Reviews

Quicksand by Nella Larsen, Thadious M. Davis

dogsbooksandpizza's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.25

This was a tougher read than Passing because it feels both so much more personal to Larsen (closer to her actual life) as well as larger in scope regarding the struggles of a person with mixed-race heritage. I found the second half of the book to be especially challenging, as Helga careens from one desire to the next in a well-intended but self-destructive manner. Since Larsen never had children herself, I assume the ending was paradoxically one of the more autobiographical aspects, as I assume this is how she felt about the prospect of having her own children. I appreciated the book even more after a spirited conversation with one of my students (Emily L.) about it, and she pointed out some elements I hadn’t considered. We discussed the elements of the novel that mirrored “quicksand,” as well as some connections and contrasts to Passing.

kipepeo's review against another edition

reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

This was solid. I didn’t think Helga was the most likeable character but the way this story progressed was genuinely interesting. 

nijntjemeisje's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

valdez's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-paced

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

3.5

literaryliz's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

graone's review against another edition

5.0

really makes ya think huh

beigemoose's review against another edition

mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

helenadotcom's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

abbyf29's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad fast-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

4.75

sarahreadsbooks_'s review

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

I liked Passing better than this novel, but I’m still happy that I read another Nella Larsen book. It’s amazing to me that this book was written so long ago, yet somehow it still feels somewhat modern. As a character, Helga Crane was at times messy and unlikeable, but I love that for her.