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

The Vanishing Half started out kind of slow to me, but it picked up right when I was about to call it quits. This novel explores the lives of two twins and how each one’s decisions shaped their lives and the lives of their children. The main theme that Bennett explores is colorism and how one twin took advantage by “passing” to reinvent herself. However, even though she’s “passing” she can’t outrun herself and her past. I feel like Bennett could have tied up a few loose ends, but other than that this was such a good read!

I really loved this book. It was so interesting to me because it showed up like a thriller/mystery and yet still had barely any plot and I don’t know why but I love those kind of books. In real life, dramatic events and horrible feelings and deep trauma DONT bend to a specific, entertaining plot… they just kind of simmer and rot. Jude’s lasting trauma from her dad’s DV was super relatable to me and one of my favorite parts. With all that being said, the qualms that I’ve heard people have with the major themes of this book are super valid. To some, the trans representation felt shallow and the comparison between LGBTQ+ communities and Black communities felt uncomfortable. Even though I didn’t necessarily feel that way while reading, that doesn’t mean it’s not true and it’s a super important point of discussion.

The beginning was a hard start for me. I just couldn’t get into it at first. I found there was a lot of information about a lot of characters and so it got hard to follow at times. Then when I finally got into it, it ended so abruptly. I just felt like she put so much into the other parts of the book and then the ending felt cut short and very lack lustre. I wanted to like it more. It had potential.

Others have provided summaries, so I will give my impression of this book about twins who choose two different paths in their live and how it deeply affected them and everyone around them. This is a story that will stay with you long after it is read! It's a rich and well-written tapestry of one family that touched on many topics (all shades of racism, mother/daughter relationships, the bond of twins, etc) and makes this book a MUST read for book clubs. The story of the Vignes covers the 1960s to the 80s and is described in such techno-color that you see it unfold before you as the author meanders through their lives. This is not a linear story so be prepared for jumping around. I felt this added to the story rather than detracted. The sister who denied her heritage was a fascinating character, and maybe the saddest. While this story was brimming with interesting characters, the town of Mallard, Louisiana captivated me the most. This is a completely original story and I enjoyed every page. I did not get the ending at first and even after re-reading the final few pages, I wasn't happy with it. It took a few days before this book fully sunk in, and I could appreciate how it ended. I highly recommend it!

Hickory Lodge