The Vanishing Half: A GMA Book Club Pick (A Novel)

This novel follows the lives of twin sisters, Desiree & Stella Vignes, who grow up in a small, Southern black community. At 16, they run away & lead very different lives. Desiree returns to their hometown years later, living with her black daughter, while Stella passes for white, hiding her past from her white husband. Despite their divergent paths, the twins' fates remain connected. The book explores themes of identity, race, family & the impact of their choices on the next generation, as the storylines of their daughters intersect. *** Read this for my virtual book club, and there was a general feeling that the book was a little too long for the plot that was presented, and I have to agree. Additionally, the synopsis is a little misleading, or maybe the book was marketed poorly? I don't want to give away any potential spoilers, but if you have any questions before opening the book, reach out to me - specifically, I think certain characters were highlighted more than others, which isn't (IMO) apparent from the description. Otherwise, even though it was almost 350 pages, I found it to be a fairly quick read.

It starts off pretty slow but then picks up but the ending wasn’t quite as interesting as I thought it would be but overall this book was well written

"The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett is a poignant story that reveals its true power only after you peel away the delicate façade it presents. The novel revolves around two twin sisters—one who chooses to pass as white to be free and to forget, the other who reluctantly returns to the hometown they once escaped only to reclaim it. As you read, you may find yourself swiftly moving through the first half of the book, yet struggling to fully grasp the profound impact of trauma, abuse, fear, bigotry, and deep loneliness. The characters do not scream, fight, or protest; their silent strength and ability to endure without complaint become their curse. It's a just story if you want it to be—or a profoundly moving experience if you allow it to be.

A sweet story of how two sisters lives can have complex outcomes by choices made in life. They both held such a big burden, one longing for her sister and the other living a lie her whole life.

A beautiful book about love, family, loss, and forgiveness. I was invested from the start and read this book as quickly as I could to know what happens to everyone. I really liked Jude's character and Early was great as well. Wonderful book.