A review by annreadsabook
Night Wherever We Go by Tracey Rose Peyton

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes

4.75

I really loved and appreciated Tracey Rose Peyton’s NIGHT WHEREVER WE GO, which is a powerful debut that considers the humanity and dehumanization of enslaved Black women in the antebellum South. From the first person plural perspective, Peyton depicts a group of enslaved Black women who find themselves at a crossroads when their enslaver brings a “breeder” onto the farm—the women can either subject themselves to even further loss of their bodily autonomy for the financial gain of their enslaver, or they can discreetly protect themselves at great peril.

Something I thought Peyton did very well was how she depicted the ways in which white women enslavers positioned themselves as victims of white patriarchy while simultaneously degrading, dehumanizing, and terrorizing Black people, specifically Black women. And, Peyton skillfully demonstrates the ways in which white enslavers attempted to convince themselves of their own benevolence (eg, lulling themselves into the belief that they are “friends” with enslaved people who work in the house). So much food for thought in these pages.

This is a great piece of historical fiction that is accessible, engaging, and so important. This is a great fiction companion read, I think, to Dorothy Roberts’ KILLING THE BLACK BODY, if you’re interested in further exploration of Black reproductive justice.

Definitely go check this book out!!
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