Passing
Passing by Nella Larsen is a poignant exploration of racial identity and its complexities. Published by Penguin on February 4, 2003, this edition spans 160 pages and is presented in English. The narrative centers on Clare Kendry, a light-skinned woman who chooses to pass as white, marrying a racist white man while severing ties with her African American roots. Her childhood friend, Irene Redfield, also light-skinned, remains within the African American community and grapples with her feelings toward Clare’s risky decision to embrace a different identity.
Readers will find a rich examination of themes related to race and identity as Clare’s longing for her past intertwines with her present choices. The story delves into the societal pressures and personal conflicts that arise from Clare’s decision to pass, highlighting the tragic implications of her actions. This edition includes a new introduction by Emily Bernard and notes by Thadious M. Davis, providing additional context for the narrative. As a significant work within the realms of fiction and historical literature, Passing continues to resonate with contemporary discussions on race and identity.
Official synopsis Publisher
A NETFLIX BOOK CLUB PICK
Nella Larsen’s powerful, thrilling, and tragic tale about the fluidity of racial identity that continues to resonate today. A New York Times Editors’ Choice. Now a major motion picture starring Tessa Thompson and Alexander Skarsgård
One of The Atlantic’s Great American Novels of the Past 100 Years
Clare Kendry is living on the edge. Light-skinned, elegant, and ambitious, she is married to a racist white man unaware of her African American heritage, and has severed all ties to her past after deciding to “pass” as a white woman. Clare’s childhood friend, Irene Redfield, just as light-skinned, has chosen to remain within the African American community, and is simultaneously allured and repelled by Clare’s risky decision to engage in racial masquerade for personal and societal gain. After frequenting African American-centric gatherings together in Harlem, Clare’s interest in Irene turns into a longing for Irene’s black identity that she abandoned and can never embrace again, and she is forced to grapple with her decision to pass for white in a way that is both tragic and telling. This edition features a new introduction by Emily Bernard and notes by Thadious M. Davis.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.
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