Quicksand and Passing

By Deborah E. McDowell, Nella Larsen | Publisher: Rutgers University Press

About the book

\"Quicksand and Passing are novels I will never forget. They open up a whole world of experience and struggle that seemed to me, when I first read them years  ago, absolutely absorbing, fascinating, and indispensable.\" —Alice Walker

\"A tantalizing mix of moral fable and sensuous colorful narrative, exploring female sexuality and racial solidarity.\"—Women's Studies International Forum

Rutgers' all-time bestselling book, Nella Larsen's novels Quicksand (1928) and Passing (1929) document the historical realities of Harlem in the 1920s and shed a bright light on the social world of the black bourgeoisie. The novels' greatest appeal and achievement, however, is not sociological, but psychological. As noted in the editor's comprehensive introduction, Larsen takes the theme of psychic dualism, so popular in Harlem Renaissance fiction, to a higher and more complex level, displaying a sophisticated understanding and penetrating analysis of black female psychology.

Passing is now a major motion picture written, produced, and directed by Rebecca Hall. It premiered at Sundance in 2021 and is available on Netflix.

Editions of Quicksand and Passing

Hardcover
ISBN 9780813511696
EBook
ISBN 9781978832695
PDF
ISBN 9780813558097

Read an Excerpt

\"Quicksand and Passing are novels I will never forget. They open up a whole world of experience and struggle that seemed to me, when I first read them years  ago, absolutely absorbing, fascinating, and indispensable.\" —Alice Walker

\"A tantalizing mix of moral fable and sensuous colorful narrative, exploring female sexuality and racial solidarity.\"—Women's Studies International Forum

Rutgers' all-time bestselling book, Nella Larsen's novels Quicksand (1928) and Passing (1929) document the historical realities of Harlem in the 1920s and shed a bright light on the social world of the black bourgeoisie. The novels' greatest appeal and achievement, however, is not sociological, but psychological. As noted in the editor's comprehensive introduction, Larsen takes the theme of psychic dualism, so popular in Harlem Renaissance fiction, to a higher and more complex level, displaying a sophisticated understanding and penetrating analysis of black female psychology.

Passing is now a major motion picture written, produced, and directed by Rebecca Hall. It premiered at Sundance in 2021 and is available on Netflix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Quicksand and Passing about?

\"Quicksand and Passing are novels I will never forget. They open up a whole world of experience and struggle that seemed to me, when I first read them years  ago, absolutely absorbing, fascinating, and indispensable.\" —Alice Walker

\"A tantalizing mix of moral fable and sensuous colorful narrative, exploring female sexuality and racial solidarity.\"—Women's Studies International Forum

Rutgers' all-time bestselling book, Nella Larsen's novels Quicksand (1928) and Passing (1929) document the historical realities of Harlem in the 1920s and shed a bright light on the social world of the black bourgeoisie. The novels' greatest appeal and achievement, however, is not sociological, but psychological. As noted in the editor's comprehensive introduction, Larsen takes the theme of psychic dualism, so popular in Harlem Renaissance fiction, to a higher and more complex level, displaying a sophisticated understanding and penetrating analysis of black female psychology.

Passing is now a major motion picture written, produced, and directed by Rebecca Hall. It premiered at Sundance in 2021 and is available on Netflix.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Quicksand and Passing?

Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre

Where can I read a sample of Quicksand and Passing?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780813511696

How long is Quicksand and Passing and how many pages does it have?

Quicksand and Passing has 288 page(s)

Is Quicksand and Passing part of a series, and can it be read as a standalone?

Yes it is a part of series American Women Writers

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Quicksand and Passing?

Deborah E. McDowell, Nella Larsen

Who is the Publisher of the book Quicksand and Passing?

Rutgers University Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Quicksand and Passing is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780813511696) and ebook(ISBN 9781978832695) and pdf(ISBN 9780813558097)

Where can I buy Quicksand and Passing online or support local independent bookshops?

You can buy Quicksand and Passing from below

Where can I buy Quicksand and Passing?