Nella Larsen's two short novels offer profound insights into the Black American experience.

In "Quicksand," Helga Crane, a biracial woman, searches for her place in the world. After teaching in the South, she moves between Chicago, Harlem, and Copenhagen.

Her experiences highlight the challenges of identity and belonging. Although her final decision seems unconvincing, Larsen's writing and character portrayals are captivating.

"Passing" tells the story of Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, two light-skinned mixed-race women who have chosen different paths regarding their race.

Irene has embraced her Black identity, while Clare has passed for white. Their relationship is complex, and Larsen uses it to explore issues of racial identity and community.

The dynamic between Irene and Clare is engaging, and Larsen's writing is brilliant. While both novels are worth reading, "Passing" is the stronger of the two.

I would rate "Quicksand" four stars and "Passing" five stars. Overall, Larsen's work is a valuable contribution to the literature of the Black American experience.

I had a great deal of trouble with the old-fashioned writing style. It was rather difficult for me to fully understand and engage with. Additionally, the characters seemed to be kind of fickle, constantly changing their minds and behaviors in a way that made it hard for me to form a deep connection with them. Another aspect that I didn't quite like was the endings. They were really rough and didn't provide the kind of closure or satisfaction that I was hoping for. However, I do think that for the time period in which these works were created, they were really good. They probably had a significant impact on the literary landscape of their era. It's just that, unfortunately, they weren't really to my personal taste.

Not an easy read nor a happy one.

It is truly a challenging and somewhat disheartening piece of literature.

Best not to read the introduction first (why do they always give away the ending?).

The introduction often spoils the surprise, which can be quite frustrating for the readers.

However, it does have its purpose as it helps you understand why Larsen made some of the choices she did.

By delving into the background and context provided in the introduction, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the author's intentions.

We had a great week in class discussing this book.

The discussions were lively and engaging, with students sharing their thoughts and perspectives.

It opened up a lot of students' eyes about the peculiar racism and sexism that mixed-race women have experienced (and continue to).

Through the exploration of the book's themes and characters, we became more aware of the complex issues faced by this marginalized group.

Overall, it was a thought-provoking and enlightening experience.

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A light and yet incredibly intricate novel that throws into question every notion about identity

The title is rather odd, in that it combines two separate short novels. The first one is mediocre, but the second one is brilliant

It is entirely appropriate, because "Passing" is a novel of intellectual quicksand. It is likely to trouble some of your habitual ways of thinking and make you feel you are on slippery ground

This novel challenges the reader to reevaluate their understanding of who they are and how they present themselves to the world

It delves deep into the complex themes of race, gender, and class, and forces the reader to confront their own biases and prejudices

"Passing" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

Quicksand is a very interesting and yet somewhat dangerous phenomenon.

It is often described as a mixture of sand and water that has a unique consistency.

When a person or an object steps into quicksand, it can be difficult to get out.

The ratio of quicksand being 3/5 might refer to the proportion of sand to water or some other characteristic.

On the other hand, passing 4/5 could potentially mean that in a certain situation, 4/5 of something is able to pass through the quicksand or overcome it in some way.

Perhaps it's related to the ability of certain organisms or objects to move through the quicksand more easily than others.

Understanding quicksand and these ratios can help us better appreciate the complexity of nature and the various forces at play.

It also serves as a reminder to be cautious when encountering such phenomena in the wild.

How had I never heard of Nella Larsen? It is truly astonishing.

Her writing is nothing short of gorgeous. The words seem to dance on the page, painting vivid pictures and evoking a wide range of emotions.

It is so incredibly evocative that one can almost feel the characters' pain, joy, and confusion as if they were one's own.

And her heroines, they are heartbreakingly real. They are not just fictional characters but complex individuals with their own dreams, desires, and flaws.

One can't help but empathize with them and root for them throughout their struggles.

I truly wish she had written more. Her talent was undeniable, and it is a shame that we have so few works by her.

Nevertheless, the ones that exist are a testament to her genius and will continue to be cherished by readers for years to come.

Larsen's talent for penning emotions that shift in real-time is truly remarkable. Her skill in capturing realizations as they dawn, thoughts as they occur, and feelings as they are experienced is nothing short of amazing. At first, I found it rather jarring. I wondered why a character's emotions had to change so drastically within just a few lines. However, as I delved deeper, I came to understand that unless it was a stream-of-consciousness style book, I had never encountered anything quite like it.

One of my absolute favorite chapters was the tea party in "Passing." I don't believe I've ever witnessed the state of daze and confusion being so exquisitely translated into words. Larsen writes with a rhythm that syncs with the ebb and flow of her characters' dispositions. And, of course, she employs the elegant and sometimes intriguingly elusive language of the 1920s.

And that is just one of the many reasons why these novellas are so captivating. They are truly beautiful works of literature that deserve to be cherished and studied.

I’ve taught Passing on several occasions, and it is indeed an outstanding novel. It is concise, ambiguous, and can be interpreted in countless ways regarding race, sexuality, and the Harlem Renaissance. The language and the yearning are palpable on every single page.

This is my initial (and likely final) encounter with Quicksand. I have read a substantial amount of criticism about it, yet I was still taken aback by the self-hatred and self-sabotage exhibited by Helga Crane. Helga had a white mother and a Black father who was largely absent from her life. She has felt neglected, impoverished, and discontented throughout her entire existence. We first encounter her teaching at a respected Southern school for Black children. She has a charming apartment and a fiancé, but one day, overcome by boredom and a sense of being trapped, she quits in the middle of a semester. She then travels to Chicago where she has one white relative, but his new wife tells her that her uncle has already given her a significant amount of money and to leave. She resides at a YMCA and halfheartedly attempts to find a job as her funds dwindle. She becomes a companion of a Race Uplift woman, relocates to NYC, and ultimately ends up in a beautiful house on Strivers’ Row. But is she satisfied? After a year or two of attending parties, working in an insurance agency, and having a great time, she is bored once more.

This time, she moves to Denmark to live with her mother’s sister. Her aunt and uncle take care of her, purchase clothes for her, and introduce her into artistic circles. A famous artist paints her and then proposes to her. She decides that she cannot marry someone who isn’t black, so she returns to Harlem for a friend’s wedding. The cycle of having a good time and then feeling bored and depressed repeats yet again. While wandering the streets in a heavy downpour, she enters a revival meeting, gets saved, and decides to marry the preacher.

He preaches in a poor, rural, and all-Black town where she is regarded with suspicion. This time, it is not as easy to escape as she begins having children and despises everything – her husband, religion, and her life.

Larson’s use of color, both in terms of people’s skin color and fabrics, is remarkable. However, Helga is truly a problematic woman.

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Both novels are extremely profound in their meaning.

"Quicksand" is one of the most captivating stories I have come across thus far. It centers around Helga Crane, a mixed-race woman. Due to her race, she has always felt like an outsider among those close to her. When residing in Harlem, she yearns to live in a place where she is not oppressed. However, when she relocates to Copenhagen, a place where everyone truly adores her, she then desires a life among African-Americans.

Just like "Quicksand," "Passing" also explores a highly significant topic. It delves deep into the life of Irene, another mixed-race woman. She has the potential to pass as white, yet she chooses not to. Her old friend, Clare, who is also half black and half white, on the contrary, passes as white. Her black identity is concealed, but as she hides her true self, she begins to feel a sense of loss in her fabricated role. Clare desires a life similar to Irene's and becomes obsessed with her.

Particularly, the concept of "passing" is something that never crossed my mind before. Now, I am truly glad that I have read both books, especially because their impact is tremendous! This is undoubtedly a must-read for every literature enthusiast!

I like this book because it was written by a woman. Lol.

Although this book is classified as Fiction, it presents a rather realistic portrayal of black women in the 20s "Passing" to navigate the world and survive.

I have heard numerous stories within my family of people "Passing" in order to gain admission to certain universities and "Passing" simply to lead a life with less fear as a person of color.

Overall, I found the book to be more engaging and captivating than the movie adaptation. The book allows for a deeper exploration of the characters' thoughts, feelings, and the complex social context in which they exist.

It provides a more nuanced understanding of the experiences of those who had to make the difficult choice to "Pass" during that era.

The movie, while visually appealing, may not have been able to fully capture the depth and richness of the story as presented in the book.

Therefore, I would highly recommend reading the book to truly appreciate the significance and impact of this powerful narrative.