Yellow Wife: A Novel

By Sadeqa Johnson

Called "simply enchanting" by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Wingate, this harrowing story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia.

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Published Dec 28, 2021

288 pages

Average rating: 8.46

603 RATINGS

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What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say *Yellow Wife* by Sadeqa Johnson is an immersive, fast-paced historical novel inspired by real events, praised for gripping writing and viv...

TheBookishOne
10/10 stars
Absolutely beautiful writing. I loved every minute of this book and could not put it down. Looking forward to reading more by Sadeqa Johnson!
novelthoughtswithamy
10/10 stars
This was a good book! I love historical fiction involving enslaved people where we have some semblance of winning in the end. Not a perfect ending for the main character, but she saw two of her most important dreams through.
literarily_occupied
10/10 stars
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

An impactful historical fiction that is inspired by the true story of Mary Lumpkin and the Lumpkin Jail in Richmond, Virginia.

Set during the 1800's in the midst of slavery, the character of Pheby Delores Brown immediately pulls you in. She's been promised her freedom on her eighteenth birthday but events will take her in to the hands of a white man dubbed "Bully" who owns a slave jail/punishment/trade establishment referred to as the "Devil's Half Acre".

Sadeqa Johnson's writing is fluid and eloquent and for fans of historical fiction this story is not to be missed.

"Mama always said that a grateful heart served as a magnet for miracles, so I latched onto the worship and gave thanks."
Jaibee
8/10 stars
Good read
Chantalish
9/10 stars
It was good, but very heavy and really too much for me! It brought me in and had me experiencing things that were hard to shake! Great writing, but now I need something light to read to get over this book!