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elemmire's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a sad and realistic look at the life of a slave woman. It does not steer away from the painful truth that come with being the mistress of the plantation owner. The mixed emotions of the women and how they try to live through it all is what makes this book so good.
justkay3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
audryt's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible. Lizzie's situation could not feel more real or the choices she has to make more heart-wrenching. This is the best book I've read this year and is going on the very small shelf of books I know I will read over and over again throughout my life.
justkhi's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
gwalt118's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very enjoyable. It gave an interesting glimpse into an aspect of slavery that we don't often hear about in such great detail - that of white masters and their slave mistresses. I thought the book began somewhat slowly, but once it picked up (after about pg. 30 or 40), it was hard to put down.
The biggest complaint I have about the book is the time sequence. I don't like how the first part of the novel is in the present, then second part of the novel goes into the past and then the third and fourth parts spring back to present day. It made it difficult to follow when I began reading the second part. I don't think it would hurt the story if it was told in chronological order.
I really enjoyed the ending of this novel. Perkins-Valdez did a great job of tying up all the loose ends and ending the book in a succinct and complete way, something that I think is very challenging for any writer. The characters were also marvelously developed. Lizzie, the protagonist, really came alive for me and I found myself empathizing and criticizing her throughout the novel.
I would definitely recommend this one, especially if you're interested in narratives regarding slavery and/or women.
The biggest complaint I have about the book is the time sequence. I don't like how the first part of the novel is in the present, then second part of the novel goes into the past and then the third and fourth parts spring back to present day. It made it difficult to follow when I began reading the second part. I don't think it would hurt the story if it was told in chronological order.
I really enjoyed the ending of this novel. Perkins-Valdez did a great job of tying up all the loose ends and ending the book in a succinct and complete way, something that I think is very challenging for any writer. The characters were also marvelously developed. Lizzie, the protagonist, really came alive for me and I found myself empathizing and criticizing her throughout the novel.
I would definitely recommend this one, especially if you're interested in narratives regarding slavery and/or women.
readwithjacqueline's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Vomit, Racism, Rape, Violence, and Blood
cursiveknight's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Physical abuse, Violence, Racial slurs, Rape, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Racism, Death, and Colonisation
Moderate: Pregnancy and Fire/Fire injury
lovely_smiles's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read. The different characters embodied different parts of slavery. It impacted everyone differently. They were strong, but all for different reasons and in different ways. The struggle between love, fighting for yourself, and kids. Do you save yourself or stay trapped to be with your family? They struggled with the same questions we struggle with today. What is right? What is wrong? What should I do?
Considering the title; we know wench is a very derogatory term, but this put a whole new look on the word. Just being an African American woman I would be considered a mistress. Especially being a young black woman. I couldn't imagine living the way not only these characters did, but the way life was in this time.
Lizzie gave an interesting point of view. She was trapped between love and her freedom. She was the only character that truly felt love for her master and that also felt obligated to return to her children due to the connection she had with Drayle. Her kids were treated well for the most part, she couldn't let them go like the other females. Reenie an older slave added a different view. She was relying on faith to make it through the rough times. Mawu the spunky slave. She was determined to move on, and not be trapped. She saw bigger than things than Lizzie, but she felt so connected to Lizzie that she waited and got hurt. Sweet, a good spirited person until she lost her children. She shows the deep depression that came along with slavery. She couldn't stand to live without her children.
Considering the title; we know wench is a very derogatory term, but this put a whole new look on the word. Just being an African American woman I would be considered a mistress. Especially being a young black woman. I couldn't imagine living the way not only these characters did, but the way life was in this time.
Lizzie gave an interesting point of view. She was trapped between love and her freedom. She was the only character that truly felt love for her master and that also felt obligated to return to her children due to the connection she had with Drayle. Her kids were treated well for the most part, she couldn't let them go like the other females. Reenie an older slave added a different view. She was relying on faith to make it through the rough times. Mawu the spunky slave. She was determined to move on, and not be trapped. She saw bigger than things than Lizzie, but she felt so connected to Lizzie that she waited and got hurt. Sweet, a good spirited person until she lost her children. She shows the deep depression that came along with slavery. She couldn't stand to live without her children.
k_wall's review against another edition
5.0
This was book was amazing. I chose this book for a February reading challenge in my book club. Little did I know how this book would change the way I see this part of history. I was a little skeptical at first thinking this was another book about slavery and all the wrong doing of whites to blacks in the 1850's, but it was so much more than that.
This is a story of a slave girl, Lizzie. She travels to the free state of Ohio with her master, Drayle, to a resort where southern men liked to take their mistresses. Lizzie meets other women there who are in the same situation as her. While they are in Ohio, they start to wonder what freedom would feel like. They are scared of leaving everything and everyone they know behind though.
There were sometimes in this book that I forgot that it was set in the 1850's. This book was so wonderfully written. It showed that women, especially slave women, were strong during this time and put up with so much. They had no rights, but they stood together. It was almost like the women in this story belonged to a wonderful secret club where anyone would do anything to help another member. The ending was not what I expected and was hoping that Lizzie would do things differently. However, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is not just your typical "slavery" book. This is truly a story that can change the way you see things forever.
This is a story of a slave girl, Lizzie. She travels to the free state of Ohio with her master, Drayle, to a resort where southern men liked to take their mistresses. Lizzie meets other women there who are in the same situation as her. While they are in Ohio, they start to wonder what freedom would feel like. They are scared of leaving everything and everyone they know behind though.
There were sometimes in this book that I forgot that it was set in the 1850's. This book was so wonderfully written. It showed that women, especially slave women, were strong during this time and put up with so much. They had no rights, but they stood together. It was almost like the women in this story belonged to a wonderful secret club where anyone would do anything to help another member. The ending was not what I expected and was hoping that Lizzie would do things differently. However, I would recommend this book to anyone. It is not just your typical "slavery" book. This is truly a story that can change the way you see things forever.