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Identical twins, Stella and Desiree, were inseparable as children. They grew up in a small southern town in Louisiana, where racial divides made it difficult for the two to find their place in the community. Together, the girls decide to escape to the big city of New Orleans, in hopes of a better future. But their choices take them on two very different paths: Stella marries a wealthy white man and has a blonde daughter who doesn't know Stella is Black, and Desiree marries a Black lawyer and has a dark skinned Black daughter.
Identical twins, Stella and Desiree, were inseparable as children. They grew up in a small southern town in Louisiana, where racial divides made it difficult for the two to find their place in the community. Together, the girls decide to escape to the big city of New Orleans, in hopes of a better future. But their choices take them on two very different paths: Stella marries a wealthy white man and has a blonde daughter who doesn't know Stella is Black, and Desiree marries a Black lawyer and has a dark skinned Black daughter.
The Vanishing Half tells the story of how Stella and Desiree's choices alter their lives as well as their daughters' lives. The juxtaposition of their two stories exposes the hierarchies entrenched in American society and also provides a thought-provoking commentary on race, gender, class, and sexuality. This is a beautifully written, timely novel that would make a perfect summer read.
The Vanishing Half tells the story of how Stella and Desiree's choices alter their lives as well as their daughters' lives. The juxtaposition of their two stories exposes the hierarchies entrenched in American society and also provides a thought-provoking commentary on race, gender, class, and sexuality. This is a beautifully written, timely novel that would make a perfect summer read.
Review by Katie Siler
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