The Vanishing HalfThe Vanishing Half
Score Modern
What it's about
The Vignes twins grow up in Mallard, a small Louisiana town of light-skinned Black people. At sixteen they run away together. Years later, one of them, Desiree, has returned to Mallard with a dark-skinned daughter. The other, Stella, is living as a white woman, married to a white man who knows nothing about her past. Then, decades on, their daughters' lives cross.
Why it's worth reading
It hit #1 on the New York Times list and was one of the most talked-about novels of 2020. It's a gripping family story about race, identity and the secrets people keep.
You'll love it if you liked
Americanah
The Help
The Great BelieversGood to know
It spans from the 1950s to the 1990s and jumps between characters. There's domestic violence.
By the numbers
- Readers65 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics25 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller83 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz19 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #31 of the 116 historical novels we rank
- #34 of the 309 literary novels we rank
- #158 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #309 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Moving
If you like this, read next
All the Light We Cannot See
Pachinko
Shuggie Bain
The Nickel Boys
Hamnet
Half of a Yellow SunExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is The Vanishing Half worth reading?
Yes. It hit #1 on the New York Times list and was one of the most talked-about novels of 2020. It ranks #309 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 81.3 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Vanishing Half about?
The Vignes twins grow up in Mallard, a small Louisiana town of light-skinned Black people. At sixteen they run away together. Years later, one of them, Desiree, has returned to Mallard with a dark-skinned daughter. The other, Stella, is living as a white woman, married to a white man who knows nothing about her past. Then, decades on, their daughters' lives cross.
How long does it take to read The Vanishing Half?
About 9 hours (352 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Vanishing Half?
If you liked it, try Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, The Help by Kathryn Stockett or The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai.