Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Invisible Half- Loved it









The Vanishing Half 
By Brit Bennett


We read Vanishing Half for our book club. There was so much  to discuss. Unfortunately I was unable to attend. Instead I will be writing my thoughts of the novel. 

The novel is perfect to talk about inequality in our society. It doesn't matter if you are black or white, gay or straight, Asian or Indian, woman or man. Look around you! Get your head out of the sand and stop wearing those rose colored glasses. If you think everything is good in our country. You need to take a good hard look around you. The book is a good starting point to talk to others about it, and discuss. Don't be closed minded and listen to others. But others should give you the same courtesy. 

I loved the concept of the plot. It was unique  The writing from other comments said her writing was lovely. I have to disagree. The writing was simplistic, and nothing special. I still enjoyed reading despite the simplicity of the writing. It is worth the read. Especially what is going on in around the country.

 It is about color and racism to some extent. But, more about asking yourself, am I white enough or black enough in the black community. I never thought of racism in the black community. Of course you are talking about a white person writing in her perspective. I love what the author did on the first page. Setting up the novel for the rest of the book. The book talks about a town called, Mallard. It is a town  only likes lighter skin. If you were dark you were hated and didn't fit in to their mold.

I love the title of the book. The title is aptly well titled.  You will understand after reading. The novel is about two twin sisters, Stella and Desiree. They both runaway from home after their father is lynched.

 After they runaway together their lives have changed in opposite ways. One sister, Desiree moves to Washington DC. She marries and has a very dark daughter named, Jude. The other sister, Stella hooks up with her white privileged boss, and marries and moves to California. She passes herself as white unbeknownst to her white husband. They have a daughter named, Kennedy. 

Desiree has no choice she and her daughter, Jude move back home to her mother's house. As her husband abuses her physically, and emotionally. She ends up working at Lou's Diner. She makes the best of it with her boyfriend, Early. It is hard work and she is content living with her mother, in town. 

There is so much to talk about in the novel.  I will write about a few things that stand out to me. 
My favorite part of the novel is when Stella finds out a black family is moving in across the street. She befriends Loretta which is ironic. Since she didn't want them to move in, in the first place. This is where I became fully invested and the story picks up for me. Before reading, the book was a bit slow and dry. 

At first she is unfriendly to Loretta and her family. But, once she gets to know her, she melts like butter on a hot steamy day. Stella sees Loretta's friends and is envious. She misses and wants female bonds, and comradery. Does Stella wish she had the same life where she doesn't have to hide her blackness. Where she felt she couldn't live?

At first when she learns a black family is moving in. You wonder is she scared being found out? Or is she herself racist? Trying to hide behind her so called, light skin?  Or is she over compensating so she won't be found out?  Y'all will just have to find out for yourselves. When Stella's daughter, Kennedy becomes an adult. She has many questions for her mother. Many things to Kennedy doesn't add up. Kennedy is a privileged brat. She gets what ever she wants.

What I found unique, and different in the novel. There were polar opposite situations and characters. For instance both sisters, one is quiet, where the other is rambunctious. One lives in a small insular, poor town. The other lives in a privileged city in California. Both Cousins, one lighter than the other. One educated and needed to work for it. Where the other because of privilege didn't have to.

 There are so many juxtapose situations, with characters and how they deal with it. How they were able to overcome obstacles, Which was one of the points. Everyone should not be privilege but better themselves not from short cuts but merit.  I am disappointed I couldn't attend the book club to discuss Invisible Half. BTW, if you read the novel. Netflix is about to release the movie, Passed. Which is about the same subject. Black person passing as white, FYI.



































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