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Historical FictionThe Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett - race and gender identity issues?
The Vanishing Half is my book group's current pick, and I'm wondering whether anyone here has any thought about it. I haven't read it yet and am deciding whether to skip it.
Some reviewers complain about a plot line involving a main character's relationship with a "transman" (ftm). The book mainly addresses issues of racial identity, and I'm wondering whether, and how, any parallels are drawn to gender identity.
Should I read it or skip it, and why? Thanks in advance!
Read it! It's better to stay in the habit of reading books with ideas or characters that you may not necessarily agree with than to risk becoming overly insular. You may have a chance to bring up your own POV in discussions. The story may be fantastic, there may be other valid points made. IDK. The more you know, the more you can add to your arsenal. TRAs can't debate because they are constantly hiding from anything that strays from their ideology. "I read this, so you don't have to...(use your brain, become upset, live in reality, blah blah blah)". If the book sucks, we can probably dig up a better title:) I'd say give it a try.
Thanks for weighing in. I'm actually two chapters in and so far it's well written and I'm getting interested in the story and characters. It involves twin girls, light skinned. One passes for white and conceals her family and past, the other marries a very dark skinned man and has a very dark child. Sowing seeds of thought on personal identities and how they are shaped by race, wealth, family, experience. So far, no trans stuff but as I posted initially, it's apparently on its way. Will try to post an update if/when I end up finishing it.
It sounds interesting. Keep us posted! I'm tempted to bet on how this story will go in 2020, but I want to be wrong.