Brit Bennett depicts an extremely powerful story of two twin sisters growing up in the southern town of Mallard, where people with darker complexions were degraded and being light skinned was an obsession. In this novel, characters battle with self-acceptance, identity, and making choices that will define them. The book follows the twin sisters as they run away to New Orleans vastly taking their own paths, while creating a life full of lies. Desiree Vignes eventually returns to her hometown with her dark-skinned daughter after suffering an abusive relationship. In the midst of the town’s prejudices, she’s able to embrace her roots. In contrast, Stella Vignes builds a life of deception, passing as a white woman, avoiding her heritage, and burying her past. Her decision allows her to live a privileged existence but at the cost of living in fear of having her secret revealed. As their lives unfold, readers discover the profound effects of colorism, generational trauma, and the sense of belonging, making the novel intriguing and thought provoking.
The cover of the book grabbed my attention first. The way in which the author abstractly illustrates the sister’s faces overlapping and intertwining made me think of complexity: what is this picture saying? The novel is filled with important concepts but also has enough drama and relatable experiences that kept me engaged as the reader. I would highly recommend this book.
