45 pages 1 hour read

Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett follows identical twins Desiree and Stella Vignes, who leave their small Louisiana village at 16. Desiree returns years later with her daughter after fleeing an abusive marriage, while Stella passes for White, marries a businessman, and lives in California. The narrative explores their diverging lives and themes of identity, belonging, and societal norms.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half is praised for its compelling storytelling, well-drawn characters, and insightful exploration of race and identity. Critics admire Bennett's ability to weave complex themes of family, secrecy, and self-discovery throughout the narrative. Some feel the pacing lags at times, but overall, it's considered a powerful and thought-provoking novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Vanishing Half?

A reader who enjoys complex family sagas, explores themes of identity and race, and appreciates character-driven narratives will find The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett compelling. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere will likely enjoy this poignant, thought-provoking novel.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride

Topics

Race / Racism

History: World