Blog 2: Is Blood Thicker than Water?

This past week, we spent time reading our book club novels, mine being titled The Vanishing Half, a story about two twin sisters, although connected by blood, are separated by lifestyle, living two very distinctly different lives. While reading this book, I noticed some complex relationships develop as the story began to unfold, one being between the main protagonists, Desiree and Stella. We see how each of them have their lives separate as a way to claim their individualism. Although both are very similar in various ways, being able to step into each other shoes, they also differ drastically. Desiree is more outgoing and bold, whereas Stella is more calm and controlled. This contrast shows a potentially fulfilling sisterly bond, where both make each other whole. However, as the story progresses, we see how this bond slowly becomes possibly troublesome, as they start to clash and divide the two. Desiree tries to find her way in her own life being separated from her twin, and uses her fingerprint expertise as a way to carve her own individuality. We see this being explored further on as she continues to find herself and her identity. This brings up the question: is blood thicker than water? Are familial bonds more important than anything else -- or is Stella and Desiree forming their own lives okay too?


We are also introduced to Early -- and although we dont see a complex relationship develop yet within him, we can see a seed start to develop of his characteristics. His parent's abandonment shows how he views most things temporary and replaceable. He prefers to move around, and we see a potentially complex relationship develop when he is asked to track down Desiree, where he is forced to confront his previous emotional connection with her in the past. 



Another complex relationship is between the twins and their mother. Starting with Desiree, we can see how she is constantly in disagreement with her mother, always objecting. This continues even as she becomes an adult. Adele does not want Desiree to stay with a dark-skinned man as she claims it will bring her troubles and a life opposite to that of prosperous. However, Desiree shows a degree of independence, showing that she wants to make her own decisions. They are constantly in a state of argument, and this shows how their bond slowly begins to dissipate and crumble. However, we realize that this is also a potential growing point for them to develop as characters.





- Reading Enthusiast,

Prisha

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