Clare Kendry has severed all ties to her past. Elegant, fair-skinned and ambitious, she is married to a white man who is unaware of her African-American heritage. When she renews her acquaintance with her childhood friend Irene, who has not hidden her origins, both women are forced to reassess their marriages, the lies they have told - and to confront the secret fears they have buried within themselves. Nella Larsen's intense, taut and psychologically nuanced portrayal of lives and identities dangerously colliding established her as a leading writer of America's Harlem Renaissance. The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.
Nella Larsen
Nella Larsen was an American novelist and nurse, known for her exploration of race, class, and gender in early 20th-century America. Her most notable works include "Quicksand" (1928) and "Passing" (1929), which examine the complexities of racial identity and passing as white.
Larsen's writing style is characterized by its psychological depth, nuanced characterizations, and exploration of themes related to identity and societal expectations. She was one of the key figures of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated African American art and literature in the 1920s and 1930s.
Larsen's impact on literature lies in her groundbreaking exploration of race and identity, particularly in the context of mixed-race individuals navigating society's expectations and prejudices. "Passing" remains her most famous work, a compelling exploration of racial passing and its consequences. Larsen's work continues to be studied and celebrated for its contribution to African American literature and its nuanced portrayal of complex social issues.
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