May BOTM - The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Winner of Goodreads Choice Award 2020 for Historical Fiction.
The Vanishing Half is a historical fiction novel by American author Brit Bennett. It is her second novel.
The novel is a multi-generational family saga set between the 1940s to the 1990s and centers on identical twin sisters.

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Started this morning.

[Prateek]

Will read in couple of days.

[Leena]

will start in a few days

[Parvez]

Started reading this yesterday. It's very different than anything I have read. Will update with further progress.

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

am around 60%

Part I 1968 (view spoiler)[

the biggest question for me was where was Stella? Was she even alive? since the title points towards her as the vanishing half. I don't like the character of Desiree. Looking for a way out and when the life got tough she took the shelter in the very place she hated so much, couldn't wait to get away. I liked the mother, Adele. In so many ways she is the ideal mother. But why nothing was told what/how she felt when twins eloped. She welcomed Desiree but never said anything about the time she spent in their absence. I would love to read her side of story but I guess this is about the girls.

Early, the first time I read the name I did a double take. What kind of name is that? Desiree and him? Not the conventional couple they became I had hoped for initially. In the end I was happy for both. (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 1978(view spoiler)[

Now this is the story that I have read quite a few times. What a dark skinned went through in 60s or 70s or going through in present times. How she was an outcast in her society? how she avoid certain situations and how badly she wanted to leave all this behind in search of place where this was not her life.

What made interesting this part for me was her other half. Reese Carter. I don't think I have read anything about transgenders in pre 2000s. it's easy feel his/her pain and fear in those times when they are still not widely accepted in today's society. The constant fear of being caught and punished, hiding true identity, it is a burdensome life. In a way Jude and Reese are healing each other, perhaps when they left their hometowns they're not looking for this but happy that they found this something special. (hide spoiler)]

Part III 1978(view spoiler)[
Ah, there she is!!

I guessed from the tidbits in Desiree's story why Stella left. And its a pity now that what she so desperately wanted, after getting she is this lonely. (hide spoiler)]

[Preeti]

I am planning to start reading from tomorrow. I think its going to be an interesting read.

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

done. it was fantastic. how ironic that you want to escape a place/people and then you keep longing for the same.

[Pallavi]

I listened audiobook somewhere last year. It took few days to complete as I listened only during my house chores.
I liked it very much...
I loved Desiree more than Stella and I liked this town Mallard very much...

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

I did the audio too and it was fantastic. I loved it. I would have taken more days to read it otherwise.

They both were selfish and I don't like any of them. (view spoiler)[Had Desiree married off as well as Stella, I don't think she would have come back. It was only when it became clear to her that couldn't live with Sam anymore, she came back. (hide spoiler)]

I loved the kids' arc.

[Pallavi]

yes...Kids were good .... It is Stella and Desiree who stay in your mind though. They are powerful characters.

(view spoiler)[But if Desiree had married like stella and not come back, then there was no story for us to read :P
Both would have married happily forever after.
(hide spoiler)]

[Parvez]

Finished it. It was a truly amazing read. The author has done an amazing job in weaving different time and characters in such a smooth cohesive story. The race and skin color thing was somewhat tricky to understand at times but it is bound to happen when you read such a genre.
IT was one of those books where you had to finish it as fast as you can but you also don't want to be over. When I started the last chapter, I felt a bit sad, like I was parting ways with an old friend.
Kudos to the author.
P.S.: It was my first time participating in this group read and really enjoyed it. I would love to read how others people feel about this book. Excited for future reads in this group.

[Jenny]

Started the audiobook 3 days ago! At 10% atm.

[Leena]

Will start tomorrow. Looking forward to.

[Preeti]

Finished it. Started with an audiobook a few days back but couldn't listen for more than half an hour. Then yesterday picked the ebook and just couldn't keep it down. 😊😊
This book is one of those books that reminded me, what essentially fiction is,
good storytelling.
A much-deserved hyped book. Happy reading!!!

[Jenny]

At 25%, I am liking this book very much!

[Tarinee]

Starting from today ...first chapter done ...will be updating my thoughts as I progress... Seems like a book for my reading slump .. hopefully not a slow burner .. doesn't feel like one of the very little I have read so far :)

[Bela]

I read this book last year around August.

The beginning was a bit slow for me and I wondered if I should just DNF it. But I am glad I did not.
This book is very apt in recent times where we are increasingly witnessing more episodes of racial injustice, discrimination in our so called developed countries. It’s equal parts emotional, poignant, gut wrenching. But ultimately it’s about each individual life .. it matters.