Discover books similar to "Passing"

Nella Larsen

Passing

3.85

"Passing" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel written by Nella Larsen, first published in 1929. The story revolves around two African-American women, Clare Kendry and Irene Redfield, who are able to "pass" as white due to their light skin. The novel explores the themes of race, identity, class, and gender, as well as the psychological impact of passing on both the individual and the community. Clare, who has been passing as white for several years, reconnects with her childhood friend Irene, who lives in Harlem and identifies as African-American. Clare's decision to re-enter the African-American community and her motivations for passing are complex and multifaceted, and the novel raises important questions about the costs and benefits of assimilation. Larsen's writing is sharp, incisive, and deeply insightful, providing a nuanced portrayal of the characters and their struggles. The novel is also notable for its exploration of the intersectionality of race, gender, and class, and the ways in which these factors can shape an individual's identity and experiences. "Passing" is a significant work of literature that offers a powerful critique of racism and the social structures that perpetuate it. It is a novel that encourages readers to examine their own assumptions about race and identity, and to consider the complex ways in which these factors intersect and shape our lives. Overall, "Passing" is a compelling and thought-provoking novel that is well worth reading. It is a work that continues to resonate with readers today, and that offers important insights into the ongoing struggle for racial justice and equality...

List of books similar to "Passing":

Zora Neale Hurston

Their Eyes Were Watching God

This novel by Harlem Renaissance writer Zora Neale Hurston tells the story of Janie Crawford, a young black woman who searches for her identity and independence in early 20th century Florida. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, gender, and identity in the context of the African American experience.

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Nella Larsen

Quicksand

This is Nella Larsen's other novel, which like 'Passing', explores themes of race, identity, and class. The protagonist, Helga Crane, is a biracial woman who struggles to find her place in society and is torn between her black and white heritage.

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Toni Morrison

The Bluest Eye

This novel by Nobel laureate Toni Morrison tells the story of Pecola Breedlove, a young black girl who longs for blue eyes, which she believes will make her beautiful and loved. The novel explores themes of race, beauty, and self-worth, and like 'Passing', it challenges societal norms and expectations.

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Ralph Ellison

Invisible Man

This novel tells the story of an unnamed African American protagonist who struggles to find his identity and place in society. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, identity, and invisibility, and it challenges the reader to confront their own assumptions and biases.

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Alice Walker

The Color Purple

This novel tells the story of Celie, a young black woman who faces abuse and discrimination in rural Georgia during the early 20th century. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, gender, and identity, and it highlights the resilience and strength of the human spirit.

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James Baldwin

Go Tell It on the Mountain

This novel tells the story of John Grimes, a young black teenager growing up in Harlem during the 1930s. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, religion, and identity, and it challenges the reader to confront their own assumptions and biases.

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Richard Wright

Native Son

This novel tells the story of Bigger Thomas, a young black man who lives in poverty in Chicago during the 1930s. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, class, and identity, and it challenges the reader to confront the systemic inequalities that shape the lives of marginalized communities.

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Jean Toomer

Cane

This novel is a series of interconnected stories, poems, and sketches that explore the lives of African Americans in the rural South and urban North during the early 20th century. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, identity, and place, and it challenges the reader to confront the complexities of the African American experience.

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Toni Morrison

Beloved

This novel tells the story of Sethe, a former slave who is haunted by the ghost of her daughter whom she killed to save from slavery. Like 'Passing', this book explores themes of race, identity, and memory, and it challenges the reader to confront the legacy of slavery and its impact on contemporary society.

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James Weldon Johnson

The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man

This novel tells the story of an unnamed protagonist who is born to a black mother and white father and who passes as white in order to achieve success in

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