In The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett, Stella and Desiree are twins who grow up in such a small town in Louisiana that it isn't even on the map. It is a town built by their great-great-grandfather with the intention of being a harbor for very light skinned black people. The sisters love one another so much, but they can't wait to escape their town. When they run away to New Orleans and try to build a new life for themselves, things end up very differently than they had planned. Desiree is heartbroken when one day her sister doesn't come home. Instead, she has crossed to the other side, passing as white. As their lives diverge, possibly never to be connected again, Desiree tries to go on with her life as best she can while feeling like half of her has vanished.
I really liked this book. It was beautifully written and deeply textured. The loss the sisters feel is so very sad. Their lives end up in very different places and I found it impossible to fault either of them. Life is hard and maybe choosing an easier path is the right thing to do. Maybe it isn't. And maybe different isn't necessarily easier.
This was a wonderful choice for book club and I highly recommend you read it with a group that can really dive in and discuss it.
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