This is a book review of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett with spoilers.
Two light-skinned twin sisters decide to go their own way. One chooses to embrace her Blackness, and another chooses to attempt whiteness. This book is a testament to the fact that history was not that long ago.
Warning: Themes of sexual assault & abuse mentioned.
The Facts
Author: Brit Bennett
Release Date: June 2, 2020
Genre: Historical fiction, Coming-of-age
Main Characters: Stella and Desiree Vignes
Number of Pages: 343
Rating: 3 out of 5
What I Liked
Considering the book starts in 1968, I appreciate the indirect mention of MLK’s death and how people reacted to it. Though, I’m not sure about having sex in his honor.
In a similar manner, I appreciate the in-depth insight to what Reese experienced being transgender in 1978. It’s another example of how not much has changed; though, there are better, less questionable ways to start making the change.
When Sam was basically written out of Desiree’s life, I was happy but also felt so bad for his new wife and sons.
What I... Didn't
“Hipless body” on page one was such an out-of-pocket way to describe a woman’s figure. You know what else was out-of-pocket? Sticking your sister’s bloody finger into your mouth to stop the bleeding. Absolutely not, especially as older teenagers.
Being traumatized by the white men who beat your father to death and the white man who sexually assaulted you then getting with a white man who reminds you of the instances is certainly… a choice.
Final Thoughts
Truthfully, every big moment in this book was a let down. I had a feeling Jude would somehow connect with Stella in California, but I didn’t expect it to happen the way it did. Stella & Desiree’s reunion was a bit of a let down and felt rushed, just like the ending of the book.
The book is split into six parts, and part two has a big theme of the trauma abuse causes in children, even if they’re not the ones being hit or verbally assaulted. Jude got so used to violence in relationships because of what she witnessed between her parents (the aforementioned Desiree and Sam). She literally said, “‘You could never know who might hurt you until it was too late.'” This hurt my heart for Jude, especially as the book progressed; she quickly became my favorite character.
I was hooked in the beginning with the story, but as we neared the end, the book became more of a disappointment. Once Stella and Desiree reunited, it went downhill and fast.
"A bird always returns to its nest, a hurting woman no different."
