Brit Bennett's novel 'The Vanishing Half' explores themes of identity, colorism, and class

brit bennett
Brit Bennett is the author of the 2020 novel "The Vanishing Half." (Photo courtesy of Emma Trim)

When Brit Bennett’s novel “The Vanishing Half” was published two years ago, it became an immediate bestseller and was included in the New York Times’ “Best Books of 2020.” The story of twin sisters from a small Louisiana town explores themes of identity, colorism and class. The novel is available in paperback now, and its author joined “City Lights” host Lois Reitzes via Zoom to share a glimpse into her novel’s world of ever-shifting structures of selfhood.

Interview highlights:

How colorism brings turbulence to a small town: