Reviews

The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen by Nella Larsen

Only show reviews with written explanations

thechanelmuse's review against another edition

4.0

This is quite the engrossing read. The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen consists of three short stories—The Wrong Man, Freedom, and Sanctuary—and two novels—Quicksand and Passing.

The parallel themes in these stories actually reflect Nella's own life. In particular, yearning for liberation from the suffocating confinements in one's life. I wish her writing journey lasted longer than it did. She had an intriguing writing style, especially how she explored the emotional states of her characters.

kittyhearted's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

beehan__'s review against another edition

Go to review page

reflective

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

roomwithabook's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

ida_s's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Excellent read, especially the two novels. The short stories don’t stand out for me, and I did notice some repetitions and stylistic choices that I found a bit annoying when I read the two novels back to back, which I hadn’t noticed when I read Passing the first time. But these are overshadowed by the complexity of the characters and the wonderful observations about identity and belonging. The writing feels modern and still very much relevant. I wish more of her writing had been published.

willowsfair's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Disappointing. Larsen writes splendidly, with finely drawn characters that breathe with a life of their own. But the stories, however well they begin, eventually get bogged down in repeating patterns of mundanity and oddness, and at the end they simply expire without a point or message. Even if the mundanity is the point, it's entirely wrapped up in the frustrating acts of the main characters, so that message is lost. With the exception of Passing, there are no lessons here, or really anything to remember, despite the snippets of everyday life in a time long past - and as well crafted as the stories begin and continue thru the middle, they truly become a slog.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because this obscure author remained lost for so long, and the Harlem Renaissance writers deserve all we can give them.