From the Bookshelf of Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge…

The Vanishing Half

Brit Bennett

Start date: December 1, 2020

Finish date: December 31, 2020

Discussion: 2020 Monthly Reads

Why we're reading this: December 2020 group read for "book published in 2020"…more
[close] December 2020 group read for "book published in 2020"

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2020 Monthly Reads

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What Members Thought

Feb 17, 2025 Joanna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2025-read, rws-2024-winter

Extremely compelling. I just loved these characters. The writing was excellent and brought out themes that were delicate and complicated and full of vibrating life. Wonderful.

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 11, 2020 Amy rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2021 Debbie rated it it was ok

I'd give this 2.5 stars, if I could. I saw this book in a lot of high-profile lists, including here on Goodreads, but the summary did not make me want to read it. I did pick it up because my book club selected it, though. I guess I'm glad I read it, but it was not a fabulous read.

The most interesting parts about this narrative were those in which a discussion of "passing for white" because part of the story. I don't subscribe to the whole "one drop of blood" idea, and having an entire town (not) ...more

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Aug 08, 2020 Amy Ellis rated it liked it

The examination of identity in race, as well as a mystery to be solved, kept my attention throughout this book. However, I found myself being frustrated with all of the characters and especially frustrated with the last line of this book for some reason. It just seemed out of place. The rest of the writing was good, but this had too much family drama and not enough of a resolution for me to love it.

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Aug 09, 2020 Beth Given added it

Shelves: blm

“You could convince anyone you belonged somewhere if you acted like you did.” (p. 149)

This book explores the theme of authenticity and the costs of deception. I really liked thinking about the ideas in this book, even if some of the content was a little gritty. Quite a bit of language and some sex.

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