A outra metade
Ratings1
Average rating4
15
Ratings1
Average rating4
The Vignes twin sisters will always be identical. But after growing up together in a small, southern black community and running away at age sixteen, it's not just the shape of their daily lives that is different as adults, it's everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. Ten years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. What will happen to the next generation, when their own daughters' storylines intersect? Weaving together multiple strands and generations of this family, from the Deep South to California, from the 1950s to the 1990s, Brit Bennett produces a story that is at once a riveting, emotional family story and an exploration of the American history of passing.
Reviews with the most likes.
The problem when reading a book with a lot of hype are the expectations created around it. I'm not saying this one doesn't deserve it, but I've felt a bit disappointed by it.
This book follows the story of two identical light-skinned colored twin sisters who decide two leave their hometown at 16, for different reasons.
Despite being identical, Desiree and Stella could not be more different and, after a difficult beginning living by themselves, Stella disappears without trace, leaving no notes or signals behind. Some years later we see Desiree returning to her hometown with a child as black as could be and learn that Stella is passing for white in a destination unknown.
As the years pass, the story starts following Stella and Desiree daughters, allowing us to read more perspectives on the main issues included in the book.
What I liked about the book:
- The story was beautifully written, and I particularly enjoyed Desiree and Stella POV.
- I loved how racism was captured in the book, both from the white, light skinned and black perspectives, showing that there could be (and are) very different oppressors in society.
- I liked how the book showed that we may try to run away or avoid our past, living as someone entirely different, but we will always carry something from it because our life experiences mould us.
What I think it could have been done better:
- This book tried to tackle too many issues at once, ending not developing any of them with the depth they deserved.
Some if the issues depicted on the book:
o Racism
o Domestic violence
o Child abandonment
o New identities
o Queer issues
o Mental health
o Alzheimer
- I enjoy the inclusion of diverse character on books, but I like them to feel realistic. In my opinion, Reese character was poorly developed and felt unrealistic. Analysing Reese perspective, it would appear to be easy to be a Trans at the time. I don't think it is easy to be Trans nowadays, much less in the 80's. Everyone immediately saw Reese as a cis man, much too beautiful to be dating Jude, but that is mainly it. I also have difficulties believing it would be easier at the time to find a group as inclusive as Jude's, including black people, gays, trans, drags, all from different origins, with no particular issues or problems on their daily lives.
- Underwhelming end
I liked the book and would recommend it to historical fiction readers, particularly the ones who prefer a lighter focus on the characters development.
3.5 stars rounded up
