The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett (Riverhead Books, 2020), is a multi-generational family saga set from the 1940’s-1990’s and centers on identical twin black sisters, Desiree and Stella and their daughters, Jude and Kennedy. Both Desiree and Stella are light-skinned blacks who come from the fictional town of Mallard, Louisiana where all blacks have exceptionally light skin. They end up running away from home at 16, parting, and then pursuing radically different lives. Desiree eventually returns to Mallard with her dark-skinned little girl, Jude, while Stella marries a white man and spends her life living the lie that she is white, concealing her secret from even her husband and daughter, Kennedy.

The book explores many topical issues such as colorism, racism, domestic abuse, and passing.

Stella is perhaps the most interesting character as we watch her struggle to maintain her lifelong decision of passing, which causes tremendous emotional turmoil for her. What happens to the soul of a character who decides to live such an essential lie?

The Vanishing Half is a fascinating study of two twin black sisters who decide to lead radically different lives that question the truth of who they essentially are.

You can read more about Brit Bennett or her work on her website, www.britbennett.com.