Passing by Nella Larsen was published in 1929 and was one of only two books by this American author. It is the story of two childhood friends who meet up again by chance in Chicago. Both are light-skinned African-American women who can pass for white. Clare Kendry continues to live in Chicago and has married a white man who does not know that she has Negro blood. The couple have a daughter. Irene Redfield is married to a black doctor; they live in Harlem with their two young boys. Later, Clare wants to continue her friendship with Irene, and Irene resists.
Both women are interesting people, but the novel focuses on Irene's life, her reactions to Clare, and how the continuation of their friendship affects both of their lives. The story was different and for me it was an eye-opening picture of the black community in Harlem in the 1920's.
The crime fiction novels I read were:- The Case of the Restless Redhead by Erle Stanley Gardner
- See Also Deception by Larry D. Sweazy
- From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming
- A Lonely Place to Die by Wessel Ebersohn
August was a lovely month of reading. There was not a bad (or even mediocre) book in the bunch. There were two crime fiction books I rated my favorites for the month...
I absolutely loved From Russia With Love. The movie has always been a favorite and the book is a lot like the movie, but even better.
See Also Deception was the 2nd book in a great series by Sweazy. It has two big pluses for me: a strong woman in the lead role and an interesting setting in time and place (1960's North Dakota).
On this 3rd day of September, I am in the middle of a short story anthology, Grifters & Swindlers edited by Cynthia Manson. And also reading another book from my Classics List, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham.
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