The Vanishing Half is a well-written and engaging book, but for me, it didnโt have the depth I expected. The story follows twin sisters whose lives diverge when one chooses to pass as white โ a premise loaded with potential. While themes like colorism, texturism, identity, and deception are present but not explored fully, they felt surface-level and disconnected. These issues were explored, but never fully unpacked or woven deeply into the emotional core of the novel.
The reunion between Stella and Desiree, which should have been charged with the pain of betrayal and the struggle for acceptance, fell flat. It lacked the emotional tension, resentment, or catharsis youโd expect after years of silence and secrets. The moment felt too subdued for what was at stake.
Overall, itโs a good book โ beautifully written in parts โ but it never quite digs into its own story the way I hoped it would. The heaviness of the themes deserved more weight, more confrontation, and more heart.