From the Bookshelf of Reading with Style…

The Vanishing Half

Brit Bennett

Start date: December 1, 2020

Finish date: February 28, 2021

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May 15, 2021 Connie G rated it it was amazing

Shelves: african-american-experience, fiction, louisiana, california, book-club, favorites

"The Vanishing Half," a multi-generational saga about race and identity, is one of my favorite books this year. At its center are twin light-skinned black girls who come from an impoverished family. As a young adult, Stella passes for white and leaves her prior life behind. Desiree marries a black man, and returns to her hometown with a very dark skinned daughter. The two twins have very different lives as they move on.

The book also explores other ways of changing identity. An actress becomes an ...more

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Aug 25, 2020 Tanya Patrice rated it it was amazing

Just as good as everyone says it is! I enjoyed The Mothers by Brit Bennett - but I love this one even more. It has all the elements of a good book - captivating plot, characters that will pull you into their lives and just enough drama - but done with a subtle, deft touch by the author. You will become invested in the story of the twin sisters - I promise.

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Feb 26, 2021 Helen Bungert rated it really liked it

Most of us liked this book. We discussed the themes of identity, race, and of keeping secrets. The characters were well-developed, and the plot was engaging.

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