“The Vanishing Half” is a novel by Brit Bennett that was published in 2020. The book explores themes of race, identity, and family through the story of twin sisters who grow up in a small, black community in Louisiana during the 1950s and ’60s.
Plot Summary
The novel opens with the story of the twins, Desiree and Stella Vignes, who run away from their small, southern black town at the age of sixteen. The sisters are identical in every way, except that Stella has lighter skin and can pass for white. The story then jumps forward in time to the 1980s, when Desiree returns to their hometown with her daughter, Jude, who is darker-skinned than her mother. Jude struggles to fit in and understand her family’s past, while Desiree tries to come to terms with her own choices and the secrets she’s kept from her daughter. Meanwhile, Stella has built a new life for herself as a white woman but struggles with the guilt and fear of being found out.
The Vanishing Half Characters
The novel is centered around the lives of four women: Desiree and Stella, the twin sisters; Jude, Desiree’s daughter; and Kennedy, Stella’s daughter. The book also features a cast of supporting characters, including Early Jones, a light-skinned black man who becomes involved with both sisters; Reese, Jude’s boyfriend; and Barry, a white man who befriends Stella.
The Vanishing Half Themes
One of the main themes of the novel is race and identity. The Vignes sisters are both light-skinned, but while Desiree identifies as black, Stella chooses to pass as white. Through the sisters’ experiences, the book explores the complexity of race and how it shapes identity. The book also examines the impact of family on identity, as the sisters’ choices and experiences are shaped by their upbringing and the relationships they have with their daughters.
Another theme of the novel is family and the bonds that tie people together. The sisters’ relationship is at the heart of the story, and the book explores the power of both love and betrayal in shaping family dynamics. The book also examines the ways in which family secrets can shape a person’s life and the lives of those around them.
Writing Style
Bennett’s writing is lyrical and evocative, and the book is structured in a non-linear way, moving back and forth in time to tell the story of the sisters and their families. The novel is also told from multiple perspectives, giving the reader a nuanced understanding of each character’s motivations and experiences.
Conclusion
“The Vanishing Half” is a powerful novel that explores themes of race, identity, and family in a nuanced and evocative way. Through the story of the Vignes sisters, the book examines the complex ways in which race shapes identity and the impact of family dynamics on individual lives. Bennett’s writing is beautiful and immersive, and the book’s non-linear structure and multiple perspectives add depth and complexity to the story. Overall, “The Vanishing Half” is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of race and identity in America.