The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Brit Bennett’s second book, The Vanishing Half, is a compelling, timely and provocative story about race. More specifically, Bennett’s novel illuminates the irrational and outsized role pigmentation plays in American life. Not only in terms of black and white but all the shades in between. By following the lives of twin light-skinned African-Americans sisters, the reality of skin color as a determinant of social status is laid bare. One sister decides to live her life as a black woman, while the other chooses to “pass” as a white woman. Bennett’s story explores each sister’s life and the ramifications of her choice. Not since Nell Larsen’s 1929 novel Passing has a book beautifully explored the nuances of Black Americans’ “passing” as white.  

 

When Stella and Desiree Vignes are young girls, living in the small town of Mallard, Louisiana, their father is dragged out of their family home and murdered by a gang of white men. Their mother and they persist despite their pain. Years later, in August of 1954, the twins vanish from Mallard. After finding jobs in New Orleans, Stella realizes that she can “pass” for white as can her sister. However, Stella’s circumstances make it easy for her to do so. Soon Stella leaves Delia in New Orleans, marries her white boss and moves to Los Angeles. Desiree moves to Washington D.C., where she marries a dark-skinned black man with whom she works.

 

Though the novel follows both sisters’ lives, the emotional power of the novel derives from the tension around Stella’s “passing.” Living as a white woman in Los Angeles allows Stella to escape racial prejudice and discrimination and experience the privileges of being white. She tells her husband, daughter, and friends that she is an only child, and her parents have died. Yet, Stella lives in fear that she will be found out. Her decision to pass means that she must eradicate her childhood from her mind. Pain, hollowness and isolation are the prices Stella pays for this deception. “At first, seemed so simple, she couldn’t understand why her parents hadn’t done it. But she was young then. She hadn’t realized how long it takes to become somebody else, or how lonely it can be living in a world not meant for you.” 169

 

Meanwhile, Desiree returns to Mallard because her darker-skinned husband beat her, the hue of her husband’s skin is noted by the residents of Mallard. Desiree and her daughter Jude are embraced and loved by the community. Desiree’s life is limited by discrimination, and yet she feels freer because her choice does not require her to hide.  

 

Stella and Desiree both have daughters. And as the story progresses, these cousins find one another and piece together their connection. My small issue with the novel is that I found it surprising that the twins left their mother and then each other without dialogue. Also, it strains credulity that Stella and Desiree’s daughters meet one another in Los Angeles. However, the collective human unconscious moves in mysterious ways. These instances in no way minimize the book’s powerful impact. 

 

The Vanishing Half is an enjoyable read. Bennett has created engaging characters while educating readers about the nuances of race and privilege. As America focuses on its sorry racial history, this novel provides an excellent contribution to this discussion.