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Loading... Passing (original 1929; edition 2010)by Nella Larsen
Work InformationPassing by Nella Larsen (1929)
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This is a book I will want to reread when I’m not overwhelmed with teaching and my own school. I rushed through it to get done, some of this short classic dragging along. I was mad Clare didn’t stand up for herself against her husband but also couldn’t imagine being in her shoes. I would never want to hide my history even though I’m so called “passing”. At the beginning of Part 2, when Irene is processing her visit in Chicago with Clare and her husband... I notice that Irene seems more critical of Clare than of the husband. I'm torn between interpreting this as a woman being more judgmental of a woman than of a man... and interpreting it as, "Well, that's what you can expect from a white man. Clare should know better." And she judges herself for standing by Clare and not telling off Clare's bigoted husband. Since this book was originally published in 1929, it's not surprising that the dialogue reminds me of films from the 1930s and 40s. Sometimes I'm picturing it as a black and white film (urgh, no pun intended). Page 72: Women in 18th century France included Bluestockings who hosted literary salons--not just women who fluttered fans and flirted with swains. And who started the French Revolution? Peasant women furious at the outrageous expense of bread. no reviews | add a review
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First published in 1929, Passing is a remarkable exploration of the shifting racial and sexual boundaries in America. Larsen, a premier writer of the Harlem Renaissance, captures the rewards and dangers faced by two negro women who pass for white in a deeply segregated world. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.52Literature English (North America) American fiction 20th Century 1900-1944LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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Aside from the ending, the rest of the novella was taut, well-crafted prose. This author conveys more in her little 99 page novella than Ken Follet does in his 1,000 page sagas.
The film will be released in the US on Nov. 10th. I just hope they don't ruin the story as is so often the case when adapting a story for the screen.
"Did she just....No, surely not. But what about....?" ( )