Let me start by saying I loved Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson. It feels strange saying ‘love’ because it is a heavy book filled with pain and strife, but the writing was beautiful, and the character development was top notch. It was one of my favorite books of 2021. So, when I saw that Sadeqa had a new book coming out, I knew I needed to get my hands on it. The House of Eve was an incredible novel and held its own. In similar fashion, it covers stories of Black women that are often not told but need to be heard. The House of Eve is told from dual perspectives with chapters alternating between Ruby and Eleanor’s stories. Each woman is fighting to break the mold and do more than the generation before them. It takes a lot for a historical novel to sweep me off my feet, but damn, these books did just that. There are themes of racism, classism, colorism, and motherhood that are deeply explored through both women’s stories. When their stories collide, I was honestly breathless.
Thank you, Sadeqa, for bringing these stories to light. We are all better for them. (Now go out and read both of these books!)
Content warnings: racism, classism, forced adoption, physical and emotional abuse
Synopsis:
It is 1950’s Philadelphia and 15-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to being the first person in her family to attend college. Ruby is determined to break the cycle of poverty but finds herself pregnant from a secret love affair. During the same time, Eleanor Quarles resides in Washington DC where she married into an affluent family. Eleanor struggles to fit in with her wealthy elite in-laws and desperately wants a baby. Both Ruby and Eleanor’s story collide in an unforgettable way with decisions that will change both of their lives forever.
Rating:
5 stars
Favorite Quotes:
“And this trip downtown had shown me that we even had to fight for what should have been free: our dignity.”
Other books by Sadeqa Johnson:
Yellow Wife (click title link for review)
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