I've actually only read Quicksand (I'll get to passing at another time), but damn. I read it for a class focused on discussing marginalized groups--and with the professor I had, we got into discussing the nature of identity and social groups based on identity, what they are, how they operate in society (or how society makes THEM operate? ;) ) and how they operate differently in different societies. Quicksand was a remarkable demonstration of those concepts through fiction particularly in the case of anti-black racism, exoticism, and colorism. The main character, Helga Crane, who is of Black American and Danish descent, lives in three main places throughout the book: as a teacher in a Black, Christian school in the south US; she lives in Denmark for some time with her aunt; and she lives in Harlem in NYC during or around the same time as the Harlem Renaissance. Quicksand had some of the best writing I've ever read, hands down. Larsen is subtle and nuanced with her language at times, at others very poetic and evocative of deep and gripping emotional experiences. It rather reminds me of going to an orchestral performance or an opera, or anything that's long-form. It's long and drawn-out, but if you pay attention at all, you know it's a fucking masterpiece with how all the little details play off each other. And the ending is so tragic in a way I never expected to be, but it was so much more poignant than so many other tragic endings I've read. This isn't a book for impatient people wanting a quick fix, but if you give it the time and respectful attention it deserves it will give back just as much if not more than you put into it. This is on my top shelf in my home library--meaning it's one of my favorites. Seriously worthwhile.