The Vanishing Half: from the New York Times bestselling author of The Mothers
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By Brit Bennett
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5 reviews
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The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it’s not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it’s everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities.
Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters’ story lines intersect?
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Reviews
I really loved how close the two sister's relationship was and I thought that both sisters had very believable differences and similarities. I liked that each had a daughter that was similar to the other.
I found the way status was connected to 'lightness' disturbing and fascinating. I think this is really important considering activists are currently trying to draw attention to colourism. I loved the parallels between Reece's transition and Stella's transition too. It was interesting that whilst Stella had changed to live a lie, Reece had changed to live his truth.
This was EXCELLENT. Devoured in three days. It made me cry twice, the most perfect novel.
Compelling story and characters, will seek out other books by this author
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book as part of a reading group. I had read the fantastic reviews and couldn't wait to read it. I initially found the first couple of chapters quite heavy but as I read further I was drawn into the story. The characters are detailed and their life struggles written about so well by Brit Bennett. It became difficult to put it down as I wanted to find out what would happen next! I would definitley recommend this book.
A brilliant novel about family, identity, acceptance and forgiveness.
