The following version of this book was used to create the guide: Bennett, Brit. The Vanishing Half. Riverhead Books, 2020.

Brit Bennett's debut novel, The Vanishing Half, is divided into six sections, each of which contain numbered chapters. These chapters are comprised of smaller fragmented divisions. The novel's structure allows the author to move back and forth in time and space. The following summary adopts a more linear plot trajectory.

As young girls, Desiree and Stella Vignes, grow up in Mallard, Louisiana, a town founded on colorist principals. Though the twins' family is light-skinned, and therefore accepted by their community, Desiree and Stella feel entrapped in their hometown. After their father is murdered by white men, their mother, Adele, withdraws them from school, and has them begin working for the wealthy white Dupont family. After being repeatedly raped by Mr. Dupont, Stella is eager to leave Mallard. She agrees to escape to New Orleans with Desiree.

In New Orleans, the twins work for Dixie Laundry on a low wage. After Stella is fired, Desiree encourages her to apply for a secretarial job at Maison Blanche. Passing for white, Stella gets the job. Here she meets her boss, Blake Sanders. Enamored with Stella, he actively pursues her. Stella realizes her new white identity affords her privileges her real identity does not allow. She decides to abandon her old life, lying to Blake and telling him her family was dead. Having split from her sister, Desiree started a relationship with a dark-skinned African American, Sam Winston. When their marriage turned abusive, Desiree fled back to Mallard with her young daughter, Jude.

Over a decade after leaving, Desiree appears back in her hometown. Adele is shocked to see her daughter, and even more surprised to see how dark her daughter is. Though Desiree promises Jude to leave Mallard eventually, the two remain there for many years. Eventually, Desiree begins a relationship with her childhood romance, Early Jones. Though they do not marry, they have a lifelong partnership.

During the same year Desiree is moving back to Mallard, Stella is living with Blake and their daughter, Kennedy, in a wealthy all-white neighborhood called Palace Estates. Here Stella feels secure, hidden from her true culture and roots. She becomes distraught, however, when a black family moves in across the street. She is convinced they will be able to see through her lies. However, she soon becomes friends with the woman, Loretta Lawson. Despite their deep connection, Stella keeps their friendship a secret, afraid of her husband and community's judgement. Loretta later ends their relationship, when she hears Kennedy call her daughter a racial slur.

Years later, Jude leaves Mallard for California, where she begins attending UCLA. Here she meets Reese Carter, and begins a deep relationship. The two help one another make amends with their pasts, and embrace their true selves. While catering in L.A., Jude encounters Stella from afar, and talks with Kennedy. She encounters Kennedy again while attending a play. Jude starts a job at the theatre in order to befriend Kennedy, hoping to eventually meet Stella. After several months, Jude finally corners Stella outside the theatre, and tells her she is Desiree's daughter. Determined to preserve the life she has created, Stella grows angry. Later that night, Jude blurts out the truth of Kennedy's familial history at a cast part. Kennedy is enraged and confused.

When Kennedy tries confronting Stella about Jude's claims, Stella denies everything. However, when Jude and Kennedy bump into each other a few years later, Kennedy insists Stella tell her the truth. Irritated, Stella returns to Mallard, wanting to convince Desiree to tell Jude to stop. When she sees her sister again, she immediately apologizes. Though they make amends, Stella leaves Mallard without saying goodbye. Not long later, Adele dies, and Desiree and Early move away. Kennedy and Jude remain friends.