Join us as we discuss Passing by Nella Larsen!
Irene Redfield is a Black woman living an affluent, comfortable life with her husband and children in the thriving neighborhood of Harlem in the 1920s. When she reconnects with her childhood friend Clare Kendry, who is similarly light-skinned, Irene discovers that Clare has been passing for a white woman after severing ties to her past--even hiding the truth from her racist husband.
Clare finds herself drawn to Irene's sense of ease and security with her Black identity and longs for the community (and, increasingly, the woman) she lost. Irene is both riveted and repulsed by Clare and her dangerous secret, as Clare begins to insert herself--and her deception--into every part of Irene's stable existence. First published in 1929, Larsen's brilliant examination of the various ways in which we all seek to "pass," is as timely as ever.
Mon, Apr 14 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
Tue, Apr 15 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
Wed, Apr 16 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
Thu, Apr 17 | 9:30AM to 7:00PM |
Fri, Apr 18 | 9:30AM to 6:00PM |
Sat, Apr 19 | 9:30AM to 5:00PM |
Sun, Apr 20 | Closed |
(Easter) |
The Eastside Branch is located near the intersection of Man 'o War Boulevard and Palumbo Drive.