the vanishing half book club summary

Stella has always been secretive, but now Kennedy knows her mother has been lying to her. Before, Stella had been hoping to go to college. In Part II (1968), we learn that Stella had married her boss, Blake Sanders, and they had moved away. They ran away from home at sixteen on August 14, 1954. Themes. Early now works a proper job at the oil refinery instead, and he helps take care of Adele, who has Alzheimer’s. (The Detailed Plot Summary is also available, below). The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. Stella also gives Early her wedding ring to sell off for money to help with Adele's care. Honestly I could split the book in half and say I liked the first half a lot and the second half not as much. Bennett grew up in Oceanside in southern California. She longs to tell Loretta the truth, and she secretly goes over to Loretta’s while Blake is at work. Join us for Fray Book Club on August 6th! Important Quotes. Adele passes away, and Jude and Reese go home to attend the funeral. Together, they track Stella's location to Boston. Around this time, MLK and JFK Jr. are assassinated. One night Jude works a retirement party for a rich white man, Mr. Hardison, who her boss Carla Stewart (who owns the catering company) says is an important client. Kennedy had called Cindy the n-word. These chapters are comprised of smaller fragmented divisions. I was surprised how quickly I found myself drawn into this story. Meanwhile, Stella got a job as secretary while passing as white. Stella is now working as an adjunct professor. It’s a multilayered story about identity, family and the secrets we keep. The Vanishing Half follows the lives of two twin girls, both light-skinned Black girls, who run away from home at the age of sixteen. Brit Bennett's novel, The Vanishing Half, follows the lives of Stella and Desiree Vignes, identical twin girls born in Louisiana in 1938. Jude was fired after dropping the wine. They tell Stella to go fetch Desiree. The next day, Loretta tells Stella that Kennedy can’t play with Cindy anymore. What do you think she was hoping to achieve or get out of it, and do you think it was worth it? It also works as a general work of fiction for those who like books about personal journeys, coming of age stories and narratives about self-discovery. Jude had seen the flyers, showed up and gave Kennedy the number for their hotel room. Bennett’s writing is straightforward, but descriptive in the right places. The Vanishing Half. Part 4. Stella’s husband, Blake Sanders, is the son of a banking executive and a Yale graduate. In Part II (1978), Jude is now in college at UCLA. Synopsis. Los Angeles-based Brit Bennet’s second novel, The Vanishing Half is the timeless tale of the Vignes twin sisters, who – while born identical – grow up to live two very different lives. The book tracks their lives across generations, as their lives branch away from each other and yet remain intertwined. I actually liked the ending to the book. Kennedy is pursuing an acting career, and she confirms that it was Stella. Reese is now working at a Kodak store. While this book does a good job of telling a powerful and meaningful story, as far as issues surrounding race goes, I think most of the territory this book covers will be familiar to that type of reader. Have you read The Vanishing Half or would you consider reading it? The men claimed Leon had written dirty notes to a white woman, but Leon was illiterate and the rumor was they’d really killed him for underbidding them in a business contract. Stella is now working as an adjunct professor. However, Stella asks Kennedy not to tell her father (Stella's not planning on changing her life). When Kennedy asks about the missing ring, Stella is glad for Kennedy to be back and too tired of lying, so she just tells her the truth. Reese wants to get surgery for his chest, so Jude gets a higher-paying catering job to help save money. Angrily, Jude tells her the truth about Stella and Mallard. They recognize each other. By March, the Walkers have moved out. Kennedy grows up believing she is entirely white. Stella didn’t consider leaving until they were pulled out of school in 10th grade to work as maids as well. Present day (1968) in New Orleans, Early Jones is a bounty hunter-slash-people-finder. In Part IV (1982), Jude is now working while applying to medical school. Chapter Summaries & Analyses. The Vanishing Half Book Club Questions One day, Loretta cuts off their friendship after Kennedy calls Cindy the n-word. Desiree also tells Early about Stella, and Early offers to find her. The Vanishing Half Book Review. Curious to hear other opinions on this. Very helpful in keeping various characters in order. Early had ended up tracking Stella through Boston, but the trail ran cold from there. 352 pp. Now, 14 years later in 1968, Desiree has returned home with her daughter to escape Sam's abuse. Afterwards, Desiree and Early move to Houston. The other secretly passes for white, and her white husband knows nothing of her past. As soon as the narrative shifted to the … She thinks about how when they first left Mallard, they got jobs doing laundry at Dixie Laundry in New Orleans. They are wealthy and have a blond-haired, violet-eyed daughter, Kennedy. She turns out to be quite good at selling houses. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person’s decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. Adele advises Desiree to leave Stella alone, since she doesn’t want to be found. Your email address will not be published. No reading group should be without this book club companion to Bret Bennett's acclaimed novel, The Vanishing Half.This comprehensive guide includes useful background to the novel, a full plot summary, discussion of themes & symbols, detailed character notes, thought-provoking discussion questions, and even a quick quiz. The Vanishing Half is a historical fiction novel by American author Brit Bennett.It is her second novel and was published by Riverhead Books in 2020. Must now more about Patreon before becoming a member. Did you like the way things were resolved. One of the other cast members is the girl with the violet eyes that Jude had met at that party, which turns out to be Kennedy. She attends a friend's show where she meets Kennedy, recognizing her as the violet-eyed girl who was with the woman she that looked like her mother. For example, Stella ends up living in a white neighborhood, filled with the type of people who might support Dr. King’s ideas, but who also don’t want Black people living in their neighborhood. Brit Bennett's second novel, The Vanishing Half (after The Mothers, her 2016 bestselling debut), follows Desiree and Stella Vignes, identical twins born in 1938 in Mallard, Louisiana, a town so small it can't even be found on a map.Settled by the girls' ancestors, the town prides itself on its residents being primarily African Americans with very light skin tones (the lighter, the more prized). The other cast members consider Kennedy to be a spoiled brat, but Jude longs to hear anything about Stella. Hi Julie, I love thoughtful and interesting comments like yours, so first thank you for your thoughts! Stella has not seen her daughter since the incident with the photograph. Mallard is a community of light-skinned colored people. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. Jude and Kennedy are still in touch, unbeknownst to their mothers, so Jude tells Kennedy. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Kennedy moves to Europe. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett review – two faces of the black experience A light-skinned twin sister constructs a new identity as a white woman in a … Passing to survive! The novel opens the door wide in an extravagant welcome to share varied lives, very personally. Part 3. Do you agree with Early’s decision to stop trying to find Stella because it was clear she didn’t want to be found? In Part IV (1982), Jude is now working while applying to medical school. Early Jones makes a living tracking people down and bounty hunting. Now, in the bar, Early notices her bruises. I just finished reading the book a few minutes ago, and I’m curious to know if you liked the ending? At school, the other kids stare at Jude because she is so much darker than them. Secretly, Early had also kept tabs on Sam, who was now living with a new wife and three boys. What did you think about the ending? As a dark-skinned girl who grew up with only light-skinned Black people, she has been bullied and excluded her whole life. When the twins were young, Leon Vignes was murdered by five white men. Brit Bennett, 2020. Looking well beyond issues of race, The Vanishing Half considers the lasting influence of the past as it shapes a person's decisions, desires, and expectations, and explores some of the multiple reasons and realms in which people sometimes feel pulled to live as something other than their origins. I loved how Bennett made the characters not ” perfect” but full of the real issues that make up the racial questions we all have to grapple with every day, especially if you are a woman of color. At home, Stella learns that their mother Adele now has Alzheimer's. She meets and falls for Reese, a southern boy who is transgendered. In Part II (1978), Jude is now in college at UCLA. In reality, the summary of this book doesn’t provide even a quarter of the complex journey within its pages. Jude gives Kennedy a photo of their mothers. Why do you think she ended up with him? I took the last sentence (about the river and begging to forget) to be about how we are all formed according to our paths, and most of us have some part of that we try to leave behind and pain associated it that we want to forget about. Blake loves the show and is friendly toward Reg. The Vanishing Half Symbols & Motifs. In November 1982, Barry gets a spot in the chorus line of a small musical comedy show, called The Midnight Marauders, at the Stardust Theater. Desiree always wanted to leave, but Stella isn't motivated to run away until they are pulled out of high school to work as cleaners. Bennett cr She hasn’t seen Kennedy since the day with the photograph when Kennedy accused her of being incapable of telling the truth. They are wealthy and have a blond-haired, violet-eyed daughter, Kennedy. Reese thinks it’s a bad idea, but Jude has spent her whole life watching her mother pine over the idea of having Stella back. And I agree, it felt to be less about issues of racism but about secrets. She also meets up with Kennedy to try to convince her to go back to school. For a non-spoiler version of the plot synopsis, see The Bibliofile's review of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. Soon, a flaming bag of dog shit is left on their porch and another brick goes flying. They have a blond haired, violet eyed daughter Kennedy, and they live a life of comfort. Stella has been passing for white. Each of these characters is a product of their past and also is trying to make peace with their past as well. Stella also gives Early her wedding ring to sell off for money to help with Adele's care. Stella later got a job as a secretary at a department store Maison Blanche where they only accept whites. Spoiler warning: these summaries contains spoilers. Book club: If you go Brit Bennett, author of “The Vanishing Half,” joins the Los Angeles Times Book Club in conversation with Times writer Carla Hall . He works with Big Ceel, a bail bondsman. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. Sam started hitting her, so she had to leave. In making those choices, the Vanishing Half also contemplates the things that people must hide from those that they love, the sacrifices they have to make and the things they have to do to keep those identities safe from others who wouldn’t accept it. See the archives. Why do you think the neighborhood loves the character that Reginald Walker plays on his television show, but still treats him so poorly? When Kennedy asks about the ring, Stella is happy she's back and tired of lying and finally tells her the full truth. In 1978, Jude arrives in Los Angeles. I really, really wish I had a group to discuss this book with right now. Stella and Blake give Kennedy one year to try the acting thing with them paying her rent. Jude returns later to talk to Kennedy. I thought it was both hopeful (the daughters staying in touch, Jude and Reese being happy, Stella and Kennedy able to finally address the truth) and realistic (Agnes passing away and being buried in a still-segregated cemetery, Stella and Desiree get some form of reconciliation, but ultimately Stella stands by the decision she made so many years ago and can’t fathom changing her life now). The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett is a novel that weaves together the story of twins, as well as those who’s lives have been touch by them. The residents are angry that one of the houses had been sold to a black man. Jude is still in touch with Kennedy and lets her know, though their mothers do not know they speak. There is a Black family (Reginald and Loretta Walker, with their daughter Cindy) moving into their neighborhood, to everyone's displeasure. It opens a conversation on the complexity of identity and how we all change. 25 One night, they talk about their first kisses. While outright racism like that is less blatant now in 2020, there are plenty of supposedly “woke” liberals nowadays who still wouldn’t consider marrying outside their race (most will make an exception for a fling or hookup) and whose social circles consist entirely of other white people, with maybe one token Black friend (often bi-racial and almost always someone of means) added on. Now, 14 years later, Desiree has returned to Mallard with her daughter, Jude. Farrah had been a fellow runaway, waiting tables at a jazz club, but was now married to an alderman. Reese works as a cleaner at a gym near UCLA and loves photography. It debuted at number one on The New York Times fiction best-seller list. Essay Topics. You can take a listen to the clip on Amazon to see if it appeals to you, but it wasn’t to my taste personally. In Part V (1985), Kennedy and Jude end up meeting again in New York. In Part I (1968), Stella and Desiree Vignes are twins from Mallard, Louisiana, a town full of light-skinned Black people, who run away from home at 16. When Leon survived, the men went to the hospital and shot him. Stella tells Jude it was another life and leaves quickly, not staying for the rest of the show. Still, even separated by so many miles and just as many lies, the fates of the twins remain intertwined. The following summary adopts a more linear plot trajectory. Many years later, one sister lives with her black daughter in the same southern town she once tried to escape. One night at work, she sees a woman (Stella) and the shock makes her drop a bottle of wine. Their father was Oceanside's first black city attorney, and their mother a … Stella thinks back to her life as a cleaner for Mr. Dupont before she left Mallard. Loretta has been gearing up for a fight with the school over letting her daughter in, but Stella warns her against it. Growing up in the small Louisiana town of Mallard in the 1950s, Desiree and Stella are confronted with questions about their identity. What do you think about Jude’s curiosity about Stella? One night at work, she sees a woman (Stella) and the shock makes her drop a bottle of wine. The characters are faced with limitations and hard decisions as they are forced to choose their identities. Farrah had seen Stella a while back, on the arm of a handsome white man. Jude and Reese are there for Reese's surgery. In 1954, when they are sixteen, they run away from home. One day, Loretta cuts off their friendship after Kennedy calls Cindy the n-word. In college, Jude meets Reese Carter, a southern boy from Arkansas. In her decreased mental state, Adele barely reacts. Jude gives Kennedy a photo of their mothers. Stella befriends Loretta, but tries to hide it from others. But, Early and Desiree head to New Orleans to look for her anyway. They hug and they catch up, but then Stella sneaks out at night to leave and return to her life. What do you think of Stella’s decision to pass as white? Perhaps it felt a little sudden, but I think it made sense. Vox Book Club live with Brit Bennett, author of The Vanishing Half Brit Bennett, author of The Vanishing Half, joins Constance Grady for this month's Vox Book Club discussion. Jude is still in touch with Kennedy and lets her know, though their mothers do not know they speak. Summary. However, one day she left, leaving only a note. Beyond that, this would be good for people who are looking for a novel to help them understand some of the issues surrounding race (and even transgender issues). If you were in their situation, what path do you think you would have chosen? Mostly I’m curious what others from different backgrounds would think, since depending on people’s experiences you may view these characters and the decisions that they make differently. 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