somehow manages to pack a lot in the story and would be great for discussion.
The story is told from Irene’s perspective, but we get a pretty clear picture of Clare’s struggles too, and both women are compelling leads, complex and far from perfect yet you still wish for their happiness. There were scenes where I sat with Irene in that feeling of “is this really happening right now,” and other scenes where I just wanted her to be kinder to Clare! And then sometimes I wanted to yell at Clare to stop making reckless choices and other times I just wanted to hug her.
This one is more character-driven than plot, though the plot does have its moments to shine. The ending is a bit open-ended, which I don’t usually love but I thought it worked well here. It’s up to the reader to decide how certain things play out.
I haven’t read a classic in a while, but this book reminded me why I love classics, and I’m so glad I finally read it!
Read if you like: The Vanishing Half, the 1920s, women’s lit, gray areas.
The story is told from Irene’s perspective, but we get a pretty clear picture of Clare’s struggles too, and both women are compelling leads, complex and far from perfect yet you still wish for their happiness. There were scenes where I sat with Irene in that feeling of “is this really happening right now,” and other scenes where I just wanted her to be kinder to Clare! And then sometimes I wanted to yell at Clare to stop making reckless choices and other times I just wanted to hug her.
This one is more character-driven than plot, though the plot does have its moments to shine. The ending is a bit open-ended, which I don’t usually love but I thought it worked well here. It’s up to the reader to decide how certain things play out.
I haven’t read a classic in a while, but this book reminded me why I love classics, and I’m so glad I finally read it!
Read if you like: The Vanishing Half, the 1920s, women’s lit, gray areas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Suicide