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Passing (Penguin Classics)

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Passing (Penguin Classics) Cover

ISBN13: 9780142437278
ISBN10: 0142437271
Condition: Underlined
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Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Clare Kendry leads a dangerous life. Fair, elegant, and ambitious, she is married to a white man unaware of her African American heritage, and has severed all ties to her past. Clare’s childhood friend, Irene Redfield, just as light-skinned, has chosen to remain within the African American community, but refuses to acknowledge the racism that continues to constrict her family’s happiness. A chance encounter forces both women to confront the lies they have told others—and the secret fears they have buried within themselves.

First published in 1929, Passing is a remarkably candid exploration of shifting racial and sexual boundaries.

Synopsis:

The landmark novel about the cultural meaning of race, first published in 1929, is a remarkably candid exploration of shifting racial and sexual boundaries which tells the story of an two African-American woman who must confront lies and secret fears.

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About the Author

Nella Larsen (1891-1964) was the author of two novels and several short stories. She received a Guggenheim fellowship to write a third novel in 1930 but, unable to find a publisher for it, she disappeared from the literary scene and worked as a nurse.

Thadious M. Davis is G. C. Vanderbilt Professor of English at Vanderbilt University, the author of an acclaimed biography of Nella Larsen, and the editor of Larsens Quicksand for Penguin Classics.

Thadious M. Davis is G. C. Vanderbilt Professor of English at Vanderbilt University, the author of an acclaimed biography of Nella Larsen, and the editor of Larsens Quicksand for Penguin Classics.

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Suggestions for Further Reading

A Note on the Text 

Part One: Encounter 

Part Two: Re-Encounter 

Part Three: Finale

Explanatory Notes

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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 1 comment:
Lisa Brown, July 9, 2012 (view all comments by Lisa Brown)
Like Orwell's Animal Farm, this stands as a novella that could single-handedly justify and serve to reify the form. Sure, there's something to be said for the Great American Novel of 400, 700, 1,000-plus pages, but this slim little volume proves that stories clocking in well under 150 pages can still be just as great. Larsen's understanding of domestic conflict is as subtle and layered as her portrayal of race relations, lending her story a certain degree of nuance that seems lacking in Invisible Man or Beloved, in my opinion anyway. Definitely worthy of a required reading list or two.
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Product Details

ISBN:
9780142437278
Editor:
Davis, Thadious M.
Author:
Davis, Thadious M.
Author:
Larsen, Nella
Publisher:
Penguin Books
Location:
New York
Subject:
Classics
Subject:
New york (n.y.)
Subject:
Race relations
Subject:
Psychological fiction
Subject:
New York
Subject:
Passing
Subject:
African-American women
Subject:
General Fiction
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
2003
Edition Description:
Trade Paper
Series:
Penguin Classics
Series Volume:
PNW-58
Publication Date:
20030231
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
from 12
Language:
English
Pages:
160
Dimensions:
7.72x5.10x.39 in. .28 lbs.
Age Level:
from 18
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z

Passing (Penguin Classics) Used Trade Paper
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Product details 160 pages Penguin Books - English 9780142437278 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , The landmark novel about the cultural meaning of race, first published in 1929, is a remarkably candid exploration of shifting racial and sexual boundaries which tells the story of an two African-American woman who must confront lies and secret fears.

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