This book is about a woman who decides as an adult that she wants to “pass.” Passing is what a black person, who skin is light enough to be considered white, leave behind everything they know and assimliate into the white community. I find the whole basis of this book to be disturbing and tragic. It is terrible that people back in the 20’s had to do this in order to get ahead in life. It is sad that people had to do stuff like this. I suppose that this book is a sort of eye opener for those of us who knew nothing about this. For example, I had no idea that black people did stuff like this and I had no idea that it was so dangerous to do such a thing.
As a whole I did enjoy this book. In parts it was dry and nothing happened. But then it would pick up and something inspiring or some conflict would arise. I did not however like the ending of the book. Without giving away the ending, I do not like books that are so ambigious. You had to decide for yourself who did what. You never really know what happened. That to me is incomplete, it leaves you with a sense of non closure. This book could have had a little more to it. For example, at the end of the second chapter and the beginning of the third, it is all about an internal conflict with Irene, no action, just talking to herself.
I have enjoyed working with my group very much. I think that the dynamic between us works very well and all of us are willing to take on responsibility. We are all very willing to do what needs to be done in order to be successful in this project. Not to mention that we all seem to be very driven in school work, making it much easier to assign tasks and get the job done.
March 1, 2007 at 11:54 pm
I love working in our group too! HAHA we are all different and get along so good. Not to mention that we actually kind of enjoyed the book for once. I also agree that at times the book was dry but overall I enjoyed it too.
March 2, 2007 at 12:03 am
even though i am not apart of your group, i can definitly agree that i really like working with our groups with actual interesing books to read. My book was also so much better then the novels we have been reading in class.
And wow, i had no idea black people converted over to being white in white communities..that idea is all new to me and strange in a way..and also really sad
March 2, 2007 at 12:04 am
For once it was nice to read a novel that we actually ALL enjoyed! I think that our discussions went very well in which we were all able to give our own opinions about the book. I too, did not know that people actually “passed” in which they hoped to be part of the white community. It was a concept that was very interesting to read about since I had never learned about it before.
March 2, 2007 at 8:02 pm
It’s good to hear that you guys are having success in your groups. I might wanna check out the story, from the way you guys seem interested in your novels.
Keep up the good work, and peace.