“She hadn’t realized how long it takes to become somebody else, or how lonely it can be living in a world not meant for you.”
The Vanishing Half has been receiving a LOT of hype in the book world lately. The book explores the lives of twin sisters who run away from home (and end up going in different directions). Desiree and Stella are light-skinned black girls from Mallard (no, the town can’t be found on a map). When we meet up with the twins 14 years after they have left home, we find out that Desiree married a very dark-skinned black man, and Stella has been passing as a white woman for years.
“You could never know who might hurt you until it was too late.”
What we learn about their lives and families is incredibly fascinating. We get the perspectives of a handful of characters in this book – each having their own experiences with and ideas about race, racism and identity. These relationships are COMPLICATED. This book probably won’t end the way you expect (and I love it). There are things here that never come to a head or get resolved and it’s honestly better that way – the fact that Bennett didn’t feel the need to wrap everything up in a nice little bow is refreshing.
Read with Aimee 