Sadeqa JohnsonReseñas

I would not have finished this book were it not this month's pick for my RL book club. From the start, the writing was so pedestrian and full of awkward phrasing that I would find myself wincing as I read. The story is of two Black women, one in high school and one in college, in the middle of the 20th century, and how their lives unfold among the limiting circumstances of their race and class. It was pretty obvious how these two lives would intersect, but it took a long time to get there. And then the pace picked up and the last third or so felt incredibly rushed. I think that, as I felt with Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, the author was more concerned with relaying information than with creating a good story.

3 stars

Ruby is a high school student who is struggling to become the first person in her family to go to college. Her grandmother's glaucoma inspires her to become an optomitrist, but she must win a scholarship to consider college. But then she falls in love with Shimmie, a Jewish boy. Eleanor is also striving to improve her life as a college student at Howard. She falls in love with a pre-med student at her school who is from the Washington DC elite. Ruby gets pregnant and can't keep the baby. Eleanor can't carry a baby to term. Ruby's daughter is adopted by Eleanor and her husband and is able to pursue her dream.

The lives in the late 1940s and early 1950s of two Negro teenagers, Ruby in high school in Philadelphia, Eleanor at Howard University in Washington DC. Both become pregnant with a man they love. Ruby is trying to win a scholarship to be the first person in her family to go to college and become an optometrist. Eleanor, from a small town in Ohio, is a Sophomore at Howard and wants to become a library archivist. One marries the man, the other does not. One suffers a miscarriage, while the other is forced to give up her child.

This is a very engaging, readable book that focuses on two young women, Ruby and Eleanor, from very different backgrounds. each with a determination to succeed in their academic pursuits.

Ruby's single teenaged mother decided to pursue men rather than raise her daughter, so Ruby's grandmother and aunt were her source of strength and solace. When Ruby and a white Jewish boy, Shimmy, fall in love, his mother is horrified, especially when she finds that Ruby is pregnant.

Eleanor is from a respectable middle-class family and attends Howard University where she meets a medical student from an upper-class family. The trajectory of their marriage is often troubled by her mother-in-law's meddling.

The lives of Ruby and Eleanor will intersect at the most poignant moment of their lives. I was surprised to learn that lighter-skinned Blacks are more favored within that community. Unfortunately, bigotry, prejudice and hypocrisy exist in every area of our world.

Book club selection for Feb 2024.

Much has been said and written about this book, however, the point is missed by many. I enjoyed reading this book. The reader is sharing the lives of two women who happen to be women of color. I suggest you go into reading this blind do not read others' reviews, finish it before you read anything else. Take notes if you must but remind yourself to allow yourself to feel. Fear, first love, forbidden love, class, race, hate, love, fear, parenthood, miscarriage, white-passing, and worlds apart. This novel has something for everyone. I loved it and recommend that you pick it up. 5 stars

I just love her writing and how her stories just flow. Such a great read and you just connect with the characters and feel their struggle, pain and hard decisions. Sadly, this is not too far off from what has been currently going on with women's rights being overturned. This novel explores two different women in two different situations and the choices they feel is in their best interest while fighting to better themselves. A historical fiction story that is being relived by many today, as history once again is repeating itself. I love how the author followed through with also giving us what happened after these situations happened and bringing it all full circle at the end.

This is an exceptional book! Yes, it is hard to read some of it because of the raw pain but it's necessary to understand the past. It is not for the faint of heart- it is very explicit. The men and women depicted in this book are true heroes. Thank you Sadeqa for this book. A definite must read.

Interesting book. I knew about the hair and skin issues but who knew there was a need for black children to be adopted. Such a sad story. No one gets to keep their children.

Such a fantastic story and a great narrator. I loved both POVs from these two women whose lives become linked together. As a sister to two brothers who were adopted in the late 1960s I've learned over the years how gutwrenching of a situation it was for women until the mid-1970s when things changed a little for women (we still have a long way to go!)
I loved the spunk of these characters and how the author pulled the curtain back on how things really were for women "in a family way" especially for women of color.
My only complaint is I wish there'd have been one more short chapter at the end to give us that final glimpse into how it all played out.

A compelling and emotional historical fiction. Five Stars.

Pheby Delores Brown, a slave born on the Bell Plantation in Virginia, is favored for her light skin and beauty and is promised freedom by her white father, Master Jacob, at the age of 18. However, her life takes a drastic turn when Jacob's wife, jealous of Pheby, sells her to slave traders. Pheby ends up in the infamous Devil's Half Acre Jail in Richmond, where she catches the eye of the jail owner, Rubin Lapier. Rubin, unable to find a white wife due to his reputation, decides to make Pheby the mistress of the jail.

This story is heartbreakingly beautiful, with rich characters and detailed historical research that portrays the harsh realities of slavery, as well as the often overlooked aspects of African-American history.

Must-Read!

Excellent. Loved it!

In 1850 in Virginia, Phelby Brown is the child of a slave and the master of the Bell plantation on which they live. Pheby's life is spinning cotton and collecting herbs with her mother until she is assigned to work in the plantation house for the master's wife, Delphia. Delphia has a vendetta against Phelby since she is her husband's child by another woman. She is cruel, vindictive and physically abusive to Phelby. When the master and her mother are killed in a carriage accident, Delphia is sold to a slave trader and travels under horrendous conditions to the jail run by a slave trader, Rubin Lapier.

The slaves are treated like animals and auctioned like cattle. This is a heart wrenching account to read. It becomes an enormous part of Phelby's life when Rubin Lapier chooses her as his own. She learns to be submissive and bears him four daughters, although her heart belongs to Essex, a fellow slave she loved on the Bell plantation. Following her captivity, she had a son by Essex whom she named Monroe.

This is historical fiction that is difficult to read since it is based on facts that are not imaginable. The ending letters between Phelby and her oldest daughter relate what happened in the following years.

Powerful historical novel about two young African-American women attempting to achieve their life dreams.

historical fiction - two Black women deal with pregnancy (unwanted or not), giving up their baby (whether the mother wants to or not), and adopting a baby (without knowing anything about the mother) in 1948-1950s

Easy to read with lots of drama, sort of uplifting (both women get to attend/finish college despite not being from wealthy families), but also sort of a teaching moment about what injustices women went through when abortion was illegal and when unwed mothers didn't have financial resources (kind of like now), particularly when they were Black/disadvantaged/weren't recognized to have the right to be treated humanely.

See also: The Girls Who Went Away

Historical fiction set during the 1950s and told in the alternating voices of a Philadelphia high schooler and a Howard University freshman, both African American females.
Themes of racism, classism and colorism are explored.
The lives of the two main characters intersect in an unusual, but somewhat predictable way.
I liked the promising ending.

This story of two striving Black women in the 1950s and the intersection of their lives is well-written, though without the high drama that made her debut novel, The Yellow Wife, so notable. Eleanor, from the Midwest, is studying to become an archivist at Howard University when she meets William, a second generation medical student from a notable D.C. family. Ruby, the daughter of a neglectful teenage mom from Philadelphia, is competing for a scholarship that will pay for her four years of study at Cheney University, so she can become an eye specialist, inspired by her beloved grandmother's (not enough of her in the book!) blindness. Each woman is confronted by pregnancy problems: Eleanor cannot carry a pregnancy to term, and Ruby becomes pregnant by a Jewish boy, Shimmy, threatening her ambitions. As in The Yellow Wife, an epilogue is particularly gratifying.

Story of two women’s exprience with fertility and childbirth in the 50’s. The story was a repetion of all the horrible situations black americans lived through in the 1950’s. They were treated so unfairly and everytime I read accounts of this time,I feel heartbroken and sad.½

"It fired me up how easy it was for boys to slip away and the leave the girl with all the responsibility of carrying the baggage."

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson was absolutely fantastic. Historical fiction is my heart and this one did not disappoint. Johnson's storytelling is masterful and she weaves a story that wraps itself around you and beckons you closer. Both Ruby and Eleanor had unique voices and both their POV's were distinct and strong in presence. I was totally captivated by both their stories and how they eventually came to intersect. Johnson easily became an auto-buy after reading this one.

The novel was full of Black history in both Philadelphia and D.C. The story had elements of the Civil Rights beginnings blended in with women's reproductive history before the legalization of abortion. The story takes place in the 1950's when religion and "morality" rule and women are forced to take the blame for men's behavior. Black women have been at the center of these issues and had the harshest policing of their bodies since the very beginning. It wasn't surprising to read how the churches were complicit in forced adoptions and enforcing patriarchal beliefs about unwed women. I really learned a lot about these homes for unwed girls.

Johnson's writing style evoked so many emotions in me. Miscarriage and infertility are always hard topics for me to read but Johnson's writing style provided plenty of opportunities to process some of the heaviness. I really appreciated that it discussed classism and colorism among Black elites, as well as, racism. This story illuminates the hypocrisy of religion and how it reinforces misogyny and blames women for the poor behavior of men. It also spotlights how girls are sexualized at a very young age and have their bodies policied and shamed but men can rape, commit pedophilia and groom young girls without repercussions. This is a perfect read for Women's History Month since Johnson brings to the light so much unknown history.

Thanks to @simonandschuster and @tlcdiversity for the gifted copy. I know that this will be one of my top reads of the year.

The audio version of this novel is a difficult listen. When, in the author's notes at the end, she explains that the story of Phoebe Delores Brown and her jailer are based on a true story, I was stunned and surprised, which betrays my naivete at the treatment of enslaved people at the slave market of Richmond, VA. before the Civil War. As told by the protagonist, the mixed race daughter of a seamstress and her owner is raised with expectations of attending school in Massachusetts, but when everything that can possibly goes wrong does, she is claimed by the brutal jailer (holder of enslaved people before auction) and has four daughters by him, binding her to him and to her somewhat privileged but miserable life as the jail mistress. Most of her decisions, made in her own interest or that of her children (Phoebe also has a son from an enslaved lover who had made his escape), have a terrible impact on the other enslaved people owned by the same cruel jailer. The tension at the denouement is incredibly high and the writing propels the listener along, with some relief at the epilogue. Listening to this story is so very impactful. I'm looking forward to reading Sadeqa Johnson's new book.½

The House of Eve, Sadeqa Johnson, author; Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis, narrators
On the surface, this is the story of two young, black, teen-aged girls who find themselves “in trouble”, during the mid-1950’s. However, it is about so much more. It is about racism, white and black, it is about white and black privilege, and it is about the rights of women. It is also about the “industry” of adoption, and perhaps, it is also about abortion. For certain, the book will encourage discussion about each of those subjects.
Eleanor Quarles’ parents worked hard to enable her to be the first in the family to go to college. Her roommate, Nadine, nicknamed her Ohio, for the small town there, where she lived. Eleanor’s mom was a strong woman who sold her baked goods to earn the money needed to help Eleanor get a higher education. She was at Howard University, in Washington, DC, working hard to maintain her school payments and to maintain her grades. She wanted to make her parents proud. When offered a job to help the library archivist, she accepted immediately. This was a particularly interesting part of the book because the history of black success and ancestry is explored as her job is explained.
While working in the library, she met William Pride, a student at Howard University’s Medical School. His mother, Rose, could do with a little less pride. It made her an arrogant woman. She was part of the Negro community that had made it, that thought of themselves as different from, and superior to, most black people. These upper-class Negroes believed they were better than those who were darker skinned or poor or less educated. William came from a family with two prior generations of doctors, his grandfather and his father, and he would make the third. Eleanor was introduced to a different lifestyle when she visited his home for the first time. There was a butler, there was a maid, there were guests who were so fair-skinned she mistook them for White folk. They were haughty and rude to her, just as the sorority girls were, from the sorority she had hoped to pledge, but Alpha Beta Chi had rejected her. She was too dark and her hair was not straight enough. These Negroes were lighter skinned, were part of a “black privileged”, class and they had their own caste system. Nevertheless, Eleanor and William were drawn to each other even without his mother’s approval. Rose had wanted Greta to marry her son William, and she was not gracious to Eleanor, at all. She was openly rude and made inappropriate comments as she questioned her about her background. Eleanor overheard her telling her friends that she was basically beneath William’s station. As she and William grew closer, so did their passion. Soon she was in a family way. How would her problem be solved?
Ruby Pearsall was born out of wedlock. She lived in Philadelphia. Her mom, Inez, didn’t really want her around. Ruby cramped her love life and her lifestyle. Inez’s boyfriends also seemed to be attracted to fifteen-year-old Ruby. Although those incidents were far more upsetting to Ruby, her mother blamed Ruby and threw her out. She went to stay with her Aunt Marie. Aunt Marie took bets and worked in clubs. She did what she could to make ends meet and help Ruby. She kept her home and her belongings neat and clean. Ruby was a very good student as well as a talented artist. She was in a special program, “We Rise”, that would offer her a full scholarship to Howard University if she was one of the 2 chosen from the group. She wanted to be a doctor, an Optometrist. She wanted to make her family proud. She wanted to feel proud. She wanted a loving family.
One day, at her aunt’s apartment, the landlord’s young son, came to fix the plumbing. Shimmy Shapiro and Ruby discovered they were drawn to each other, even though it was very dangerous. Shimmy, was a White Jewish boy whose parents were not only the landlords, they were very prejudiced. Shimmy convinced Ruby to secretly meet with him. As their relationship grew, so did their lovemaking. Soon Ruby discovered she was pregnant. Shimmy wanted to marry her, but he was young, naïve, unaware that it was illegal, and he was just a freshman in college. His parents went berserk when they found out. Ruby was called all sorts of terrible names. Shimmy was sent away to keep them apart. Mrs. Shapiro arranged for Ruby to go to a home for unwed mothers. The home was supposed to be a decent place, a place that helped the young women who went “astray”, to find redemption. They also arranged for the adoption of the babies. It was run by the Catholic Church. When Ruby got there, she discovered they were forcing the girls to give up their babies and overworking them as penance for their sins. Basically, they were selling the babies to “better families”. Terrible things happened at The House of Eve.
This book is about the injustice of race bias. It is about women in the fifties who had to deal with it. Through the eyes of Eleanor, we learn about a class of Negroes that exhibited “black privilege”. We also see the very real incidents of “white privilege” through Negro eyes. It is hard to reconcile their treatment with regard to its injustice. In the home for unwed mothers, run by the church, although all the girls were in the family way, the white girls were treated far better, and the Negroes were kept isolated. Man’s inhumanity to man was alive and well.
Both Eleanor and Ruby allowed a moment of passion to potentially ruin their lives, but for the men involved, little changed. William continued to study Medicine and Shimmy went off to college. Both were relieved to have their mothers handle their situations and solve their problems. What becomes very obvious, through the pen of this author, is that prejudice is alive and well in both the Black and White community. However, the Negro had been largely powerless. The two women of the novel had to make a choice. For one of the women, marriage could be her salvation, and for the other, not getting married could allow her to achieve her goals for her future. However, what about the babies? As the years passed, Ruby and Eleanor’s lives went in different directions, one in the lap of luxury, and the other in the world of struggle. Their lives would one day intersect. I wondered if justice would ever be served.
The Gingerbread House, as the girls called the home for unwed mothers, or The House of Eve, as the Church preferred to call it, is not a name I would choose. I prefer The House of Horrors, myself. I have read books about these homes before, but never one that featured women of color so prominently. This book exposes so much about how difficult life was for the Negro then, but it also exposes “white and black privilege”, something that has not been addressed as honestly before, to my knowledge. We are all subject to the forces of evil and racism.

Ruby Pearsall in Philadelphia, PA, and Eleanor Quarles in Washington, D.C. Their stories began in October 1948, and an epilogue concluded the novel in July 1964.

Ruby is a 15-year-old high school student and one of a small number of students competing for a full scholarship to college. Life isn't easy in North Philly, especially when your mother doesn't want you around. With dreams of becoming an ophthalmologist, Ruby would be the first in her family to attend college. Ruby must be the one to win the scholarship.

Eleanor, an only child born to parents in a small town in Ohio, is a sophomore at Howard University. Her parents continue to work hard to ensure that Eleanor will be the first in their family to obtain a college degree. Eleanor also works at the campus library whenever she isn't studying, but her roommate Nadine ensures that Eleanor has a little fun too.

The two young black women have their goals set, but friendships bud to romance to unplanned pregnancies. They opened hearts to love, followed by prejudice and racism, bringing cruelty and difficult decisions. It is a story of the past but poignantly resonates in 2023 in heart-aching ways. The story also brings to light that in the best of times and in the worst of times, there are women that decide to lift one another, and there are women that choose to intimidate, bully, and disparage other women.

I have always read the Author's Note and additional Front Matter and Back Matter of books, but I know many readers skip these integral parts. I kindly ask you to consider reading this novel's Author's Note before closing the book for the last time. It is a vital part of the depth of this extraordinary book. The author illuminates American History that isn't taught in schools and must be told. A book that I would give more than 5 Stars if available. It is a novel beautifully written with grace.

My sincere appreciation to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read an ARC of the novel. The review is given voluntarily with my honest opinions.

A compelling look at the lives of two black women in the 1950s United States--one a teenage girl trying to improve her life while the other young woman tries to fit in with her well-to-do family. Sadeqa Johnson never shies away from tough topics (make sure to read her book, The Yellow Wife!), and The House of Eve is no different. Recommended for historical fiction lovers! I think you'll find her storylines, writing style, and characters captivating!

Thank you to Book Club Favorites at Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
This is the story of 2 black women in the late 1940s. First is Eleanor, who is studying History at Howard, and wants to be an archivist. She meets William Pride, a doctoral student, and quickly falls in love. However, his mother doesn't think Eleanor is worthy of William. Second is Ruby, a young, bright, high school student born out of wedlock. She is going to be the first in her family to go to college, but she meets Shimmy, a white Jewish boy, and falls in love. Both Eleanor and Ruby become pregnant, and how their pregnancies turn out bind them together forever.
I loved the story. The difficulties these women had to endure, and what steps they needed to take to make a better life, were well written. This was based on stories from Johnson's own history, which made it even more authentic. A terrific story.

Whether in Philadelphia, Washington D.C. Chicago or another city Jim Crow is there. Still, life must go on. There is always music, movie entertainment and sports. It is wonderful to meet Lena Horne, Sarah Vaughn Dinah Washington and Satchel Paige. There are more famous names inside the book. Sadeqa Johnson has wrote a great Historical Fiction book. So gather your nerves together and a hot cup of cocoa and have a grand time reading. You won't regret it. At times you will want to yell at a character. All of the emotions are touched by two couples and their families. In the bigger cities like Washington,D.C. and Philadelphia and Chicago, there is also Jim Crow. One mother of the groom is insulted because the Mother of the bride to be bakes and sells cakes for a living. Another time one of the characters experiences harassment in a department store. Whether Jewish or Black or rich or poor life is heartbreaking. Still, there is always hope.