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Number-One New York Times Best Seller

One of Barack Obama's Favorite Books of the Year

Named a Best Book of 2020 by The New York Times * The Washington Post * NPR * People * Time Magazine * Vanity Fair * Glamour

“Bennett’s tone and style recalls James Baldwin and Jacqueline Woodson, but it’s especially reminiscent of Toni Morrison’s 1970 debut novel, The Bluest Eye.” (Kiley Reid, Wall Street Journal)

“A story of absolute, universal timelessness.... For any era, it's an accomplished, affecting novel. For this moment, it's piercing, subtly wending its way toward questions about who we are and who we want to be.” (Entertainment Weekly)

From The New York Times best-selling author of The Mothers, a stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live in two very different worlds, one Black and one White.

The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, Southern Black community and running away at age 16, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Many years later, one sister lives with her Black daughter in the same Southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for White, and her White husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' storylines intersect?

Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and a brilliant exploration of the American history of passing. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. 

As with her New York Times best-selling debut The Mothers, Brit Bennett offers an engrossing pause-resister about family and relationships that is immersive and provocative, compassionate, and wise.

Journey Through Identity and Sisterhood: Exploring "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett

In the captivating novel "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett, we embark on an introspective journey through the lives of twin sisters, Stella and Desiree Vignes, as they navigate their paths in a racially divided society. Set in Mallard, Louisiana, and alternating between the 1960s and 1980s, the story delves into the complexities of race, identity, and familial bonds.

Early on, Stella and Desiree make a life-altering decision to leave Mallard, seeking opportunities beyond the limitations imposed by their racial identities. Stella chooses to pass as white and starts a new life in California, while Desiree remains in the South, embracing her Black heritage. As the years unfold, their choices lead them down divergent paths, shaping their experiences and identities in profound ways.

Through the eyes of Stella and Desiree, Bennett explores the impact of societal expectations, racism, and colorism on individuals and families. The novel delves into the consequences of Stella's decision to pass as white, the challenges she faces in maintaining her secret, and the strain it puts on her relationships. Meanwhile, Desiree's journey in the South showcases the resilience and strength of the Black community, the struggles for civil rights, and the complexities of navigating a world marked by racial discrimination.

"The Vanishing Half" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of identity, race, and the ties that bind us. Brit Bennett's masterful storytelling weaves a compelling narrative that sheds light on the intricate complexities of human experiences and the enduring power of family bonds.

Key Themes:

• Identity and Race: The novel delves into the complexities of identity formation and the impact of race on individuals and communities.
• Family and Sisterhood: The story explores the unbreakable bond between Stella and Desiree, even as their paths diverge and their experiences shape them in different ways.
• Choices and Consequences: Bennett examines the choices characters make and the consequences that follow, highlighting the ripple effects of individual decisions on their lives and relationships.
• Racial Injustice and Civil Rights: The novel portrays the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States, shedding light on the injustices and challenges faced by Black Americans.

Why Read "The Vanishing Half":

• Compelling Narrative: Brit Bennett's writing style captivates readers with her vivid storytelling and nuanced character development.
• Thought-Provoking Themes: The novel delves into important and timely themes, offering readers an opportunity for reflection and discussion.
• Historical Context: Set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, "The Vanishing Half" provides a window into a significant period in American history.
• Cultural Insights: The story offers insights into the experiences of Black Americans and the impact of racial discrimination on individuals and families.

As you delve into "The Vanishing Half," prepare to embark on an emotional and thought-provoking journey that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.