When I was casting around to see what books I had on the TBR which would fit for the #1929Club, I was really pleased to discover that “Passing” by Nella Larsen was published that year. It’s been languishing unread for too long, after I picked it up following rapturous praise on a number of blogs I trust; yet somehow the time was never right for it. However, with our club week, it seemed like I was meant to read the book now – and what a powerful and unforgettable one it is!
Nella Larsen was born of mixed heritage, having a Danish mother and father believed to be a mixed-race Afro-Caribbean. She made a career in nursing, but it seems always felt caught between cultures; despite writing two successful novellas she disappeared from the literary scene after a divorce. She returned to nursing for the rest of her life which, on the basis of this novella, is our loss – Larsen really could write.
“Passing” tells the story of two women of mixed heritage – Irene Redfield and Clare Kendry. Both are pale skinned and could pass as white – hence the title – and Clare has chosen to trade on that, marrying a rich white man as a way out of her harsh and impoverished background. Irene, however, has stayed in the world of her upbringing, marrying Brian, a doctor, with whom she has two sons. She seems comfortable in her world, but as the book opens she receives a letter from Clare which takes her back to their encounter two years ago…
Chicago. August. A brilliant day, hot, with a brutal staring sun pouring down rays that were like molten rain. A day on which the very outlines of the buildings shuddered as if in protest at the heat. Quivering lines sprang up from baked pavements and wriggled along the shining car tracks. The automobiles parked at the curbs were a dancing blaze, and the glass of the shopwindows threw out a blinding radiance. Sharp particles of dust rose from the burning sidewalks, stinging the seared or dripping skins of wilting pedestrians. What small breeze there was seemed like the breath of a flame fanned by slow bellows.
In Chicago, the two women accidentally meet, years after their childhood together, growing up in the same neighbourhood. Irene seems calm and self assured, yet she’s wrong-footed by Clare; the latter has an edge, flirting with danger (and, actually, just about everyone she talks to), and the social engagements Irene has with Clare leave her determined she never wants to see her old friend again. For Clare really is playing with fire, as her husband Jack Bellew is an outspoken racist, happily expressing his disgust for anyone of colour, and in the most offensive terms. Frighteningly, he even has the nickname “Nig” for his wife Clare, although he has no idea of her mixed background.
As the story moves into its second section, we discover more of Irene’s life, and it seems that she is living in just as precarious a fashion, although for different reasons. Husband Brian is something of an enigma, itching for a change in life and location, and it takes all Irene’s wiles to control him. Then Clare re-appears – and the effects for all will be devastating…
I won’t say more about the plot because for a novella, “Passing” really packs in so much! Larsen’s writing is excellent and she captures her characters quite brilliantly. The gradual exploration of both women’s characters had me adjusting my view of them both as I went on; each in their different way living in a constructed world which couldn’t last. The tension builds to a dramatic climax, which completely took me by surprise; and the ending, perhaps a little nebulous, certainly left me wondering how the characters would pick up the threads of their lives again.
As well as being a story about race, “Passing” also seems to me to be more widely about the faces we present in public, the image we create of our lives, and the secrets we keep behind closed doors. The racial element is powerful – Bellew’s vile outpourings are crude and offensive; and the tension between white and black environments is something which Irene wants to shelter her children from, with her husband thinking they need to know the realities. In the end, both women are living a kind of lie, albeit different ones, and the collision of their two lives causes havoc.
“Passing” was a memorable book, one I’m glad I finally picked up, and one which will stay with me. Larsen was no doubt writing from experience, coming from that mixed background herself, and there is a strong ring of authenticity to her story. I would like to hope that we’ve moved on from the kind of intolerance shown in the book, but alas I feel that we haven’t. “Passing” is a reminder of where lack of empathy between human beings can lead, as well as a powerful exploration of women’s lives in 1920s America, and it was a brilliant read for the #1929Club!
A Life in Books
Oct 28, 2022 @ 08:19:38
I thought this was an extraordinary novel. I read it when the Serpent’s Tail edition was first published, eight years ago, and it’s styed with me in a way that not many novels do.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 28, 2022 @ 15:15:22
Agree – so much to it, and it does stick in the mind. Very powerful.
Jim Henderson
Oct 28, 2022 @ 09:16:43
Memorable is exactly the word I would use to describe this small gem of a novel. Thanks for your great review of a book that I remember fondly and look forward to rereading.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 28, 2022 @ 15:15:01
It *is* a gem, isn’t it – so layered, and so much to it. I’m looking forward to her other novella too.
Radz Pandit
Oct 28, 2022 @ 10:26:05
Lovely review, Karen! I thought this was a terrific novel, one of my favourites a couple of years ago. As you rightly say, there’s so much packed in the space of a novella. Now, I need to read Quicksand soon.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 28, 2022 @ 15:13:55
It’s great isn’t it? So impactful, and like you I definitely need to get on to Quicksand!
Margot Kinberg
Oct 28, 2022 @ 12:10:16
You know, I think I read Passing, although I hadn’t thought about it for years! Thanks for reminding me of it. As I recall, it really offered a fascinating ‘inside look’ at what it’s like to never completely feel a part of either world, if I can put it that way. I’m so glad you chose to read this one. It brought back good memories.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 28, 2022 @ 15:10:55
Exactly that Margot – the women are caught between two worlds, not fully part of either and both lives are a juggling act, albeit of different kinds. A wonderful book!
#1929Club – your reviews – Stuck in a Book
Oct 28, 2022 @ 13:00:13
Calmgrove
Oct 28, 2022 @ 13:48:16
Soany bloggers seem to have latched on this title for the #1929Club, and apparently with good reason! Another autobiografiction I need to add to my notional list of books to look out for.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 28, 2022 @ 15:10:00
It’s an excellent book, whether it draws on her own life or not. Definitely worth putting on your wishlist!
Liz Dexter
Oct 28, 2022 @ 18:43:52
It’s a great and powerful book, isn’t it. I am glad I read it before “The Vanishing Half” which has a similar theme and obviously riffs off it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 28, 2022 @ 18:49:18
It is – and I’m glad I finally got the push to read it. So powerful!
TravellinPenguin
Oct 29, 2022 @ 01:38:16
This is a book I’ve always wanted to read. Enjoyed the review.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 11:10:33
Thanks Pam! It’s really good and I do recommend it if you can get hold of a copy!
whisperinggums
Oct 29, 2022 @ 02:00:14
I read this earlier this year, and found it a great read too. I like you point that as well as being about race, it’s also “more widely about the faces we present in public, the image we create of our lives, and the secrets we keep behind closed doors”. Good one!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 11:09:34
Thanks! I think it’s reductive to regard it solely as about race as it’s such a rounded book and Larsen was definitely exploring our public and private faces, and also the issues women face.
Brona's Books
Oct 29, 2022 @ 03:04:39
I was so caught up in the #blacklivesmatter element surrounding this book, I forgot/didn’t pay attention the women’s issues also explored in this novella. So thank you for bringing it up. It is actually an important part of the story, as most of the people in this story who could ‘pass’ were women. I’m now wondering if that was how it usually played out, or whether as a woman, Larsen simply wrote about what she knew?
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 11:07:23
Yes. I do think the book was about women’s issues as well as racial ones, and of course there is the double whammy of discrimination which women of colour face. TBH I hadn’t known much about passing before reading the book, but I do wonder if it’s more a female thing? But I would have to research a bit further to be sure.
Emma
Oct 29, 2022 @ 07:02:03
It sounds wonderful and it goes on the wish list immediately.
Thanks for the review.
And….*epiphany* Isn’t there Novella in November right at the corner? 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 11:05:56
Most welcome – I do recommend it! And yes – it would be perfect for November… ;D
JacquiWine
Oct 29, 2022 @ 12:09:02
A great review of a very powerful book. Despite being almost 100 years old, it still feels remarkably modern for its time, almost as though it have been written in the 1950s or ’60s. And you’re right to highlight the breadth of the book’s themes (e.g. your comments about the faces we present in public and the images we create of our lives). We’re all ‘passing’ to some extent, especially in the social media age!
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 12:40:46
Thanks Jacqui! I thought this was such a strong book, and embraced so much more than the aspect of race. It’s still incredibly relevant, particulary in a society with so much focus on the public image!
Julé Cunningham
Oct 29, 2022 @ 14:17:50
Nella Larsen was such a stunning writer and this is certainly a classic. You’ve written beautifully about it and I really like how you’ve brought out the different layers of racism, sexism, and economic disparity. There are perfect touches like Jack’s name of Bellow that resonant throughout. So much packed into a compact book and as you say, all too relevant after all these years.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 29, 2022 @ 18:53:08
Thank you – and yes, so many layers in it, down to the name as you say. She was such a good writer that I really wish she’d written more…
madamebibilophile
Oct 30, 2022 @ 13:38:27
I really hoped to get to this for the 1929 Club but alas I ran out of time! This does sound so powerful and beautifully written, I certainly plan to get to it soon. Great review Kaggsy 🙂
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 30, 2022 @ 13:40:48
Thank you! Sorry you ran out of time, but this one I would really recommend reading, challenge or not – it’s so good!
heavenali
Oct 30, 2022 @ 16:56:19
I have read Passing twice. It’s such a powerful, memorable novella that it is one that has really stayed with me. I enjoyed Quicksand but for me Passing is a small masterpiece. Lovely to be reminded of it.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 30, 2022 @ 18:01:43
It *is* brilliant, isn’t it Ali? I’m looking forward to Quicksand too, even if it isn’t as good!
Max Cairnduff
Oct 31, 2022 @ 14:24:09
I have the same double edition but haven’t yet read it. Clearly though one to bump up the queue as it really does sound very good.
kaggsysbookishramblings
Oct 31, 2022 @ 18:53:53
It is, Max – very powerful and layered, and about more than just the passing of the title.