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A review by bookishevy
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
OMG! I can't believe I went this long without having read The House of Eve.
Philadelphia, 1950s: Intelligent fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearshall is on her way to becoming the first in her family to go to college. When a taboo love affair threatens to squash her dreams, Ruby must decide what kind of future she wants and how much she is willing to sacrifice to have it.
Washington D.C.: Eleanor Quarles leaves her small town in Ohio to attend Howard University. She and William Pride, who hails from one of D.C.'s elite Black families fall in love, but his colorist mother already has a woman from another wealthy, light skinned Black family picked out for her son. Eleanor is hoping a baby will ease her assimilation into William's world, but she has a secret that could jeopardize their plans to start their own family.
Eventually, Ruby and Eleanor's stories intercept when they both make decisions they believe would secure their futures.
In this story that explores Black womanhood and motherhood, the reader is taken on a journey of the lengths some women would go to to get what they want. I'm not just talking about Ruby and Eleanor. Yes, they're the main characters, but Ruby's mother is one of the reasons she did what she had to do. Ines is one of those mothers who puts men over her daughter, and Ruby is determined not to end up like her mother, having to depend on a man. Eleanor's mother-in-law Rose is a meddling busy body who would do anything for William and her family's reputation.
Ruby and Eleanor must confront racism and classism on their journeys. Ruby has to navigate a racist system to give herself a chance at the life she envisions. Eleanor has to put up with Rose's attitude, which is fueled by this belief that close proximity to whiteness equals success.
I really enjoyed this audiobook. Alexis Blake and Nicole Lewis are excellent as Ruby and Eleanor, respectively, and their portrayals of the supporting cast kept me engaged. That epilogue gave me chills.
Philadelphia, 1950s: Intelligent fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearshall is on her way to becoming the first in her family to go to college. When a taboo love affair threatens to squash her dreams, Ruby must decide what kind of future she wants and how much she is willing to sacrifice to have it.
Washington D.C.: Eleanor Quarles leaves her small town in Ohio to attend Howard University. She and William Pride, who hails from one of D.C.'s elite Black families fall in love, but his colorist mother already has a woman from another wealthy, light skinned Black family picked out for her son. Eleanor is hoping a baby will ease her assimilation into William's world, but she has a secret that could jeopardize their plans to start their own family.
Eventually, Ruby and Eleanor's stories intercept when they both make decisions they believe would secure their futures.
In this story that explores Black womanhood and motherhood, the reader is taken on a journey of the lengths some women would go to to get what they want. I'm not just talking about Ruby and Eleanor. Yes, they're the main characters, but Ruby's mother is one of the reasons she did what she had to do. Ines is one of those mothers who puts men over her daughter, and Ruby is determined not to end up like her mother, having to depend on a man. Eleanor's mother-in-law Rose is a meddling busy body who would do anything for William and her family's reputation.
Ruby and Eleanor must confront racism and classism on their journeys. Ruby has to navigate a racist system to give herself a chance at the life she envisions. Eleanor has to put up with Rose's attitude, which is fueled by this belief that close proximity to whiteness equals success.
I really enjoyed this audiobook. Alexis Blake and Nicole Lewis are excellent as Ruby and Eleanor, respectively, and their portrayals of the supporting cast kept me engaged. That epilogue gave me chills.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse