Passing
4
(102)
Nella Larsen
General Press
Generally regarded as Nella Larsen's best work, Passing was first published in 1929 but has received a lot of renewed attention because of its close examination of racial and sexual ambiguities. It has achieved canonical status in many American universities.Clare Kendry is living on the edge. Light-skinned, elegant, and ambitious, she is married to a racist white man unaware of her African American heritage, and has severed all ties to her past after deciding to ‘pass’ as a white woman. Clare’s childhood friend, Irene Redfield, just as light-skinned, has chosen to remain within the African American community, and is simultaneously allured and repelled by Clare’s risky decision to engage in racial masquerade for personal and societal gain. After frequenting African American-centric gatherings together in Harlem, Clare's interest in Irene turns into a homoerotic longing for Irene's black identity that she abandoned and can never embrace again, and she is forced to grapple with her decision to pass for white in a way that is both tragic and telling.
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"I actually enjoyed this book although many didn’t really like it when we read it in class. I thought it brought interesting commentary about racial issues during the 20s and also the effects of racism and what it might push people to do."
Audrey Pigott
"This book was given by a neighbor of mine to read. she read it for a book club. This was so triggering for me being light of color, latina and my mother darker then me. Me having to always told who I was and was not because of my last name or color of my skin but nothing like this...wow.. just wow. The best part of me was the ending. Many disliked the film that recently came out but I enjoyed seeing someone else idea."
Dalila Lala
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