Passing – Nella Larsen

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Chosen by Jodie

Irene Redfield is a black woman living an affluent lifestyle in Harlem. She runs into Clare, an old friend who is “passing” as white and married to a racist. Clare struggles with the disconnection from her community and culture, and Irene struggles with keeping the dangerous secret. This novel was first published in 1929.

It’s funny about ‘passing.’ We disapprove of it and at the same time condone it. It excites our contempt and yet we rather admire it. We shy away from it with an odd kind of revulsion, but we protect it.

● The title “Passing” refers to the practice of passing as a different race, a topic I knew little about. I was fascinated with the concept and incredibly sad that some African Americans of mixed race felt the necessity to pass as white to avoid persecution. Larsen wrote a short novel that was very well done in getting to the core of what she was trying to achieve without the need to overwrite scenes and characters. I was very connected to the story and thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending was brilliantly done! – Jodie

● What a lovely surprise of a novel! I didn’t realise passing was so prevalent in the 1920s and hadn’t realised the true extent of the consequences of it, not only for the person passing but for their friends and family who are in harm’s way keeping the secret. This book details all that with a focused narrative of friendship and rivalry among the socialites, well formed characters and a wonderfully shocking ending. It made me realise how identity and belonging are long-standing struggles. Over time, and still today, people have been moulding their outward appearance and persona in order to fit in or stand out. For a book published 100 years ago there is still so much relevance to today amongst its 116 pages. – Rachel

● A lot of the characters’ deceptions in this novel were sadly necessary to ensure the ability to exist in a deeply racist and bigoted society, however there is certainly deception for more nefarious means as the novel unfolds. Despite being written nearly 100 years ago, many of the themes are still relevant. This is a highly readable and brilliant book. – Suzy

● I was aware of black people passing as white but hadn’t read a lot about it. Passing educated me on the topic and allowed deeper thinking into the intricacies associated with pretending to be someone you’re not in a dangerously prejudiced time. Nella Larson masterfully conveyed complex emotional interactions, especially within our protagonist, and scenes that were easily imagined. The twist at the end was swiftly shocking and satisfying. – Jo

Published 1929
Knopf
141 pages