Brit Bennett’s The Vanishing Half has captivated readers and critics alike, standing out as a defining narrative of our times. Spanning generations and geographies, this novel follows two twin sisters who choose two very divergent paths, based on race. It’s a must-read, and this summary and review of The Vanishing Half unravels their journey for you.
- Debuted at #1 on The New York Times bestseller list
- Book of the Month Club’s Book of the Year (2020)
- One of Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year
- Good Morning America Book Club pick
- Named a best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, People, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Glamour
- 2021 Women’s Prize Finalist
Summary of The Vanishing Half (Without Spoilers)
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is the story of light-skinned Black identical twin sisters who grow up inseparable in a light-skinned Black community in Louisiana. At a young age, they witness their father’s death and the hands of white men and, as teens, they run away from their home to New Orleans.
Then, twin sister Stella runs away from New Orleans to marry a white man, and she begins a new secret life as a white woman, estranged from her sister. Meanwhile, twin sister Desiree marries a Black man and has a dark-skinned daughter.
In summary, The Vanishing Half follows the twins and their families through decades of time from the 1950s to the 1990s and several more American settings, amongst the backdrop of their differing identities.
Review of The Vanishing Half
Rich writing, complex characters, and thoughtful themes make this novel a 5-star read.
The Vanishing Half became my favorite book of the year, and I consider it to be one of the greatest books of the 21st century. While the first 50 pages were a bit slow as the reader tries to figure out the lay of the land, thereafter, you simply can’t stop thinking about this book and waiting to dive back into it at every chance you get.
The plot structure was meticulously planned, jumping in time, yet providing an easy-to-follow narrative through just slices of life occurring at various times in various decades, and told by various characters. Bravo!
The writing was as rich and immersive as any Ann Patchett or Elena Ferrante book, and the characters were deeply drawn, complex, and felt alive. Every word and every character choice meant something, and it was mesmerizing to read.
Lastly, there are so many themes sprinkled throughout this book so thoughtfully (i.e., race, identity, exposure, education, environment, and acting) that the last page leaves you wanting more and thinking about the impact of this masterpiece.
And that cover art — all the heart eyes!
I simply cannot recommend The Vanishing Half more highly. I still talk about this one at every chance I get.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett follows the lives of twin sisters, Desiree and Stella Vignes, who grow up in a small Southern Black community known for its light-skinned residents. As adults, their paths drastically diverge: Desiree marries a dark-skinned man and embraces her Black identity, while Stella passes as white, severing ties with her family. The novel explores themes of racial identity, family ties, and the lasting impact of personal choices.
The main conflict in The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is the family separation that occurs when each light-skinned Black Vignes sister chooses to live a different life as a different race, and the consequences that are caused as a result.
At the end of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Desiree returns to Mallard with her daughter, Jude. Meanwhile, Stella’s daughter, Kennedy, unknowingly befriends her cousin Jude in Los Angeles. The twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, have a brief, and tense, reunion when Desiree visits Stella’s neighborhood. Jude bonds with her grandmother and looks forward to a future with her partner, Reese, emphasizing the novel’s themes of identity and family ties.
No. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is historical fiction about two light-skinned Black twins who take different paths, living as different races throughout several decades.
Yes. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is a bestselling, award-winning historical fiction novel that masterfully explores the complex nature of racial identity through the lives of light-skinned Black twin sisters Desiree and Stella, who live as different races. It is good for readers who like diverse literary fiction.
Yes. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett was Book of the Month Club’s Book of the Year (2020) and a 2021 Women’s Prize Finalist. It was named a best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, People, Time Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Glamour.
Conclusion
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is a poignant exploration of identity, race, and family ties. Book clubs will find rich discussions in its pages, with questions about identity and choice at the forefront. Ultimately, this novel leaves a lasting impression, urging readers to reflect on their own understanding of identity and lineage.
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