Big Books of 2026
Tony asked this question about The Vanishing Half:
Why do you think the author was compelled to bring transsexuality (Reese) into the story?
Ms M Brierley I see Reese's character as one that is about 'acceptance' no matter what your outward appearance is. It's a cliche, but it's what's inside that counts…moreI see Reese's character as one that is about 'acceptance' no matter what your outward appearance is. It's a cliche, but it's what's inside that counts and we are allowed to understand that the relationship between Jude and Reese is unquestioned acceptance, loyalty and love. There are no questions or discussion between the two characters about either Reese's appearance, his bandages or how he doesn't want to be touched throughout the novel until the very end when we discover that the two of them are leading open lives - between the two of them anyway. This corrsesponds, obviously, with the black characters, the passing characters in the small town of Mallard and Stella. Stella is a complex character and we have to understand her behaviour and secretiveness through the prism of the time, historically, she was living in.

I enjoyed this novel and found the writer's omniciency challenging because we want 'answers' to our questions but this novelist leaves it to us, the readers, to make our own minds up. Very clever to stand outside the narrative yet write about such interesting times, situations and characters therefore bringing outrageous racism to the fore. (less)
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The Vanishing Half
by Brit Bennett (Goodreads Author)
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