Passing

By: Nella Larsen

Narrated by: Jenna Stauber

In Passing, Nella Larsen delivers a powerful, evocative exploration of identity, race, and the complex choices we make to survive. Irene Redfield, a Black woman living in Harlem, finds her world upended when she reconnects with her childhood friend, Clare Kendry. Clare, who has "passed" as white for years, leads a life of privilege, while Irene’s identity remains grounded in the Black community.

The tension between these two women—one embracing her newfound status and the other committed to her own place in Black society—unravels in startling ways. As Clare's presence in Irene's life becomes more intense, the boundaries between their worlds blur, and both women are forced to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves, their lives, and the lengths they will go to in order to navigate the complexities of race and identity in early 20th-century America.

Public Domain (P)2025 SNR Audio