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A review by bookishrealm
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Whew this isn't an easy read, but it's a necessary read. I don't think I really even read the summary of this book before diving in and part of me wished I would have. It didn't take away from the importance of the novel, but this is one that you need to be mentally prepared for before diving in. CW: graphic depictions of slavery, death of a child (twice), repeated rape, mental/emotional/physical abuse, torturing of slaves (particularly in whippings), graphic depictions of imprisonment.
Yellow Wife can be misleading if readers just look at the cover and title. While perusing my library's audiobook collection, I came across this book and thought it might an interesting read. Little did I know, it's based on the story of Mary Lumpkin who was an imprisoned sex slave to Robert Lumpkin. Similar to Mary's story, readers follow Pheby Brown from her time of being a slave on a plantation to her time spent with the jailer who owns a prison known as Devil's Half Acre. I'm very intentional about my use of the term "sex slave" because as described through Pheby's narrative, the physical relationship existed out of the need to survive not because of true love or attraction. This is vital to keep in mind as readers follow the fast paced narrative created by Johnson.
It is important to note that Yellow Wife is often compared to other slave narratives and while I understand the comparison, this book stands on it's own. It captures an interesting aspect of slavery: the experiences of those identified as biracial, those slaves who have to navigate their enslavement in a very different way. Pheby, understanding her privilege in being fair skinned, believes that her slave master will set her free and send her to the North to get an education. Unfortunately, the favoritism shown to Pheby pisses off the slave master's wife. Johnson does a great job illustrating the tumultuous relationship that has existed between White women and Black women especially during slavery. When White men raped and abused Black women resulting in children, White women took to blaming Black women without holding their husband responsible. The ill treatment that Black women often faced at the hands of the wives of slave masters is gratuitous. Nevertheless, Pheby eventually finds herself in the ownership of one of the most notorious jail owners in Virginia. His insatiable bloodlust will make readers cringe to their core. However, Johnson challenges readers to press forward, to engage with the fast paced narrative that keeps all on the edge of their seats until the conclusion. Pheby quickly learns that regardless of her skin tone, her ability to pass for White she is no better than those slaves kept in the jailhouse. Yellow Wilfe then becomes a story about survival and motherhood. Pheby endures the suffering for the sake of her children. This story tackles so much and does so very well. From colorism to the weaponizing of Black hair to motherhood.
This is not a novel to be missed in 2021. It's one of the best historical fiction novels that I've ever read. The writing was phenomenal with a fast paced plot and excellent character development. I'm grateful to Sadeqa Johnson for listening to the ancestors and taking the opportunity to capture this story. I highly recommend this book.
Yellow Wife can be misleading if readers just look at the cover and title. While perusing my library's audiobook collection, I came across this book and thought it might an interesting read. Little did I know, it's based on the story of Mary Lumpkin who was an imprisoned sex slave to Robert Lumpkin. Similar to Mary's story, readers follow Pheby Brown from her time of being a slave on a plantation to her time spent with the jailer who owns a prison known as Devil's Half Acre. I'm very intentional about my use of the term "sex slave" because as described through Pheby's narrative, the physical relationship existed out of the need to survive not because of true love or attraction. This is vital to keep in mind as readers follow the fast paced narrative created by Johnson.
It is important to note that Yellow Wife is often compared to other slave narratives and while I understand the comparison, this book stands on it's own. It captures an interesting aspect of slavery: the experiences of those identified as biracial, those slaves who have to navigate their enslavement in a very different way. Pheby, understanding her privilege in being fair skinned, believes that her slave master will set her free and send her to the North to get an education. Unfortunately, the favoritism shown to Pheby pisses off the slave master's wife. Johnson does a great job illustrating the tumultuous relationship that has existed between White women and Black women especially during slavery. When White men raped and abused Black women resulting in children, White women took to blaming Black women without holding their husband responsible. The ill treatment that Black women often faced at the hands of the wives of slave masters is gratuitous. Nevertheless, Pheby eventually finds herself in the ownership of one of the most notorious jail owners in Virginia. His insatiable bloodlust will make readers cringe to their core. However, Johnson challenges readers to press forward, to engage with the fast paced narrative that keeps all on the edge of their seats until the conclusion. Pheby quickly learns that regardless of her skin tone, her ability to pass for White she is no better than those slaves kept in the jailhouse. Yellow Wilfe then becomes a story about survival and motherhood. Pheby endures the suffering for the sake of her children. This story tackles so much and does so very well. From colorism to the weaponizing of Black hair to motherhood.
This is not a novel to be missed in 2021. It's one of the best historical fiction novels that I've ever read. The writing was phenomenal with a fast paced plot and excellent character development. I'm grateful to Sadeqa Johnson for listening to the ancestors and taking the opportunity to capture this story. I highly recommend this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Rape, Racial slurs, Racism, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse