Reviews

Passing by Nella Larsen

kylethewild's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

3.25

I thought this was going to be more similar to The Vanishing Half. The concept is pretty similar at surface level - two light-skinned black women, one decides to live her life passing as white and the other does not. This definitely seemed more woman-loses-her-mind-esque though, definitely not the story I thought I was going to get. 

paolavalentina's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

_nyhomie's review against another edition

5.0

*more thorough review to come*

rhodamae's review against another edition

reflective tense fast-paced

4.25

howtoreadmore's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.75

theknittinggoose's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

tessm567's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

lily08's review against another edition

reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.5

bernmetoacrisp's review against another edition

sad tense medium-paced

4.0

utopiaandmelancholy's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A short exploration of identity and racism at a pivotal moment in the 20th century. The introduction in this edition provided some great background on Larsen's life, which also put this somewhat auto-biographical story into context.
The prose was very good, and Irene's inner monologue and anxieties provide the tension that keeps the book thrumming. Her complex feelings about Clare's choices were presented in the confusing way that she experiences them. The ending shocked me despite already knowing the events that would occur. 
A really thought-provoking book, discussing identity in a way I had not really considered previously.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Death, and Racism