320. Quicksand

Quicksand
Nella Larsen
1928
Around 190 pages
 

Quicksand. The crippling fear of every child suddenly becomes relevant again. I know I'm a broken record, but I'm happy to have another woman of color appear on the List, considering there are more men named Henry than Latinas present. 

Helga Crane is an educated biracial woman trying to find her place in the 1920s. Obviously, it's a complete nightmare and the past was a vile hellscape. Helga has one foot in both worlds, with a white mother and absentee black father. She teaches at all-Black school in the South, but she feels like she doesn't belong. Lin-Manuel Miranda could write a Disney "I Want" banger for Helga.

This is a very different perspective than we are used to on this List, which is that of a stuffy closeted English man. The tone isn't exactly hopeful. Larsen is a powerful writer, and you immediately feel for the protagonist.

I rarely say this, but I wish this was a bit longer to ruminate deeper on the themes instead of leaving us in such a dark place. Still worth a read.

RATING: ****-

Interesting Facts:

Largely assumed to be autobiographically.

UP NEXT: Decline and Fall by Evelyn Waugh.