Book Review | The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
“How real was a person if you could shed her in a thousand miles?”
The story which has taken the bookish world by storm! The Vanishing Half explores a life full of secrets and struggles with identity, an engrossing novel about two “light-skinned” sisters. One living her life as a black woman and the other “passing” as white.
Desiree and Stella Vignes are twins, identical and inseparable. The pair grow up in a town called Mallard, a sleepy village in Louisiana which boasts nothing much and is often left off the map. At 16 years old, they run away from Mallard in the hopes of a more fulfilling life in a 1950's New Orleans. While settling into their new life, Stella has taken up a job as a secretary for a wealthy CEO, only able to land this job as she secretly 'passes' as a white woman. Enticed by this life of promised luxuries and privileges, she vanishes into thin air to pursue the indulgence, leaving her old life and Desiree behind.
Much to the local's surprise, it's Desiree who returns first. Decades later and with her 'blue-black' child, Jude, in tow. After escaping an abusive marriage, she seeks refuge in the comforts of Mallard, knowing she won't be found. Jude’s upbringing is rough, being the most dark-skinned child in a town of small minds. Resilience and passion for the running track see her through her schooling years. Once she reaches university, she finds a friend in Barry, who on Tuesday's dons a wig and costume, thus becoming Bianca. In Reese, a woman transitioning into a male, Jude discovers a tender romance which only blossoms with the years.
Meanwhile as the years pass, there is no sign of Stella. They have no idea that Stella has a rich husband, living her white picket fence dream in Los Angeles - incognito among her spider web of lies. After many years of fine-tuning her persona, she has simultaneously blocked her past from her conscious. Like Desiree, Stella also has a daughter. Fair hair and fair-skinned, Kennedy is the missing piece to her complicated puzzle.
The story explores the opposite lives the twin's lead. Inevitably, Kennedy and Jude cross paths, and we see the magnetic pull of blood ties slowly reconcile the Vignes sisters.
I was so excited to read The Vanishing Half. After seeing countless 5-star reviews, I knew I was in for a treat and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Brit Bennett deftly and beautifully explores the struggles of race, identity and ‘passing’ through a rich plot and captivating characters.
Character development is on point as they all come to life between the pages. For most of the read, the spotlight shines on Desiree and Stella. I admired how Bennett depicts two different experiences, based on their perceived skin colour. With Desiree’s fate sealed in Mallard, she lives her life within the comforts of her safety net, however, uncovering Stella’s character is a journey in its own!
Benett nails the narrative for these chapters and transports the reader inside her anxious mind. After years of pent up secrets, she is continually teetering on the edge of her carefully built life falling to bits. Creating a character with such unique and complex layers is a work of art - I’ve never met a character quite like Stella.
As interesting as the twin sisters are, it was Jude I enjoyed getting to know the most. I was touched by the heartwarming relationship she shares with Reese as a trans man. I have not read many books with trans characters, so this was interesting and beautiful. I admired the unconditional love and support Jude expressed for Reese, especially during the raw and tender moments of his journey. I would love to read more about their relationship, maybe we can persuade Bennet to write a whole new novel to follow their lives? I know I would read it!
Overall, The Vanishing Half is effortlessly absorbing and had me hook, line, and sinker from page one. A powerful story sure to leave you feeling moved, content and satisfied. Britt Bennett has a special way with words, easy to read yet rich and lush prose. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Now to get my hands on her other novel, The Mothers.