In 2018, The New York Times published a belated obituary for her.[22] She was inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame in 2022.[23]
Nella Larsen was an acclaimed novelist, who wrote stories in the midst on the Harlem Renaissance. Larsen is most known for her two novels, Quicksand and Passing; these two pieces of work got much recognition with positive reviews. Many believed that Larsen was a rising star as an African American novelist, until she soon after left Harlem, her fame, and writing behind.[24]
Larsen is often compared to other authors who also wrote about cultural and racial conflict such as Claude Mckay and Jean Toomer.
Nella Larsen's works are viewed as strong pieces that well represent mixed-race individuals and the struggles with identity that some inevitably face.[25]
There have been some arguments that Larsen’s work did not well represent the "New Negro" movement because of the main characters in her novels being confused and struggling with their race. However, others argue that her work was a raw and important representation of how life was for many people, especially women, during the Harlem Renaissance.
Larsen's novel Passing was adapted as a 2021 film of the same name by Rebecca Hall.[26]
