48 pages • 1 hour read
The Vanishing Half: A Novel
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
480
Novel • Fiction
Louisiana • 1950s
2020
Adult
18+ years
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
907,650 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
907,650 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
480
Novel • Fiction
Louisiana • 1950s
2020
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.