Passing
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Nella Larsen's novels open up a whole world of experience and struggle that seemed to me, when I first read them years ago, absolutely absorbing, fascinating, and indispensable.--Alice Walker Nella Larsen offers characters so honest and desperate to be whole that we cannot help but champion their humanity. --From Ntozake Shange's Introduction From the Hardcover edition
Product Description
First published to critical acclaim in 1929, Passing firmly established Nella Larsen's prominence among women writers of the Harlem Renaissance. The Modern Library is proud to present Passing an electrifying story of two women who cross the color line in 1920s New York together with a new Introduction by the Obie Award- winning playwright and novelist Ntozake Shange. Irene Redfield, the novel's protagonist, is a woman with an enviable life. She and her husband, Brian, a prominent physician, share a comfortable Harlem town house with their sons. Her work arranging charity balls that gather Harlem's elite creates a sense of purpose and respectability for Irene. But her hold on this world begins to slip the day she encounters Clare Kendry, a childhood friend with whom she had lost touch. Clare light-skinned, beautiful, and charming tells Irene how, after her father's death, she left behind the black neighborhood of her adolescence and began passing for white, hiding her true identity from everyone, including her racist husband. As Clare begins inserting herself into Irene's life, Irene is thrown into a panic, terrified of the consequences of Clare's dangerous behavior. And when Clare witnesses the vibrancy and energy of the community she left behind, her burning desire to come back threatens to shatter her careful deception. The Modern Library prides itself as ''The modern Library of the world s Best Books'' . Since 1917 its paperback series has featured treasured classics, major translations of great works, and rediscoveries of keen literary and historical merit. Featuring introductions by leading writers, stunning translations, scholarly endnotes and reading group guides. Production values emphasize superior quality and readability. Competitive prices, coupled with exciting cover design make these an ideal gift to be cherished by the avid reader.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Passing, written by African American author Nella Larsen during the 1920's is an often overlooked novel that explores not only racial tensions between Blacks and Whites in that period, and the problems solely within the African American community, but also more deeply examines the relationship of two women best friends reunited after many years. Larsen, in this novel laid the groundwork for many later African American women writers with her exploration of the relationship between two intelligent black women, virtually unprecedented in the white male dominated literature world of the early 20th century.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
A novel about a black woman "passing" for white in 1920s Chicago and New York summons up all kinds of expectations. These were both disappointed and surpassed. This is a novel of great psychological depth about an encounter between two women - one satisfied with her life, the other a "having" type who lives on the edge and will make whatever personal sacrifices (and sacrifices of others) to get what she wants. We gradually watch their encounter develop over many months and episodes. The final turn of the plot and the last page or two of this novel lack conviction. That apart, this is utterly compelling as the great 19th century novels of character and plot.
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Its a story that is relevant and fascinating even today. A black woman who can pass for white. She makes the decision to live as a white woman but she hankers for he black roots. The emphasis placed on colour still exists in 2012. To be born dark skinned in my view is a blessing. I have never had to think about passing myself off as anything other than a black woman. I felt great sympathy for the character who was so concerned that she might have a dark child that she refused to haver anymore children. She counted herself lucky that her daughter did not come out with any characteristics that would betray her black heritage. What an unhappy life.
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