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45 pages 1 hour read

Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half: A Novel

Brit BennettFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020

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Book Brief

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Brit Bennett

The Vanishing Half

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020
Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Louisiana • 1950s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett follows identical twins Desiree and Stella Vignes, who leave their small Louisiana village at 16. Desiree returns years later with her daughter after fleeing an abusive marriage, while Stella passes for White, marries a businessman, and lives in California. The narrative explores their diverging lives and themes of identity, belonging, and societal norms.

Mysterious

Emotional

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Nostalgic

Reviews & Readership

4.3

907,650 ratings

82%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Brit Bennett's The Vanishing Half is praised for its compelling storytelling, well-drawn characters, and insightful exploration of race and identity. Critics admire Bennett's ability to weave complex themes of family, secrecy, and self-discovery throughout the narrative. Some feel the pacing lags at times, but overall, it's considered a powerful and thought-provoking novel.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Vanishing Half?

A reader who enjoys complex family sagas, explores themes of identity and race, and appreciates character-driven narratives will find The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett compelling. Fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Celeste Ng's Little Fires Everywhere will likely enjoy this poignant, thought-provoking novel.

4.3

907,650 ratings

82%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

3%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

480

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Louisiana • 1950s

Publication Year

2020

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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