From the Bookshelf of Constant Reader

The House Behind the Cedars
by
Start date
October 1, 2025
Finish date
November 1, 2025
Discussion
Classics Corner
Discussion leader
spoko

Find A Copy At

Group Discussions About This Book

Showing 2 of 351 topics — 11,862 comments total
+ Classics Corner
* The Schedule for July through Dec. 2025
By Lynn · 3 posts · 40 views
last updated Jun 25, 2025 08:25PM
Palace of Desire — discussion with ✴spoilers✴
By spoko · 2 posts · 3 views
last updated 7 hours, 20 min ago

What Members Thought

spoko
Sep 23, 2025 rated it really liked it
The House Behind the Cedars is certainly built as a romance novel, but what stands out is how Chesnutt uses that structure as a framework for social critique. Tryon’s pursuit of Rena isn’t a particularly interesting love story on its own, but the underlying secret of her identity gives it real tension. What it is is a stage, on which the precariousness of passing and the rigidity of racial boundaries are played out. So the narrative doesn’t move in the traditional direction—it’s not an emotional ...more
abdolla abdollay
Jul 01, 2008 rated it it was amazing
William
Oct 18, 2017 rated it liked it
Kai Coates
Oct 05, 2015 marked it as to-read
Michelle
Jun 21, 2025 marked it as to-read