hummingbird ink

Brit Bennett’s “The Vanishing Half” is a powerful story about identity, family, and the lasting impact of the past. The book tells the story of the Vignes twins, Desiree and Stella, who grow up in a small town called Mallard in Louisiana. The town is very concerned about skin color, and the sisters dream of a life outside its boundaries.

“That was the thrill of youth, the idea that you could be anyone. That was what had captured her in the charm shop, all those years ago. Then adulthood came, your choices solidifying, and you realize that everything you are had been set in motion years before. The rest was aftermath.”

Stella decides to pass as white, while Desiree marries a dark-skinned man and returns to Mallard with her daughter. The book spans several decades and explores the effects of Stella’s decision on their own lives and those of their daughters, Jude and Kennedy.

The book raises questions about the past and how it shapes our present and future. Bennett does not offer easy answers but delves into the complexities of race, passing, and the pursuit of self-identity. The characters are carefully crafted, and their stories are told with empathy and depth.

“You could drown in two inches of water. Maybe grief was the same.”

“The Vanishing Half” is not just a story about race. It’s a reflection of how identity is formed and reclaimed. Bennett challenges readers to consider the lengths people will go to create a life that feels true to them, even if it means denying their past.