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laurenleigh's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Helga Crane seems to always be searching. Always trying to move forward towards that elusive goal of “happiness” or even just “contentment.” But as a Black women in the 1920’s, Helga finds it difficult to carve out a space that is really her own. I’m not sure why Larsen named this short novel (novella?) Quicksand, but I can see Helga sinking throughout the work. Sometimes when she remains still, in one place, she finds some peace, but the more she fights, the more she falls. In a lot of ways, she ends up no different than she started. Helga’s lack of community is especially impacted by her mixed race. White folks want nothing to do with her, at least in America. In Denmark, they find her to be a token of wonder, like a circus act. But Helga also feels left out of Black spaces in America, because she doesn’t have “people,” not knowing any of the Black half of her genes. The only part of the piece I found confusing was the pacing. Helga would think, “maybe I should visit Copenhagen,” and then bam, next chapter she’s instantly traveling. It was a bit jarring and took me out of the story. But at the same time, the quick pace helps really get straight to Larsen’s point!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Death of parent
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