The Vanishing Half
by Brit Bennett
About this Book
The Vanishing Half tells the story of the Vignes twin sisters, Desiree and Stella, who grow up in a small, southern black community that prides itself on its light-skinned population. In the 1950s, the inseparable sisters run away from home at age sixteen. A decade later, their lives are completely different. Desiree has returned to her hometown with her black daughter, while Stella is secretly passing as white, her own husband and daughter unaware of her past. The novel explores the complexities of identity, race, and family, as the sisters' lives and the lives of their daughters intersect in unexpected ways. It is a powerful and emotional story about the choices we make and the secrets we keep.
Discussion Questions
How does the novel explore the concept of identity, and how do the characters' identities change over time?
What does the town of Mallard represent, and how does it shape the lives of its inhabitants?
Discuss the theme of passing and the different ways it is portrayed in the novel.
How do the choices made by Desiree and Stella affect their daughters, and what do their daughters' lives reveal about the legacy of the past?