This review is written by and posted on behalf of Vijaya Gollamudi.
The Vanishing Half is a story that spans from the 1940s to the 1990s. The story focuses on twin sisters, Desiree and Stella Vignes. The sisters are raised in a fictional small town in Mallard, Louisiana. The sisters are the progeny of the founders of this tiny town of Black Americans where complexion politics are very present.
The twins are opposite in every way but their looks. Desiree is messy and impulsive, and Stella is neat and reserved. Through the course of the story the relationship and connection between the two sisters is broken and eventually remade by their daughters.
The themes of the story are illustrated through Stella and her fear of exposure and Desiree with her fear of captivity. As well as their collective fear of nonexistence. The author so aptly illustrates the internal struggle of the twins. Race, class, and gender discussions are wrapped in beautiful language that pulls the reader into the struggles of the story and into the characters.
The Vanishing Half by
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