The Vanishing Half by Brit BennettMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is an excellent book. I have never read anything quite like it.
From the beginning I was hooked. Mallard was a strange place; a strange premise for a story. It was interesting to subsequntyl learn that such settlements did indeed exist. I had no idea that the story would unfold the way it did. Switching focus on different characters in different timelines was like discovering something one step at a time. The book was about the way that people change, some significantly, some less so. But no one stays the same. It was also about the stories that people construct for themselves, sometimes based on lies or distortions. And it was about the damage that living a lie can do to a family. It was about love, trust and being faithful to oneself. The amazing thing was realising just how complex and deep a story about the struggles of black people can be developed in a comprehensive and fulfilling way, without making the story itself about race or colour. It was about self-identity, and dealt with issues that are universal.
I really enjoyed the way that Stella disappeared and transformed herself, and then noticed that it wasn't just about her transformation. When Reese was introduced, I was struck by his change from girl to boy. Then Early changed from hunter to protector. Barry changed every second Saturday into a drag queen; Desiree changed into an adult; Adele changed massively through dementia; Kennedy changed every time she took on a new stage role…. Everyone was in a state of flux and the author held it all together, adjusting relationships and adapting with great skill to the shifting times, contexts, locations and personalities. The characters were richly drawn and each very distinctive. And every character is written about in such a sensitive and non-judgmental way. That made it easy to like them and sympathise with each of them. The last few chapters were very sad, but also filled with resolution.
All in all, a brilliant book, and I am recommending it to all who will listen.
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