Nella Larsen's "Passing" is a captivating novel that was published in 1929 and is set in the vibrant Harlem of the 1920s in New York City.

The story revolves around the encounter of two childhood friends, Clare Kendry and Irene Redfield, who both have mixed-race African-American ancestry. A chance meeting leads them to rekindle a friendship that had been long forgotten.

The title and central theme of the novel, "passing," refers to the practice of racial "passing." Clare Kendry's act of passing as white with her white husband, Jack Bellew, is a central and crucial aspect of the novel.

I downloaded this novel for just 75 cents to my Kindle while looking for something unique. I was browsing through short novellas and came across it.

I have a tendency to praise authors who can create a remarkable reading experience within the confines of less than 150 pages, as opposed to the more popular blockbusters. In "Passing," so much occurs within such a small number of pages. This is one of those books that requires reading and discussion to fully appreciate its depth. I adored the writing style, especially the abrupt ending of the novel. I may be in the minority when it comes to loving abrupt or controversial endings, but I appreciate an author who allows the reader to have a bit of involvement in the story. I have a passion for discussing books, and "Passing" is definitely one of those novels that offers a wealth of material for engaging discussions.

Wow,

for such a short novel, this one truly packs a powerful punch!

It is a classic of Harlem Renaissance literature. This little book delves deep into exploring what the concept of "passing" as white has signified for Black women throughout the course of history.

It forces us to reevaluate and question our notions of what determines someone's membership in a particular racial group. And, hooboy, that ending though!

It leaves you with a sense of震撼 and a lot to think about. The author has masterfully crafted a story that is both thought-provoking and engaging, despite its brevity. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex and often painful history of race and identity in America.

November, 2021 Update:

The movie was released on November 10 on Netflix (also in theaters, but not many of us are going out to the movies these days). Will you watch? Have you watched? Even if you don't plan to watch the film, I highly recommend this terrific NYT article, The Secret Toll of Racial Ambiguity.

Thoughts after my January, 2021 reread:

I noticed so much more this time around with Passing. It delved deeper into the complex experience of being a light-skinned Black person who could pass for white. It made me reflect on the long-reaching impact of slavery and the "one-drop rule", which labeled those with African descent as Black regardless of their appearance. In our binary world, light-skinned Blacks face a difficult choice: to perform as Black or as White. Our two main characters, Irene and Clare, childhood friends from Chicago, unexpectedly meet again in a whites-only hotel in Chicago after years apart. Irene, who identifies as Black, is temporarily performing whiteness to enjoy a peaceful cup of tea, while Clare has permanently adopted a white identity by marrying a white man.

This essay on Passing suggests that Clare and Irene are two sides of the same coin, challenging their own and each other's identities, and giving Larsen more opportunity to explore the "race issue". Irene works hard to uphold her Black identity, while Clare, who seemingly abandoned it, longs to reconnect with the Black community.

I also noticed the more tense situations and relationships between Irene and Clare, and Irene and her husband, Brian. These details helped me better understand the notoriously abrupt and shocking ending of Passing.

Almost forgot! My favorite bookish podcast, Backlisted, had an insightful episode on Passing early in their history.

Jan 18, 2021: Why I'm rereading this: I just finished The Vanishing Half and thought I'd revisit this book, believing it would make a great companion to Britt Bennett's.

There is so much to think about, especially how "passing" has changed over the years since this was written in 1929. Larsen was astute and ahead of her time, courageously writing about this topic. While reading, I constantly wondered how it was received at the time. And that ending!!! Beautifully read by Robin Miles, one of my favorite audiobook narrators.

This book managed to convey an astonishing amount of depth and complexity in such a concise manner.

It blatantly addresses race issues, but there is so much more to it - class issues, identity crises, marriage infidelity, and perhaps even lesbianism between the two main characters. Their relationship, especially in the beginning, is both subtle and intense, adding another layer of intrigue to the story.

I would classify this more as a novella rather than a full-length novel. It ended far too abruptly, leaving me with a strong desire to read more of Larsen's work. Regrettably, there isn't a vast body of her writing available. I'm only aware of one other piece by her, "Quicksand," and a few short stories.

I absolutely love it when I come across an author who makes me eager to consume all of their work and delve into their personal life, hoping to uncover the sources of their inspiration. I'm extremely curious as to why this talented author ceased writing or publishing. I sincerely hope it was a decision she made on her own terms.

So interesting.

This is about two light-skinned Black women. Their skin tone is light enough that they could pass for White. One of them has chosen to live as a White woman, while the other lives as a Black, middle-class woman. They both seem to have a strong fascination for the other's world. There might also be some resentment and envy lurking within them.

It left me with the same existential curiosity about identity as "A Separate Peace" did. It explores race in a way quite similar to "Recitatif". In both cases, they are about childhood-type friends reconnecting and delving into their memories of the past.

All in all, it is truly fascinating. The complex dynamics between these two women, their choices, and the exploration of race and identity make this a captivating subject. It makes one wonder about the fluidity of identity and how our perceptions and experiences shape who we are. It also highlights the impact of race on our lives and the ways in which we navigate and define ourselves within different social contexts.

2021 Review:

I absolutely adored the audible version that was read by Tessa Thompson. It was truly lovely, and I was completely captivated by the narrative voice that Thompson employed. Her reading brought the story to life in the most wonderful way.

I am really looking forward to this movie. I have a feeling it will be just as amazing as the audible version. The story has so much depth and potential, and I can't wait to see how it is translated onto the big screen.

Original review:

I was completely unprepared for how good this was! What a fascinating look at that time period and class. It really opened my eyes to a world that I knew very little about. The details and the characters were so well-developed, and I found myself completely immersed in the story from start to finish.

This book offers a highly nuanced exploration not only of racism and sexism but also of the intricate relationships among women. Despite its relatively short length, it packs an incredibly thought-provoking punch. After thoroughly enjoying and loving "Quicksand" last year, I was certain that I had to read "Passing" soon.

Until "The Human Stain", I was completely oblivious to the phenomenon of "passing". Irene and Clare, once childhood friends who lost touch, reunite one day in a Chicago café, only to discover that they have led vastly different lives. Clare severed all ties to her past and married a white man, who wholeheartedly believes she is white too. Irene, on the other hand, married a black doctor and remains actively involved in the black community. When Irene realizes the life Clare has crafted for herself, she is shocked by the ever-present threat hanging over her friend's head. However, this rekindling of their relationship makes Clare realize that she is more alone and isolated than she previously thought, and she starts to take up more and more space in Irene's life.

Clare, much like Coleman Silk, made the decision to live a life not defined by her race in a society where institutional racism permeates every aspect of life. This was no easy task, to say the least, as the consequences of her true "identity" being exposed could be extremely severe (this was long before the Civil Rights era, and there were no laws safeguarding these women) - especially since she married a rather aggressively racist man. I was truly puzzled by this (not to mention outraged by the horrible things he says): binding your life to someone who hates such a crucial part of yourself so vehemently makes no sense to me. Her marriage is built on a huge lie! It seemed no wonder to me that reconnecting with people who knew her for who she really was suddenly filled a void in her life.

Larsen tackled the issue of how others' perceptions shape our identity in "Quicksand"; Helga simply desired to be herself and free from the limitations society imposed on her due to her mixed heritage. The burden of others' prejudices and misunderstandings can be overwhelming and exhausting. Here, it is more about how we perceive others as belonging with us or not, which is ultimately just as complex an issue.

Anyone who has ever felt that they didn't conform to the perception others had of them will find this book captivating. It is highly recommended.

Nella Larson (1891 - 1964) was born in Chicago to parents of mixed race. Her mother was Danish, and her father was Afro-Caribbean, with a mixed race heritage as well.

Consequently, Nella found herself caught in between two worlds, not fully white nor fully black. It was thus quite natural for her to pen down her life experiences. And that's precisely what she accomplishes in "Passing" (1929).

The story is set in Harlem and centers around two women, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Both have light skin. Irene is secure and happy, embracing her racial identity. On the other hand, Clare is "passing" as a white woman and is burdened with all the insecurities that her secret brings.

The book is exquisitely written. Larsen creates her characters with such vivid visual and verbal clarity that they truly dominate the narrative.

This work earns a well-deserved 4.5 stars for its engaging plot, well-developed characters, and the author's ability to explore the complex themes of race and identity.

No, she continued. No more for me either. Not even a girl. It's dreadful the way it skips generations and then pops out. Why, he actually said he didn't care what color it turned out to be, as long as I would just stop fretting about it. But, of course, nobody desires a dark child. Her voice was sincere and she took it for granted that her listeners were in complete agreement with her.

Irene, whose head had jerked up swiftly, now spoke in a voice with even tones that she was proud of: "One of my boys is dark." This is the harsh reality of the color line.

Clare Kendry relishes the company of Negroes. Just sitting and observing the interaction fulfilled the acceptance she craved. Clare has cut off all connections to her past in order to become part of white, middle-class society.

2025/01

While delving into Passing, my thoughts inevitably drifted to my college acquaintance, Christopher. He was an imposing figure, standing at least 1.90 m tall, and a white man. He once confided in me that whenever he visited his aunt in Austin during the summer, he could effortlessly pretend to be an American, and no one would suspect he was Mexican. It was far simpler than fielding all those questions about his origin and the common refrain, "But you don't look Mexican to me." Chris was not only fluent in English but had been traveling to the States at least once a year since infancy. He could pass as an American not just because of his impeccably standard American accent but primarily because of his appearance that didn't conform to the typical perception of a Mexican. The sad truth, as he would lament, was that people abroad seemed to believe there were no white people in Mexico, that it was impossible for Mexican parents to have white children. I would counter that they were probably ignorant individuals who had never ventured beyond their narrow perspectives and had no inkling of the rich diversity of our country.

The reality in Mexico is that people still hold the belief that belonging to a particular racial group can confer certain "advantages" in society and lead to differential treatment. At least here, it often boils down to classism rather than blatant racism. For instance, it was once said that if you were white with blue eyes, you could skip the line at a bar and gain entry much more quickly than a brown-skinned person. While this might have been the case years ago, it's harder to determine in the present day. Another example is the prevalence of typical advertisements on TV, in magazines, or in Mexican telenovelas, where the cheerful, white family was often depicted, unconsciously shaping the perception that this was the only standard of beauty and happiness. In my memory, I recall moments when someone would say, "I am white, don't you see? I'm not 'morenito'" or use the derogatory term 'prieto,' which is still used to describe something ugly, poor, and dirty. 'Prieto' is also a way to describe a brown person, but in a highly insulting and degrading manner. However, with a new mindset emerging these days, the phenomenon of "passing" has become less prominent. I would argue that a significant number of people in Mexico have begun to embrace their skin color as an integral part of their identity and have started to feel proud of their roots.

Passing delves into the reality of some black individuals who felt compelled to seek acceptance within another racial group to escape the prejudice and discrimination they endured. The story centers around a character who has lived her life passing as a white woman, and our protagonist, who happens to be her friend and endeavors to understand her life. Despite its brevity and straightforward narrative, the more I read, the more thought-provoking it became. It inspired me to explore further into this period of history and attempt to fathom the social dynamics in the States during the time the novel was set. In conclusion, this book is suitable for anyone with an interest in this topic, as well as for those who wish to "discover" such a talented writer. I can't guarantee that you'll find the book of a lifetime here, but it will undoubtedly offer some valuable insights and a worthwhile reading experience.

My rating on a scale of 1 to 5:

Quality of writing [4/5]
Pace [4.5/5]
Plot development [4/5]
Characters [4/5]
Enjoyability [4.5/5]
Insightfulness [4.5/5]
Easy of reading [4.5/5]
Photos/Illustrations [N/A]

Total [30/7] = 4.28

2020 PopSugar Reading Challenge
A book featuring one of the seven deadly sins
The book that met this criterion for me was Envy, as represented in Nella Larsen's Passing.

This is #1 in the #10books10decads challenge

I got this wonderful idea from a fellow GR reviewer, Reggie Bailey. I believe Reggie came up with the challenge. (Sorry, Reggie, I have no idea how to tag you!)

I began with the 1920's and chose to read Passing. I truly loved this book! Irene's character was extremely complex and flawed. To some, she might seem unlikable due to her anger, disingenuous appearance, capriciousness, jealousy, and hypocrisy. However, it becomes clear that beneath all of that lies a deep-seated self-loathing that Irene does not admit to and may not even be conscious of. This has a huge impact on her relationship with Clare Kendry. Irene was a messy and human character, and through her, we were able to explore so many fascinating themes. Themes such as racial identity versus self-identity, duty to self versus duty to race, and racial passing and the toll it takes on those who pass. It also challenges the racist pseudoscience that was prevalent at the time regarding the inherent characteristics of race. There was also definitely some repressed homoerotic desire going on here (and I absolutely loved these moments).

Full review to come, but really Nella? That’s it???