Yellow Wife

I found this book so moving. Knowing that the suffering endured by Pheby Brown and her family was not unique makes this novel a very emotional book to read. Sadeqa Johnson's telling of this story documents the brutality that slaves endured, while still representing the strength of the human spirit. Knowing that Pheby endured all of this cruelty only for the love of her children will stick with me for a long time.

I saw an interview with this author when this book was first published and it has been on my TBR list ever since. I found it compelling how a family activity of walking the Richmond Slave Trail led her to the stories that inspired Yellow Wife. The author is a wondeful storyteller, and I devoured this book in a few days. It is difficult to learn about the history of the slave trade in the United States, but cannot compare to the suffering endured by so many. While this story is fictional, it is well researched and based on real places and real people.

4/5 - A very difficult story to digest, but I'm glad I did because it is absolutely necessary during these times. I felt like I was a character in the book and was experiencing what they were going through. It is unfathomable to know that my ancestors went through this and were still able to make due with what they had. Please be warned that some of the scenes are triggering, so be sure to mentally prepare yourself.