Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsAn Interesting Insight
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2012
Since many people at this point have already read, or know of the plot involved in Passing, I will skip over this and discuss what makes the Norton Critical edition important.
Many books that offer case studies in criticism are inconsistent. These books contain analytical approaches to reading the novel at hand, however, most fail to create a deeper understanding of the novel. On the downside of this volume, none of these approaches stand out; on the upside, there really isn't a weak entry in this book. I have read many of the "Norton Critical Edition" collection, and this is by far one of the best I've read.
Similarly, many of the short stories within this critical edition are interesting and help the reader better understand the novel "Passing". Although they can be avoided altogether, I would recommend reading a few of them for general enjoyment and better understanding of the novel. Some well written examples of short stories within the collection: "The Quadroons" - Lydia Maria Child, "Iola Leroy" - Francis E.W. Harper, "The Father of Desiress's Baby" - Kate Chopin, and "Passing" - Langston Hughes. Most of these short stories are gloomy and disheartening, but then again so is having to "pass" in the first place.
Whether you are a serious fan of Nella Larsen, or like myself a college student looking for a different approach to reading "Passing", there is something for everyone. Through reading this collection of essays, I have learned about several historical accuracies that alter one's perception of the novel "Passing".
This book is broken down into three separate sections. Part one of the book is an introduction, including the novel "Passing". The second part of the book includes backgrounds and contexts (short stories and essays). The third part of this book is the actual criticism section. All three are well worth the time needed to invest in them.
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in Nella Larsen, "Passing" or different analytical approaches to reading this novel. This is honestly one of the best books in the Norton Critical Edition collection.
