Fiction
Three Words:
Human, Intriguing, Frustrating
Review:
The story grabbed my attention from the beginning, the character development was excellent and I felt as if I was as close to each character as I would be to a family member or good friend. I cheered them on, became angry and frustrated with them, and at times, was angry or frustrated FOR them. It was an "easy" read in that I could escape into the plot and characters without sifting through endless fluff. The ending for me was abrupt I must say. I understand not all endings are what you may envision, however, I thought there could have been just a bit more tidying or tying up a few loose ends. The story in of itself would be nearly impossible to completely conclude, but some conclusion would have been nice. I felt quite disappointed, I even had to go back, "wait, did it just end?" Even though the ending was abrupt, I would still recommend this book for the character development and interesting plot alone.
Summary:
The Vanishing Half takes place in the 1950s-1990s, and centers on a mostly small town, rural Louisiana contrasted with big city Hollywood, California and New York City. It follows one family - namely African American twin sisters Desiree and Stella and their daughters, Jude and Kennedy. One sister "vanishes," the other is left to pick up the pieces and wonder where her beloved twin went. It is not only a story of sisters, but a story of the haves and have nots, and the intricacies of race and the nuances and power race holds in the United States. Identical sisters who live radically different existences who clearly question their decisions and what could have been. Their choices affect their daughters, in different yet eerily similar ways.
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