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    The Yellow Wife: A Novel
    The Yellow Wife: A Novel
    The Yellow Wife: A Novel
    Audiobook9 hours

    The Yellow Wife: A Novel

    Written by Sadeqa Johnson

    Narrated by Robin Miles

    4.5/5

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    About this audiobook

    From the New York Times bestselling author of House of Eve—a 2023 Reese’s Book Club Pick!

    *A Best Book of the Year by NPR and Christian Science Monitor*

    Called “wholly engrossing” by New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Grissom, this “fully immersive” (Lisa Wingate, #1 bestselling author of Before We Were Yours) story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia.

    Born on a plantation in Charles City, Virginia, Pheby Delores Brown has lived a relatively sheltered life. Shielded by her mother’s position as the estate’s medicine woman and cherished by the Master’s sister, she is set apart from the others on the plantation, belonging to neither world.

    She’d been promised freedom on her eighteenth birthday, but instead of the idyllic life she imagined with her true love, Essex Henry, Pheby is forced to leave the only home she has ever known. She unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the bowels of slavery at the infamous Devil’s Half Acre, a jail in Richmond, Virginia, where the enslaved are broken, tortured, and sold every day. There, Pheby is exposed not just to her Jailer’s cruelty but also to his contradictions. To survive, Pheby will have to outwit him, and she soon faces the ultimate sacrifice.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherSimon & Schuster Audio
    Release dateJan 12, 2021
    ISBN9781797118819
    Author

    Sadeqa Johnson

    Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels. Her accolades include being the 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, and the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner. She is a Kimbilio Fellow and teaches in the MFA program at Drexel University. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives near Richmond, Virginia with her husband and three teens.  

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    Reviews for The Yellow Wife

    4.5/5

    924 ratings54 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Very illuminating, realistic, and at times sickening. Gave me a glimmer of an idea of how horrible and unjust life was for a person of color in that time, and also of the sacrifices that were made to ensure the safety of loved ones.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Loved it. The story was unique and beautiful. The end was beautiful. The narrator phenomenal

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Really loved it. It would be one of my top favorite reads in 2021

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      I could not stop listening! What amazed me was all the research the author put into writing this book.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      It was such a gripping, inspiring and powerful book. The narration was great and vivid!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      The book is beautifully written with meaningful characters that come alive on each page.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      What a beautifully told story, well done Mrs. Johnson. It was a page turner, I couldn’t put it down. I throughly enjoyed this book. While yes, this is a very heavy subject, and at times you feel the weight of what our ancestors lived through. It’s stories like this that need to continue to be told so we never forget the strength our people and our ancestors endured. I live in the Richmond area and also appreciate the research you did, I thought about the location of the church and the similarity and proximity of Lumpkin jail, I kept thinking this sounds awfully familiar. Thank you for a great read.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This was such a moving story - especially listening to the authors note at the end. Though it’s fiction it’s loosely based off of a real woman of the time.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Excellent. No words can describe what a great listen/read this book was for me.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      A must read or listen too. This novel keep me wondering what next.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Bravo!!!! Well written. Each character had so much depth. I cried. I hung on every intense moment.
    • 5/5
      Compelling, educational, gripping but rough. You will employ tissues while reading through horrendous scenes. Characters are endearing. You’ll root for luck and good endings. 5 stars from me!
    • 5/5
      I always avoid slave-centered arts in any format but gave this book a chance after several recommendations from a fb group called black girl book club. I LOVED this book for all the layers and appreciate the authors intentionality poured into the pages - it is very evident, the care that was taken. Highly recommend. Couldn't stop listening!
    • 5/5
      Wow!!!! Sadequa and her writing are AMAZING!!!!! The story is sad, but the writer did a great job portraying a horrific story and she did amazing research to make it real, but in her own words. Chef's kiss! Great job!!!!
    • 5/5
      This book was amazing. Wish I could give it twenty stars!
    • 5/5
      Kept me spellbound.
      Made me realize how strong my ancestors had to be - the courage passed on to us survive-even now!
    • 5/5
      I need a minute to process what I just finished, but OMG! I loved it, even though it takes you through every emotion. It's well written and keeps you on your toes. Well done, Sadeqa!!
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this book. Finished it in two days!
    • 5/5
      Excellent story, plot, and example of the strength and endurance of African American women!
    • 5/5
      Thought provoking. In 2021 , I still wonder who I might be if of that time. Would I run, would I be complacent, would I pass, would I just be?!
    • 5/5
      I loved this book!! Although some of the words were hard to hear; other words reminded you of those healing remedies that were used by loved one who made their transition long ago. This book made you want to hear more. A great read and well written. If you have time, you should really read this book.
    • 5/5
      This is a truly moving story of the life of black Americans during the horrendous years of slavery. You will find this book hard to put down, and will be cheering for some characters and being shocked at the cruelty of others. Listen to the author’s note at the end of the book, and you will find that this book is loosely based after a real “Hell’s Half Acre”. You will always remember this book.❤️
    • 5/5
      Great narration and excellent story that captured the complexity of the time. I especially enjoyed the author’s note at the end that explained what inspired her to write this novel.
    • 5/5
      wow! wow! wow! Sadeqa Johnson NEVER EVER disappoints. i loved it from the beginning to the end. did not want to put this book down to save my life.
    • 5/5
      What a great historical read! Kept me hanging on the edge!
    • 5/5
      What a novel!! This was the first time I’ve ever read a book like this!! It literally had me biting my nails in anticipation as to what would happen next! The picture was painted so vividly I felt like I was actually there!! Great read for a book club for sure!!!
    • 5/5
      I could not do anything but listen until I had finished this book. No housework, yard work or even going outside. It is a total shame that situations like this occur and you will think of slavery in a whole new light. It has always been awful to me but the events that occur in this book are horrendous Best book I have listened to in some time
    • 5/5
      I really enjoyed this reading.it was such a wonderful read.
    • 4/5
      This book was an emotional roller coaster but a great one
    • 5/5
      Very good book. Needs a part 2 of the children.