Welcome to Litsy!

Sadly as telling now as it was when first published in 1929. Nella Larsen‘s own life as a mixed-race woman informed her writing, making her an important part of the Harlem Renaissance. American author Darryl Pinckney wrote of Larsen: “No matter what situation Larsen found herself in, racial irony of one kind or another invariably wrapped itself around her.”

Found this one on BookTok and already a quarter of the way through it.

(Also had to convert up the Netflix logo because you know they are gonna ruin this book.)

Man, this slim little book sure packs in a lot of story. It's interesting how Irene and Clare are almost two sides of the same coin, and how that interplay affects the action at the end. I see why this one has lasted! #classics

I went into this thinking that it was from the POV of the woman passing, so it took me a minute to adjust to it being told from the woman's childhood friend - which I think is a much more interesting POV. It is a short but impactful book, and that ending! I was not prepared.

#2023Book60
This novel is pretty short, but it definitely packs a punch. And despite having been written almost 100 years ago, the issues still remain painfully relevant today.

4/5 🌟

I can't believe this book was written in the 1920s! Felt so modern, this is a timeless classic! Loved the ending.

Book club choice, which is great because I wouldn‘t read this otherwise. The prose was clearly from the decade it was written in. The story started slowly but was so intense and interesting at the end. The characters are nuanced and drawn in an way that seems unexpected but welcome for the eta.

From last week #WondrousWednesday @Eggs

😺Love on the Brain
😻Passing-This one was the one that impacted me more but I enjoyed others. August was a good reading month in general
😻Prague; Paris; Berlin but I have not traveled much🤷🏽‍♀️

Thank you @Kdgordon88 and @kspenmoll for the tag 🥰❤️❤️

It describes what was happening in 1920‘s with interracial relations, society integration and genre position. After Clare ‘s father died, she moved with some relatives, and passed as a white woman hiding her childhood living in poverty in a dysfunctional home. She married for ambition with white man that “hates” black people not knowing that Clare had black heritage. Clare will reunite with an old childhood friend, Irene.⬇️

Was looking forward to pick this up as I had heard about it about 2 years ago. A short classic that is worth the read to understand the push and pull of passing as white.
#roll100
#1929
#192025

#bookmoods #lies
I haven't done a phot challenge for some time so here goes and I'll try and keep up.
Looking back on my reads over the last year this one stands out as a book with a lie at the centre. This was a remarkable book which led to a great reading group discussion and I must look out for the recent film adaptation.

Wow. This is short but powerful. Set during the Harlem Renaissance, it follows the aftermath of a chance encounter between two childhood friends—Black women originally from Chicago, one of whom is now passing as white. The emotional & psychological intensity packed into this brief novella is thought-provoking & compelling. So glad this was on my #NewYearWhoDis list from @Blaire ! This was my February #DoubleSpin (took me long enough to get to it!)

Finally finished this. It didn‘t take so long because of the story or writing those are both really good, I‘ve been having reading issues.
Tackles topics of race, prejudice, misconceptions, preconceived notions, and personal choices. Taking place mostly in 1920s-30s Harlem. Two childhood friends reunite after a chance encounter. Both women of color with skin light enough to let them “pass” in society as white women.
The end surprised me.

Jeannine! Your box of goodies actually brought tears to my eyes. I am so excited for all the books especially the Woodson (I love love love her) and Passing which I‘ve wanted to read forever. And all the goodies are wonderful but the mug and the pins are everything. It was like receiving hope in a box which sounds silly, I guess, but I needed it with what is happening today. Thank you for your thoughtful selections!

This is a powerful story of race and jealousy. It's hard to review without giving away the plot the author packed so much into such a short story. It's one I'll be thinking about for awhile. It's now on Netflix. #Booked2022 #AdaptedForTheSmallScreen @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft @BarbaraTheBibliophage

Heavy stuff for such a tiny book! A must-read.

My #bookspin for February 😄

Lunch with a view 🌳

Have had this one on my kindle for a while and finally picking it up before watching the recent movie. Completely blown away. Fantabulous ending!!!!

This slim novella packs quite a punch! Clare is passing for white while married to a racist husband. She recognizes former classmate Irene, who is able to pass but has married a Black man. Clare regrets her choice and insinuates herself deeper into Irene‘s life. While the subject isn‘t modern, the writing style and suspense is ahead of its time. Excellent!

Another great #NYWD22 choice from @vivastory ! Epic match for sure @monalyisha !

This slim novella packs a full weighty punch. Written in 1929, Larsen deftly pens a dark story of two childhood friends who re-connect after a 12 year absence. It was completely gripping and tinged with genuine tension. I can‘t wait to watch the Netflix adaptation. Great suggestion from @MallenNC #NYWD list and my #Booked2022 #SmallScreenAdaptation

It‘s calling to me!! #NYWD @MallenNC @monalyisha @Megabooks

So finally getting to my first new book of the year. Maybe I‘ll be able to focus and concentrate enough to actually finish it. I haven‘t been able to stay focused enough to finish anything. I‘ve let my Libby borrows expire and the physical book just sits by my bed, I haven‘t even looked at the ebook in a while. I‘ll get back to it eventually.

Nella Larsen was a nurse, librarian, author and a member of the Harlem Renaissance.This book, written in 1929, is an elegant, gripping tragedy. Fascinating characters. I had an unsettling feeling throughout my reading. Glad to see that her talent is being rediscovered. A talented and amazing woman. I am looking forward to reading more of her work. #booked2022 #adaptedforthesmallscreen

New audiobook. Book Club choice. Meeting tomorrow, but unfortunately I will miss the meeting.

Continuing my “read before watching” project. Holy moly, how did Larsen pack so many punches into such a slim novella? This one will stick with me for a very long time.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️• Read before watching the Netflix movie. I liked it and wish books like this were read in high school English classes.

A book that will make you think about what “race” actually means. I loved the writing, liked Irene, and loathed Clare. A slow boil, but when it comes to it, it boils over quickly! Now I can check out the movie.

It‘s Lit Book Club‘s reading selection was Nella Larson‘s Passing. We not only read the book but also did a group viewing of the Netflix movie. A great discussion as always!!

Found my next Netflix series and my next library request!
#page2screen

Great novel adapted for screen. 🤞🏾🤞🏾🤞🏾I think I need to reread first though because it‘s been a long time. I do remember it being so well written!

I was prompted to read/listen to this novella by the recent film release. I‘d also heard so many good things about it when I read The Vanishing Half. It‘s much darker and more suspenseful than TVH, really quite sinister.

Set in 1929 Harlem it follows a short period in the life of Irene Redfield when her childhood friend, who is passing as white, reappears. Clearly it‘s an insightful commentary on race, but also on marriage and relationships.

Anyone else looking forward to the new #netflixbookclub on the 16th #November21 with Uzo Aduba?! I‘m looking forward to learning more in the #buthaveyoureadthebook series #booktomovie #bookstomovies #bookstotv #booktotv

A beautifully written and elegant short novel about race, belonging, identity, and exclusion. How did you interpret the ending?

4.5 ⭐️

I can‘t wait to see the movie adaptation of this book. It‘s short, but a lot happens including an ending that‘s left up to the reader‘s interpretation.

It‘s Lit! VIRTUAL BOOK CLUB

Our next #ItsLit VBC meeting will be a discussion + watch party for the upcoming Netflix film. (Film trailer: https://www.amazon.com/Passing-Nella-Larsen/dp/1614270007/ref=nodl_)

Meeting scheduled for Nov 19th 5:30pm PT/ 8:30pm ET via Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87176299528?pwd=TmNwSXJtbFBIWXNldFI4NWh2TzFTdz09

Anything starring Ruth Negga and Tessa Thompson is going to catch my attention, I think they are both brilliant actors. So I decided to read the book their new movie is based on.
*Sigh*
I'm half way and I am both hugely excited to continue reading this masterpiece and utterly disappointed that I had never heard of it. Hope the movie kicks publishing up the arse Nella Larsen deserves to be shelved with the giants of 20th century literature.

Maybe you all saw the trailer for the film that's been made of this book? If not, take a peek. https://youtu.be/trwq3CNCMkU

My IRL are doing this with 'the vanishing half'. Set in 20's harlem a chance meeting of two women, childhood friends, in a high class hotel's coffee lounge where both are passing as white leads to Irene drawn back into charismatic clares Web even though clare is married to an evident racist but Irene a black man.
A story of race but more compelling the pressures in a marriage that can explode quickly with dramatic results. A very remarkable book.

My first real dive into reading Harlem Renaissance literature and I‘m here for it. Passing is a brief, thoughtful novella that asks some big questions about our attitudes to race, our assumptions about the people around us, and the way these things drive our social behaviours. It‘s challenging and devastating in all the right places. Thematically, Passing is echoed strongly by Brit Bennet in The Vanishing Half- a great companion read.

When The Vanishing Half wasn‘t one of my top reads last year, I felt left out! It made me want to try more takes on the central topic; this one was just my speed. I love a short book, and Passing, a 1929 work out of the Harlem Renaissance, packs a wallop for its slim size. A complex drama about the reunion of two childhood acquaintances whose lives have diverged across “the color line”, it also explores anxieties of marriage & class. #DoubleSpin

This was fantastic and a perfect book club pick - our discussion was lively!

I finished this slim classic this morning with my bowl of Cheerios and fresh blueberries picked from the bushes in my mom‘s yard. I‘m sure I won‘t be able to bring any further insights on this book, as many others have already reviewed it eloquently. I do see the ways The Vanishing Half mirrored Passing. Race is the biggest theme but also gender and position in society are largely explored. I liked it but I‘m also glad it was very short, lol.

Insecure people hurt people (hurt people hurt people) ... Also, a reminder about choosing friends wisely. And so many other things to discuss.