The Vanishing Half

Brit Bennett

Recommendation inspired by:
You could have a secret twin (but not the way you think) - Kayla Mandel Sheets

Why we love this book:

"How did I become me and you become you?" This question of identity is at the core of Brit Bennett's acclaimed The Vanishing Half. Spanning multiple decades, the story focuses on identical twins, Stella and Desiree, who have run away from their small town in Louisiana. As the twins go their separate ways, one returning to the town she once fled and the other passing for white, they're forced to grapple with the unintended consequences of their decisions — especially as their daughters' lives begin to overlap. Bennett's novel will keep you turning the pages not just to find out what happens, but to find out who these characters are, what makes them tick, and ultimately, where they will end up. This complex and layered story is for anyone questioning their past, who they want to be, and their place in the world.

Recommended by:
Lauren McAlpine, TED-Ed Team

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