? UNDER THE LAMPLIGHT-

The Vanishing Half is a conversation of race, family, and belonging. Author Brit Bennett writes about identical twin sisters who grew up in a predominantly black community in the south, but ran away at the age of 16. Later in their lives, one returns while the other, who passes as a white person, stays away and tries to disconnect from her past. But no matter how far apart they are, they will always be connected.

Intergenerational ties: The story explores the family across decades and their connections to the South and racial dynamics. It touches on how your upbringing impacts how you carry yourself throughout life, and how different people can experience different things even under the same circumstances. All of this is brought to light when their offspring cross paths and the twins must reconcile their differences and forked paths in life.

Not just about race: While the book does a lot to acknowledge the role of race in the twins’ lives, the story goes beyond to talk about identity and why you might choose to reject it. At the same time, family is at the top of the conversation and how they will always be connected by those who came before them and those who come after.

You can find the book in Diwan, Bibliothek, Virgin Megastores, and on Amazon.

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