Six Degrees of Separation ~ Passing

Nella Larsen
"Passing" - 2026

#6Degrees of Separation:

from Passing to From the From the Land of the Moon

#6Degrees is a monthly link-up hosted by Kate at Books Are My Favourite and Best. I love the idea. Thank you, Kate. See more about this challenge, its history, further books and how I found this here. 

The starter book this month is one of our own books. In recognition of Novellas in November (which I know lots of us participate in), we start with a novella that’s on our reading list.

I don't read or enjoy many novellas but I thought I'd keep with the starter book and  list the last good novellas read:

Larsen, Nella "Passing" - 1929

A "black" woman who is white enough to be considered "white" and "passes" as "white". 

Takahashi, Yuta "The Chibineko Kitchen" (Japanese: ちびねこ亭の思い出ごはん 黒猫と初恋サンドイッチ/Chibinekoteino omoidegohan kuronekoto hatsukoisandoitchi) (Meals to Remember at the Chibineko Kitchen #1) - 2020

I am sure we all have wanted to have one last conversation with a deceased loved one. Now, the Chibineko Kitchen makes this possible. 

Barbal i Farré, Maria "Stone in a Landslide" (Catalan: Pedra de tartera) - 1985

We have a great insight into the lives of the people in Catalonia at the beginning of the last century, how their lives were changed by the Spanish Civil War. 

Fosse, Jon "Morning and Evening" (Norwegian: Morgon og kveld) - 2001

A fascinating story about the life and death of a man. A simple story about the passing of an old hardworking fisherman with a humble life. No embellishments needed, a plain reflection on an ordinary life.

Coetzee, J.M. "Waiting for the Barbarians" - 1980

This story could take place in any corrupt country, in any dictatorship. 

The description of the protagonist, the magistrate in a small post on the border of "the Empire" is very good. We see how he goes from thinking he is a loyal servant of a fair government to the discovery that the so-called barbarians are oppressed by the regime and those who think they are better than others for whatever reason.

Meri, Veijo "The Manila Rope" (Finnish: Manillaköysi) - 1957

A war story, yet quite funny. Soldiers on their way home for home leave during the war keep telling each other stories of what happened to them or others and their way back and to the battlefields or even on the battlefields. Most of the tales are pretty humorous.

Definitely an anti-war story. 

Agus, Milena "From the Land of the Moon" (Italian: Mal di pietre) - 2006

An interesting tale about the life of a woman who cannot break out of the prescribed path. A short but very powerful story about family history, told by the granddaughter of the woman in question.

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This month, it's easy to find the the connection between the starter book and the last one since they are all novellas. Happy Novellas in November month!

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