Oh, wow.

What a wonderfully written, thought-provoking, and powerful piece of literature this is!

For such a small novel, which isn't even 200 pages, there is an astonishing amount of story within these pages.

Nella Larsen's remarkable skill with the written word and the masterful way she structured the story allow for so many elements and subjects to be broached.

Even beyond the central concept of 'passing' that the novel revolves around, Larsen delves into themes such as identity, race, class, and gender.

Published in 1929, this novel holds up with just as much importance today as it did ninety years ago.

It is truly a classic that continues to resonate with readers and offer valuable insights into the human experience.

Passing: (as it pertains to racial identity) is a complex and significant concept. It occurs when a person classified as a member of one racial group is accepted, passes, as a member of another.

Historically, in the U.S., this term was mainly used to describe a person of color who assimilated into the white majority to avoid the segregated social conventions of racism.

Nell Larsen presents us with two remarkable characters - Irene and Clare. Both are black by birth but have light skin that allows them to “pass” as white. While Irene passes occasionally, often accidentally, Clare has made passing her life's work.

Their interactions, as published in 1929, vividly illustrate the trauma of systemic bigotry and racial discrimination.

Larsen's skill in projecting the ethos of her era is truly remarkable and had me deeply engaged. This novel is one that lodges in your brain and seems to play handball against the back of your eyes.

Over 90 years have passed since Nell Larsen first wrote this, and one would hope we had made more progress. However, here we still are. Only now, it's the racists who are passing. Passing for patriots. Passing for Christians. It's a sad state of affairs that shows we still have a long way to go in addressing and eradicating racism.

For the first time, I am participating in a women's century challenge in the group catching up on classics.

My selection for the 1920s is "Passing" by Nella Larsen, a semi-autobiographical novella. In it, a young, mixed-race woman light enough to pass decides to live her adult life as white. Larsen takes her readers back to a bygone era when African Americans were starting to make inroads in northern society, delving into the perception of race from multiple perspectives.

Irene Redfield and her husband Brian are part of W.E.B. DuBois' mythical talented tenth of Negro society. Although Irene can pass for white in some circles, Brian cannot, and they make Harlem their home. Brian foresees the danger of raising African American children in an integrated society and urges Irene to immigrate to Brazil, where race is less of an issue. However, Irene is an American and a sought-after member of Harlem social circles, so the family stays in New York. A chance encounter with an old acquaintance, Clare Kendry, makes Irene question her views on race for the first time.

Clare Kendry is light enough to pass for white and marries an upper-crust banker, alternating her life between Europe and New York. Even after twelve years, she hides the fact that she is black from her white supremacist husband. After meeting Irene, she decides she wants to be part of Harlem society instead of white America. But Redfield is reluctant to admit Kendry to her inner circle due to an internal emotional conflict. As a result, she questions her own views on race relations for the first time in her marriage and even wonders if her husband was right about moving to Brazil. Throughout the novel, the reader sees the views on race of Irene, Clare, and both their husbands, providing insight into the country's feelings toward integration during the 1920s.

Larsen herself was light enough to pass and married white to better herself in society. As a white woman, she was able to publish "Passing," "Quicksand," and one other little-read novel. But after the truth about her race came out, she was denied publication of her other works, and her marriage ended in a bitter divorce. The migration of African Americans to northern cities had just begun in this era, and Larsen's opportunities were limited. She spent the rest of her life working as a nurse in a Harlem hospital, living as a negro rather than white.

I found "Passing" to be a powerful piece of literature as the reader delves into the conflicted emotions of many characters as they grapple with the race question. Although there may have been more opportunities as a white person in the 1920s, the talented tenth in Harlem brought their own culture to the American melting pot. Because of the personal nature of the novel, Nella Larsen presents in-depth characters in her story. A candid look at the race question, "Passing" is a gem from 1920s literature and a worthy entry in a century of reading women, for which I rate 4.5 stars.

Short classics have always been my passion. I truly enjoy the process of getting smarter within a short span of under 2 hours.

Now, not only do I feel more intelligent, but also a bit more pretentious. However, I had an amazing time on this journey of self-improvement.

Living the dream of constantly expanding my knowledge and understanding through these short yet impactful reads.

That's sufficient as a review.

The bottom line is that sometimes, all a book needs to be is short and impressive.

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During Black History Month, I have been reading books by Black authors. Here are the books I've read:

book 1: caste

book 2: business not as usual

book 3: the color purple

book 4: the parking lot attendant

book 5: kindred

book 6: wrapped up in you

book 7: the boyfriend project

book 8: a song below water

book 9: filthy animals

book 10: passing

What if I could be someone else?

Crossing borders, sneaking into a different society through the back door, and living a secret life, fearing the consequences of detection - that is the main theme of "Passing". I read it directly after "Quicksand", but had to let it sink in for a couple of days before reviewing.

"Quicksand" is about how you slowly, steadily sink deeper and deeper into life, choking when you feel the lack of choice, the lack of freedom in a world that judges you for the colour of your skin, your gender, your attitude towards traditions. "Passing", on the other hand, is about rebellion against the status quo. It ends with an explosion of violence that I was rather unprepared for and still can't digest entirely, as it challenged my perception of "good" and "bad" characters to the breaking point - which is something I appreciate in a novel.

Nella Larsen is definitely a new discovery for me this year. She writes seemingly effortless stories of women facing racism and male dominance in the glamorous New York of the 1920s. But she doesn't stop there. Her stories are also deeply concerned with the relationship between women themselves and their contrasting responses to their shared situation. It's a tale of love and friendship and hate and betrayal, of victors that turn into victims and vice versa.

"Passing", the main topic of the short novel, was something completely new to me as a phenomenon. Light-skinned women who have African American heritage choose "to pass" for white in certain circumstances to be able to move in the world that is closed to them if they admit their ancestry. In the time of strict segregation, this is a risky business. Fearing the humiliation of detection and expulsion from the society they are not allowed to enter on equal terms if they are honestly admitting their roots, they live a thrilling, but also nerve-racking life on the border of everyday, institutionalised racism.

The two main characters are childhood friends who choose different paths in life. One of them marries a white, blatantly racist man and lives her life in privilege and fear of discovery, while the other chooses to stay within the Harlem community and raise her children in the African American cultural setting.

Tension grows over the years as the friends meet and compare notes. What are the rules for these women in a society that is hugely unjust towards them? What is the game they are playing themselves? And what compensation are they entitled to?

It's a story of what women do to each other as well. Instead of uniting to create a better platform for themselves, they develop a (sub?)conscious competition. And the stakes are high! If you fall, they are deadly.

This novel left me deeply saddened, but also grateful. It opened a new door and widened my perspective on discrimination, while giving me the kind of shiver only a good thriller can produce.

This is a short novel that truly packs a significant punch.

I had anticipated the themes of race and racism to be present, yet I was taken aback by the remarkable intensity with which the protagonist's feelings of ferocious jealousy were portrayed.

The ending, in particular, came as quite a shock. I am extremely glad that in this particular instance, I approached the book without any prior knowledge of how it would conclude. (And rest assured, I won't spoil it here!)

"Passing" was my chosen book for the Read Harder Challenge task which required me to "read a classic by an author of color".

I opted to listen to the audiobook version, which was narrated by Robin Miles. I must say that I felt her narration was truly exemplary. It added an extra layer of depth and nuance to the story, making the listening experience all the more engaging and immersive.

The way she brought the characters to life and captured their emotions was truly remarkable. It made me feel as if I was right there with them, experiencing their joys and sorrows.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book, whether in its written or audiobook form, to anyone who is interested in exploring themes of race, identity, and jealousy. It is a powerful and thought-provoking read that will stay with you long after you have finished it.

Huzzah for the neat seguing of plot pulse and theme! This one truly proves to be a far better outing than Quicksand. It relies on the dialogue and interactions between characters to gradually disclose its cleverly withheld secrets.

Till the very end, Larsen successfully keeps the reader guessing at the hidden fears, ambitions, and motivations that drive Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. These are two light-skinned black women who subscribe to different forms of morally ambiguous survivalist ideology to counter the omnipresent threat posed by a white supremacist socioeconomic milieu.

Unlike Quicksand, the plot here doesn't reflect a monomaniacal desire to observe the unities of time. Snippets of disconcerting social gatherings and passive-aggressive conversations are braided together to represent the common thread of an uneasy, even dysfunctional, relationship spread out over the span of years.

In a way, 'Passing' is less about two intelligent women cautiously toeing the invisible boundary separating white and black America and more about characters futilely grappling with a malignant identity crisis. The race issue looms large in the background like a perpetual accompaniment to the marital discord and sexual jealousy, but it never overshadows the finely balanced interplay of thought and action that steers the story ahead.

The rating is an acknowledgement of the degree of my emotional involvement and the fact that the ending left me slightly slack-jawed.

This book is simply one of the best ever written. It has the power to transport readers to another world, filled with vivid characters and a captivating plot. From the very first page, it hooks you and doesn't let go until the very end. The author's writing style is engaging and descriptive, making it easy to imagine every scene and emotion. Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good story and wants to be entertained. So, if you haven't already, pick up this book and prepare to be amazed.

This was truly a fascinating book. Even if one were to overlook the profound discussion on racism and identity that it embodies, there is still so much to discover. Many reviews seem to focus solely on these as its themes, but there is more to it than meets the eye.

Claire is an extremely interesting and tragic character. Her decision to exchange her self-respect and identity for social and financial privileges makes her somewhat similar to 'trophy wives', another group of women who are often the subject of bias.

Irene's attraction towards her is yet another interesting aspect. It kind of reminds one of the attraction the narrator of 'Bartleby the Scrivener' had for the titular character of that novel. In both cases, the object of attraction is made alluring by a seductive confidence in their own actions, and yet they bring with them the promise of destructive chaos for the socially well-adjusted person who is drawn to them.

This complex web of relationships and themes makes the book a truly engaging read that leaves the reader with much to ponder.

I kept seeing this classic of the Harlem Renaissance everywhere. It seemed to be constantly catching my eye, as if it was deliberately placed in my path.

I took it as a sign that I should read it. And boy, was I glad I did!

The story is about a woman who passes for white, but there is so much more going on beneath the surface.

There are themes of nonheteronormative attraction, which add a layer of complexity and depth to the characters' relationships.

Marriage is also explored, showing the different expectations and pressures placed on men and women.

The roles of women in society are examined, highlighting the limitations and challenges they face.

Sexuality and desire are portrayed in a raw and honest way, making the reader confront their own assumptions and prejudices.

And finally, parenthood is a central theme, showing the joys and sacrifices that come with raising children.

Overall, this book is a lot deeper than it looks. It is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of race, gender, sexuality, and identity.

This is truly excellent.

The suspense it builds is palpable.

The ambiguity adds an extra layer of intrigue.

Despite being short, it is truly great.

On the second read, it becomes even more evident just how good it is.

The language used is masterful, and the discussions围绕着race, respectability, belonging, and ownership are incredibly accurate, even after 100 years.

The scenes are filled with drama, and yet they are so concise.

Ugh, this is a very, very good book.

It leaves a lasting impression and makes the reader want to delve deeper into its themes and characters.

It is a literary gem that should not be missed.

⭐4.5 stars

I continuously saw the movie adaptation on the best of 2021 movie lists. As a result, I ultimately decided to give the book a read. Just like other reviewers have mentioned, although the world and theme are clearly set in the past, I was also astonished at how modern the writing felt. The exploration of the character's emotions, intentions, and faults is vividly portrayed. To such an extent that I need to postpone watching the movie and let Larsen's words and vision remain in my mind for a while longer.

I read the modern library edition which has excellent footnotes and an introduction by Kaitlyn Greenidge. This edition helped me to understand how the fiction of passing and the lived experience often differed. For example, "I think the reason passing took on a different meaning on the page than it did in lived experience is because passing challenged the biological essentialism at the core of newly developing race theory of the late nineteenth century." Also, "Novels written under those terms could not hold within their imagination the life of a black person who passed without tragic consequence."

And another aspect that sets Passing apart from many other books of the era is that it is "a rare thing in fiction—a black woman who is allowed to feel jealousy, rage, anger, resentment, sexual desire, and still, she’s still alive at the end of the novel, allowed to fully feel her own ambivalence and torment."

artist: loïs mailou jones
title: la baker, 1977