I had already seen the black and white movie interpretation of this a couple of years back, and I really liked it.

The novella, however, is a bit different. Reading it with Rachael Barnett’s skillful interpretation added a whole new layer of nuances to the story.

It was fascinating to see how the written word could bring out details and emotions that the movie might have missed. Barnett’s ability to bring the characters to life and make the story come alive on the page was truly remarkable.

As I read, I found myself completely immersed in the world of the novella, experiencing the joys and sorrows of the characters along with them. It was a truly captivating read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story.

Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, the novella is definitely worth checking out for its unique perspective and engaging narrative.

I read this book during my college days, and now I'm reading it again for the New York Times Book Club's event scheduled for March 9.

Among the numerous strengths of "Passing," one of the most显著的 aspects is the plethora of questions it poses.

The book delves into complex themes such as identity, race, and gender, leaving readers with much to ponder and discuss.

I'm eagerly anticipating the presentation on this highly significant and influential book.

The event promises to be a thought-provoking and engaging exploration of the novel's ideas and their relevance in today's society.

I'm excited to hear the perspectives of other readers and to gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable work of literature.

I'm beginning to believe, she murmured, that no one is ever completely happy, or free, or safe.

Interestingly, I had expected to like Passing more, but I vastly preferred this novel. It hits a little too close to home. The lonely, bookish girl grows up in the South, moves to Chicago which she likes better, and then moves abroad which she likes best. However, she feels a strange, inevitable pull back to America. She knows she can't live there happily yet also can't quite stay away. She teaches and loves her students but feels empty and craves fine things. Everyone urges her to get married, but she's not in a hurry and falls in love with the wrong people. It's spooky. Nella Larsen has a masterful way of crafting and expressing emotion, and I think that's the element of her work that will remain with me.

"You don't mean that you're going to live over there? Do you really like it so much better?" "Yes and no, to both questions. I was awfully glad to get back, but I wouldn't live here always. I couldn't. I don't think any of us who've lived abroad for any length of time would ever live here altogether again if they could help it... Oh, I don't mean tourists who rush over to Europe and rush all over the continent and rush back to America thinking they know Europe. I mean people who've actually lived there, actually lived among the people" (101).

I was surprised at the closeness of the 2021 film's script to the true dialogue of the book! It definitely gives off The Great Gatsby vibes (which is always a yes from me) yet without a similar sense of endearment or intrigue towards the flawed characters. However, I would love to read/write an essay on Daisy Buchanan and Clare Kendry and this sort of 1920s "voice like money" manic pixie dream girl trope. How does this subtle or not-so-subtle equivocation with wealth relate to seeing women as possessions as well as ideas of whiteness? It's so fascinating. Also, the fact that both characters have a daughter (perpetuating a cycle?) yet wrestle with motherhood: Clare's "I think that being a mother is the cruellest thing in the world." and Daisy's "That's the best thing a girl can be in this world—a beautiful little fool." Now I'm thinking about Sylvia Plath's "Perfection is terrible, it cannot have children." Can you tell that I miss being an English major?

Sitting alone in the quiet living-room in the pleasant fire-light, Irene Redfield wished, for the first time in her life, that she had not been born a Negro. For the first time she suffered and rebelled because she was unable to disregard the burden of race. It was, she cried silently, enough to suffer as a woman, an individual, on one's own account, without having to suffer for the race as well. It was a brutality, and undeserved. Surely, no other people so cursed as Ham's dark children (225).

Nella Larsen, an unjustly forgotten author from the Harlem Renaissance until the 1970's, wrote two short, intense novels: QUICKSAND (1928) and PASSING (1929).

QUICKSAND features Helga Crane, a strong, unconventional and daring heroine with a mixed racial heritage. The illegitimate daughter of a Danish mother and an African American father, she feels isolated and alone. However, some aspects of the plot were unconvincing, such as her sudden religious conversion and marriage to a rural southern preacher she despises. This novel seems unpolished.

PASSING, on the other hand, is a more accomplished work. Irene, an unreliable narrator, is the perfect wife. She lives a comfortable life in Harlem with her husband and two boys. She tells the story of her friend Clare, a beautiful and calculating woman who passes for white and hides her true identity from everyone, including her racist husband. The ending is shocking, ambiguous and well-developed.

Larsen's writing is smart, witty and unpretentious. Her novels explore important issues of race, identity and gender. I highly recommend PASSING for its engaging story and thought-provoking themes.

Overall, I would rate these works 4 stars.

"Quicksand" - 4.25

"Quicksand" was an interesting exploration of life as a mixed-race individual. It felt like a real journey, with full and real characters. The struggle of the protagonist to learn about herself was enthralling. I really liked most of it, although there were some portions that I could have done without.

"Passing" - 3.75 or 4

Arguably her more popular novel, "Passing" was harder for me to get into. It was interesting, but both Clare and Irene were frustrating characters, and it was difficult to root for anyone.

Both novels still hold up today as enjoyable, enlightening reads. They offer unique perspectives on race, identity, and relationships, and are well worth the read. Teehee!

I was really looking forward to delving into the introduction of the book. However, I didn't manage to get past page three.

This was all because of Deborah E. McDowell. She completely ruined it for me. Not only did she give away the ending, but she also went on to discuss it in great detail.

To make matters worse, she compared it with the works of other writers. It was truly disappointing.

Gee, "thanks," Deborah. I really appreciate how you spoiled my reading experience like that. Now I have to wonder if I should even continue with the rest of the book, knowing that the ending has already been revealed.

It's a real shame that such a promising start was spoiled in this way. I hope that in the future, reviewers will be more careful not to give away important plot details and let readers discover the story for themselves.

Passing is truly one of the most remarkable books I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The conflicts within the novel are not only incredibly complex but also masterfully composed. As I delved into its pages, I found myself in the throes of such intense conflict and inner turmoil that it felt as if I could hardly draw a breath.

The language used in the book is simply beautiful, painting vivid pictures in my mind and captivating my senses. The story itself is utterly fascinating, pulling me in from the very first sentence and keeping me hooked until the very end.

The characters are another aspect that makes this book truly outstanding. They are complex, multi-dimensional, and expertly constructed, each with their own unique flaws and virtues.

In every possible way, Passing is an excellent book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and engaging read.

Nella Larson was an author who was once regarded as crazy, a liar, and a plagiarist. In fact, she simply disappeared for a while during her career.

However, her book is extremely insightful. Some people believe that Helga, the protagonist in "Quicksand," is a biography of Larson's own life.

Moreover, the two books are considered a movement, filled with sexual desire and the representation of one's race.

Overall, it is a great read that offers a unique perspective on race, gender, and sexuality during a particular time period. It challenges readers to think about these issues in a new and thought-provoking way.

Larson's work is a testament to the power of literature to explore the human experience and to shed light on the complex social and cultural issues of our time.

Nella Larsen is a remarkable writer who can vividly capture the sense of alienation caused by America's deeply-rooted racism.

She doesn't just focus on the obvious aspects of racial politics in America. Instead, she delves into the more insidious nature of racism.

The prejudices deeply embedded in American society strip African-Americans of their humanity and are linked to the perpetuation of white dominance.

Little things, like the affected condescension Helga experiences in the employment office, chip away at her sense of self until she's grateful for even the most basic acceptance.

Larsen also explores the tedium of constantly viewing everything through the prism of race.

While the ethos behind self-aggrandizement and power regain in the African-American community is good, it risks causing a collective myopia where every life aspect and problem becomes racial.

'Quicksand' tells the story of Helga Crane, an intelligent but morose young woman.

Feeling displaced and alone, she initially accepts and is happy when others try to connect with her, but later reacts with contempt and derision.

What I like about Helga is her flaws. Despite some underlying societal causes, her perpetual pique, self-absorption, and selfishness are traits often seen positively in male anti-heroes but negatively in female characters.

Nella Larsen gives Helga depth and a rich, if often contrarian, emotional life that evokes the reader's sympathy.

'Passing' has a more experimental style, with a narrative bordering on stream-of-consciousness and an ambiguous ending and much of the story.

Larsen can also evoke and recreate the muggy, claustrophobic nature of life in the ghetto, its sense of suffocation and yet freedom, and its febrile atmosphere.

As an acerbic and insightful writer, Nella Larsen blazed a trail for African-Americans to share their experiences.

More importantly, she was a brilliantly talented writer who could recreate the deliriousness of Harlem and the quaint quiescence of Copenhagen, and create flawed but fully-realized and empowered black female characters.

Oh man.

Both of these books were extremely difficult to read, not due to any lack of good writing (in fact, they were well-written), but because they made me seethe with anger.

If you have an interest in delving into two of the ways in which gender and race intertwined for Black American women in the early 20th century, then these books are most definitely worth your time.

In both of these works, Larsen delves deep into the inner lives of relatively affluent black women residing in the North.

Although they are liberated from the clutches of Jim Crow laws, they still find themselves imprisoned within the unyielding boundaries of race and gender.

Both women struggle and fight against these constraints, much like birds trapped in a cage, and it is truly agonizing to witness.

However, the characters are so exquisitely drawn, and the language is so elegant and graceful, that it makes the act of reading a genuine pleasure.

Despite the anger and pain that the subject matter elicits, the beauty of the writing compels the reader to continue turning the pages and explore the complex and often harrowing experiences of these women.

It is a testament to Larsen's skill as a writer that she can evoke such strong emotions while also creating a work of art that is both engaging and thought-provoking.

Quicksand is a very interesting natural phenomenon. It has a rating of 3.5. When people encounter quicksand, it can be quite dangerous.

Passing, on the other hand, is a more common occurrence. It has a rating of 4.5. Passing can refer to many different things, such as passing a test, passing a person on the street, or passing a message.

Both quicksand and passing have their own unique characteristics and significance. Quicksand can teach us about the power of nature and the importance of being cautious. Passing, on the other hand, can help us communicate with others and progress in our lives.

Whether we are dealing with quicksand or passing, it is important to stay calm and make the right decisions. By doing so, we can avoid danger and achieve our goals.

I truly relished both of these tales. However, I was particularly enamored with "Passing." It is truly remarkable that one would never guess that they are almost 100 years old. The writing in "Passing" is masterful and captivating. It has a great pace that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish. Moreover, the character development within a relatively short number of pages is excellent. Each character is vividly brought to life, with their motives and emotions clearly delineated.

On the other hand, "Quicksand" was a bit more sluggish and less engaging. The story seemed to unfold at a slower pace, and it didn't quite have the same hold on my attention as "Passing." This is the reason why I gave it 4 stars. Nevertheless, it is still a worthy read and has its own unique charm. Overall, both stories offer valuable insights into the human condition and are well worth exploring.