Summary

A surprising story about twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, spanning 4 decades. They come from a small village, Mallard, that is nowhere on the map. One day they decide to run away from this village but little do they realize that their lives are about to go on two completely separate paths, living completely different lives.

One day many years later, one sister returns with her black daughter, while the other continues to live a white life secretly. Although separated by many miles and even more lies their fates are intertwined. What will happen when accidently their daughters meet?

My Review

An emotional family story that is riveting and astonishing. The story offers a very unique perspective into human psychology. The power of the book is I think in the detailed emotions of every character. Right from the twins, to their mother, the daughters Jude and Kennedy, the neighbor Loretta, Jade’s boyfriend Reese, Frantz, Early, even Lou in the beginning of the book who has the important task of delivering breaking news in a small town with no action.   

The plot also has some intriguing twists as it explores the influence of our past on our present. Additionally, the story explores themes like racism, and gender identity in a powerful way. I loved the story and enjoyed every word of the 343 pages.  I think this story deserves all the hype.

I read this book as it was Black History month and also as part of #uncorkedreadingchallenge for February 2021.

Prompt : Book By A Contemporary Black Author

Top Quotes from The Vanishing Half by Brit Benett

“Her death hit in waves. Not a flood, but water lapping steadily at her ankles. You could drown in two inches of water. Maybe grief was the same.”

“People thought that being one of a kind made you special. No, it just made you lonely. What was special was belonging with someone else.”

“This big ol' world and we only get to go through it once. The saddest thing there is, you ask me.”

“There were many ways to be alienated from someone, few to actually belong.”

“The only difference between lying and acting was whether your audience was in on it, but it was all a performance just the same.”

“When you married someone, you promised to love every person he would be. He promised to love every person she had been. And here they were, still trying, even though the past and the future were both mysteries.”

“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.”

“A body could be labeled but a person couldn’t, and the difference between the two depended on that muscle in your chest. That beloved organ, not sentient, not aware, not feeling, just pumping along, keeping you alive.”

“In the dark, you could never be too black. In the dark, everyone was the same color.”

“Memory works that way—like seeing forward and backward at the same time.”

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