Feels Good To Close A Book

Today I finished a book that normally would have taken me one evening to read. The books is called Passing by Nella Larsen. A co-worker recommended it and gave me her copy when she heard me talking about The Help. The thought this book would be a great follow up to The Help. Passing was published in 1929. I can tell in the writing style that it was written long ago. The story does not flow as well as it should.
It is about African Americans that can pass as White. This particular story is about a woman, Clare, that marries a white man without his knowing she is not white. He is not only white, but a terrible bigot. The story is told through the eyes of a childhood friend of Clare's, Irene. Irene on a whim goes into an upscale restaurant that she would not be allowed in if she could not pass. At first she does not recognize Clare. Then Clare comes to her table and they become reacquainted.
It is a sad story, a dark story. I think after the restaurant scene it goes downhill fast. The secret life that Clare lives is very sad. She is shut off from her family and old friends. She chose to Pass for the money and grander life style. After seeing Irene, I think it becomes clear to Clare that she could still have had a grand life without living a lie.
I can only give the book a rating of 2. The story is worth reading. I just do not enjoy the choppy feeling I get from the writing. I should have finished it in a evening. I would have enjoyed it much more.
If you read, The Help, you would enjoy this book. Check it out from the library. Give yourself an evening to read it. Another view into the ugliness of racism. With the angle of some disapproval from African Americans towards people trying to Pass. Let me know what you think if you do read it.