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Passing

By Nella Larsen
Series: Macmillan Collector's Library
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Check link for latest rating. ( 85,873 ratings, 9,532 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Set in 1920s Harlem, Passing follows Irene Redfield, who reconnects with Clare Kendry, an old school friend passing as white. As Clare, married to a racist white man unaware of her heritage, re-enters Irene's life, tensions rise between friends and spouses, driving the story toward a gripping and unexpected conclusion. This taut narrative explores themes of racial identity, friendship, and societal pressures.
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Format: Hardback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in historical and literary fiction, particularly those drawn to nuanced examinations of race, identity, and social complexity in early 20th-century America. Also suited to fans of well-crafted, character-driven narratives and culturally significant classics.

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A gorgeous edition of Nella Larsen's powerful classic novel on female racial identity with an introduction by Christa Holm Vogelius.

A gorgeous edition of Nella Larsen's powerful classic novel on female racial identity with an introduction by Christa Holm Vogelius.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

As heard on Radio 4 and seen on Netflix, Nella Larsen's Passing is a distinctive and revealing novel about racial identity.

Part of the Macmillan Collector's Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. This edition of Passing features an introduction by writer and academic, Christa Holm Vogelius.

Irene Redfield, married to a successful physician, enjoys a comfortable life in 1920s Harlem, New York. Reluctantly, she renews her friendship with old school friend, Clare Kendry. Clare, who like Irene is light-skinned, 'passes' as white and is married to a racist white man who has no idea about Clare's racial heritage. Clare is very persuasive and Irene, despite misgivings, can't resist letting her back into her world. As tensions mount between friends and between couples, this taut and mesmerising narrative spins towards an unexpected end.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A compelling exploration of race during the Harlem Renaissance, praised as both a page-turning classic and a revealing cultural study. Jennifer Egan calls it "a fascinating inquiry into the nature of race." Critics highlight its modern relevance and emotional depth, with The New Yorker noting Larsen's skillful storytelling and The Guardian remarking on the complex dynamics of friendship and survival.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529040289

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 25 June 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Macmillan Collector's Library

Contributors:

  • Introduction by Christa Holm Vogelius

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 100.0mm

Height: 157.0mm

Weight: 142g

Pages: 160

Collections

Classic Fiction Classic General Fiction Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Nella Larsen Series: Macmillan Collector's Library

About the Author

Nella Larsen was born in Chicago in 1891 to a white Danish mother and a black West Indian father. She studied in America and Denmark and throughout her writing career she worked as a children's librarian and primarily as a nurse. In 1928 her first novel Quicksand was published to great critical acclaim. Passing was published a year later. Her marriage to Dr Elmer Imes brought her into contact with the upper echelons of New York's black society and she became an important female voice of the Harlem Renaissance. She was the first black woman to receive a Guggenheim Fellowship for creative writing. Divorced in 1933, she spent the rest of her life working as nurse. Nella Larsen died in 1964.

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