At a Glance

Title: The Vanishing Half

Author: Brit Bennett

Expected Publication: June 2, 2020 by Riverhead Books

Page: 352

Genre: Literary Fiction, Race, Historical Fiction

Goodreads Rating: 4.37 out of 5

My Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis

My Thoughts

This book is amazing. It’s beautifully written and completely captivating. Also have you seen this beautiful cover?!

Broken up into 5 parts and told through various perspective this book gives me The Hearts Invisible Furies vibes. Not because of the content but instead based on the structure it’s written in and the well woven story lines that while separate, all fit seamlessly together.

I can’t even do this book justice in walking you through the summary. The journey that Brit Bennett takes us through is bigger than just the story of the Vignes Twins. At a surface level this book is about family dynamics and how blood connects us. At a deeper level it’s about racial inequality, gender identity, socio-economic inequality, sexism, and a coming of age story for two generations of women.

While the story jumps in time, we are given such deep connections to each of the women in this story. I feel as if I know them on a personal level and while men are given a voice in this story, it mainly focuses on the women. I honestly am speechless at how much I enjoyed this story. I went in with the expectation of a family drama and instead come out with one of my absolutely favorite books of 2020 and possibility even ever! The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that it made me cry while sitting on a beach and that it’s over.

If you enjoy deep, well written books, that tackle topics such as women’s equality, race, and family dynamics you will adore this book. If you enjoy beautifully crafted prose you’ll also love this book. If you love a character driven novel that doesn’t forgo a plot line, you will love this book. Actually everyone will enjoy this book. Pick it up tomorrow when it comes out HERE!

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts on The Vanishing Half. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof_books. Huge thank you to Riverhead Books for my copy!

About the Author

Born and raised in Southern California, Brit Bennett graduated from Stanford University and later earned her MFA in fiction at the University of Michigan, where she won a Hopwood Award in Graduate Short Fiction as well as the 2014 Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers. Her work is featured in the New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Paris Review, and Jezebel. The Mothers is her first novel.

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