“The Vanishing Half: A Novel” is a compelling and profound work by Brit Bennett that delves into the intricacies of identity, family, and the lasting influence of the past.
The story unfolds around the Vignes twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, who were born and raised in the small, southern black community of Mallard, Louisiana, known for its inhabitants’ obsession with light skin. The girls, indistinguishable in their shared light skin, flee their hometown at the age of sixteen to escape its stifling limitations.
In the years that follow, their lives diverge significantly. Desiree returns to Mallard with her dark-skinned daughter, Jude, after escaping an abusive marriage, while Stella, passing as white, marries a wealthy white businessman and completely severs ties with her past, including her sister.
The narrative spans several decades, providing insights into the lives of Desiree and Stella and their daughters, Jude and Kennedy. Jude, feeling out of place in Mallard, moves to California where she meets and falls in love with Reese, a transgender man. Kennedy, unaware of her mother’s past and her African American heritage, grows up in a world of privilege and aspires to be an actress.
As the narrative progresses, Bennett expertly interweaves the twins’ stories, revealing the long-lasting impacts of their choices, and exploring themes of racial identity, self-definition, and the nature of authenticity. Stella’s decision to erase her past and live as a white woman illuminates the destructive consequences of racism and colorism, as well as the personal cost of denying one’s heritage. Desiree’s choice to return to her roots, contrastingly, explores the complexities of belonging and the struggle to reconcile with the past.
The sisters’ diverging paths present a deeply affecting reflection on how the past shapes us, and how our decisions echo through generations. Through their story, Bennett poses thought-provoking questions about identity, race, and the notion of ‘passing.’ Ultimately, “The Vanishing Half” is a moving portrayal of two women’s search for identity and authenticity in a world preoccupied with color and class.
The Vanishing Half Characters
“The Vanishing Half” features a wide array of characters, but the following are some of the primary characters:
- Desiree Vignes: One of the identical twins who runs away from her small town. She eventually returns to Mallard with her dark-skinned daughter, Jude.
- Stella Vignes: Desiree’s twin sister who chooses to live as a white woman after they run away from Mallard. She completely cuts off her past and starts a new life in California.
- Jude Winston: Desiree’s daughter, who is dark-skinned and struggles with her identity in the predominantly light-skinned town of Mallard. She moves to California for college, where she meets Reese.
- Kennedy Sanders: Stella’s daughter, who is unaware of her mother’s past and her African American heritage. She aspires to become an actress.
- Reese Carter: Jude’s transgender boyfriend whom she meets in California. He is saving money for sex reassignment surgery.
- Early Jones: A man who has a long and complicated relationship with Desiree. He helps her leave her abusive husband and later becomes a constant figure in her life.
The Vanishing Half Book Club Questions
“The Vanishing Half” is a rich, thought-provoking novel that presents many topics ripe for discussion. Here are some book club questions that might guide your conversation:
- The novel explores the concept of ‘passing’ – Stella passing as white. How does this affect her relationship with her daughter, Kennedy, and her overall sense of self?
- How does Desiree’s decision to return to Mallard affect her and her daughter, Jude? How does the town react to their return?
- The theme of twinship is central to the novel. In what ways do Desiree and Stella remain connected, despite their vastly different lives? How do their decisions reflect or contrast each other?
- How do Desiree and Stella’s choices impact their daughters, Jude and Kennedy? How do the girls navigate their identities in light of their mothers’ pasts?
- Discuss the representation of gender in the novel, particularly through the character of Reese. How does his transgender identity intersect with themes of ‘passing’ and identity?
- How does the town of Mallard, with its obsession with light skin, influence the characters’ perceptions of race and beauty?
- Bennett weaves a multi-generational tale. How does she use this to explore the long-term impacts of the characters’ decisions?
- The title of the novel, “The Vanishing Half”, can be interpreted in many ways. How do you interpret it? What does it symbolize?
- What do you think the novel says about the concept of ‘home’? Is it a place, a community, a sense of belonging, or something else?
- The novel ends without a clear reconciliation or confrontation between Desiree and Stella. How did you feel about this ending? What do you imagine happens after the novel ends?
I hope you enjoyed reading The Vanishing Half summary!
