My book review of The House of Eve by Sedeqa Johnson. An absolute gem of a novel, disserving every bit of the five star rating.
Title: The House of Eve
By: Sadeqa Johnson
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 384
Release Date: February 7th, 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Rating: ★★★★★
Summary from Goodreads:
From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.
1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.
Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.
With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.
Review:
From the very first page, I was drawn into the lives of the characters, particularly the resilient women who navigate the complexities of family, love, and societal expectations. Johnson's attention to detail breathes life into each character, making them feel like friends I couldn't help but root for.
This was an amazing read. It really highlights the segregation of black and white communities in American history and paints a heartbreaking tale of love and lose, and the atrocities bestowed upon of unwed mothers in the 1950's. 5 out of 5 stars.
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