Books like Passing by Nella Larsen


First published to critical acclaim in 1929, *Passing* solidified Nella Larsen’s place among the Harlem Renaissance’s prominent women writers. The story centers on Irene Redfield, a well‑established Harlem household and charity organizer, whose composed life is upended upon reuniting with Clare Kendry. Clare, a former childhood friend, now presents herself as white, having left her African‑American upbringing to escape racism. Clare’s return invites Irene to confront unsettling feelings about race, identity, and loyalty. The novel confronts themes of racial passing, self‑identity, and the fragile façade of trust within intimate relationships.
First publish date: 1929
Genre: Literary Fiction/Classic Literature
Authors: Nella Larsen
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4.2 (9 community ratings)

Passing by Nella Larsen

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