Passing - Nella Larsen

Cover ISBN: 9780142437278

Passing by Nella Larsen is a compelling exploration of racial identity and societal expectations, set in the Harlem Renaissance era of the 1920s. The novel follows the lives of two childhood friends, Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry, both of whom are light-skinned African American women capable of "passing" as white. Irene chooses to live within the African American community, while Clare passes as white, even marrying a white man who is unaware of her true racial identity. The narrative delves into the complexities of racial passing, the psychological toll of living a double life, and the broader implications of racial identity in a segregated society. Larsen's nuanced portrayal of these themes makes Passing a seminal work in African American literature.

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ISBNs of note: 9780142437278

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