A review by amandalorianxo
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is such an important book despite it being a work of fiction, what occurs to Pheby and the other characters (both enslaved & not) is all too real in American history. I loved Pheby’s constant reminder from her mother. “Slaves by name but not in their mind.” In spite of the circumstances not always being in her favor, she persevered. Pheby Dolores Brown is the daughter of Ruth, a medicinal enslaved woman and a white man (I’m assuming it’s either an enslaver or someone else that was white) So Pheby is seen as slightly better than due to John’s favoritism over the Brown women (this is their last name) Unfortunayely, we are met with tragedy early on and Pheby is left at the tender age of 18 to be sold / married off to a man she does not want to be. Turbulent years are ahead but Pheby rises to the top in between the heartbreaks and the pain. Trigger / content warnings - slavery, domestic & physical abuse, whipping, sickness, blood, dubious / questionable consent, mentions of sex, 
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