In Sadeqa Johnson’s 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘞𝘪𝘧𝘦, Pheby Delores Brown is often imprisoned with the debilitating thoughts of choosing between freedom and love in this pre-Civil War novel set in Virginia. Inspired by the true story of enslaved, mixed-raced woman Mary Lumpkin and the “Bully-Trader” jailer Robert Lumpkin, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘞𝘪𝘧𝘦 reimagines Pheby’s story when she is unexpectedly sold into the Lanier prison and what becomes of her life as the “yellow wife” of the jailer. The jail, known as the Devil’s Half-Acre, is a place of abhorrence and thrives on human suffering by “breaking” slaves in the mid 1800s.

Born on Christmas Day and the granddaughter of a Cameroon queen, Pheby Delores Brown, is a privileged mulatto woman and often shielded with her mother’s protection learns that promises are not always kept. Pheby’s mother often emphasized to her young daughter, “You a slave in name, but never in your mind, chile.” Pheby always imagined and felt her lot more than that above a slave. Her mother insisted she maintain an image of dignity, grace, and confidence that nobody could strip away from her—not even the ills of slavery. Her mother never taught her how to be a slave, because she could be a lady instead. Her composure and identity never rested on being anybody’s property but her own person—it helped her sense of selfhood throughout the novel. Her mother’s ability to transplant that notion in her daughter’s mind is the key to her survival upon the hell she enters at Devil’s Half-Acre. All in all, Pheby is smart, talented, beautiful, skillful, and resourceful; thus, she is deemed a “prized yellow wife” to Rubin Lanier once he sees her.

Johnson tells a heartbreaking story about motherhood, love, and sacrifice. Slavery demands that we make hard choices while love demands another. The roles of women in this novel are even more complicated once they become mothers. Johnson’s portrayal of family separation is agonizing to the reader, but explains the sheer pain the heart feels as it is stretched, broken, and twisted to lose your children in auction or separation. In my reading, I see some parallels to Harriet Jacobs’ slave narrative 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘚𝘭𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘎𝘪𝘳𝘭. Johnson creates a character that learns very quickly what it means to grow from a young girl to a woman that makes tough choices that save her life and direct her future and her freedom.

While I enjoyed the research, interest, and attention surrounding Johnson’s plot and characters in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘠𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘞𝘪𝘧𝘦 and I how much I anticipated an advanced copy of the release, I just was not blown away by the novel itself. It was no real “spark” or “action” for me. I wanted a stronger, emotional connection with the characters—something more meaningful—and I didn’t really find that in Pheby, but I wanted to. She is fashioned to be a strong character, but she’s actively passive about her own future. Furthermore, the ending falls short on many levels. I wanted this to be a 5-star review, but I can’t always promise that.

Interesting story based on real people/events. I didn't enjoy the graphic violence but I get that it was necessary to understand the extent of what they endured and how they were controlled. I would recommend this book for civil war era historical fiction fans.

This book is a hard read, as it is historical fiction based on one of the horrific parts of US history, slavery. However, I feel that the author wrote a very realistic story and that this should be read by as many people as possible. The author wrote a brilliant book that was hard to put down!

It's only January but Yellow Wife is a possibility for book of the year! Inspired by real people and real events, this books feels timely despite being set during slavery. You will root for these characters harder than ever and will be moved by this story forever. Read Yellow Wife as soon as you can.

Yellow Wife is about Pheby Delores Brown, a young enslaved woman, who had been promised freedom on her 18th birthday. However, she is sold beforehand due to a dispute and finds herself at a jail in Virginia, known as Devil’s Half Acre, possibly the cruelest place slaves are tortured and sold. The Jailer is intrigued by Pheby, for her looks and her will to fight. What follows is Pheby’s journey with sacrifice, loss, and her determination for a better life, for herself and those she holds dearest.

Overall, I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. This was a great read and the emotions reading this were unreal. I couldn’t put this down. That’s a lie actually..I HAD to put this down to ponder certain events because of the seriousness of them. My only issue with it was how quick the resolution felt, especially since the subject matter is so heavy. I believe this will be a top historical fiction book for 2021!

While this book is a piece of historical fiction, it is inspired by the true story of Mary Lumpkin and of Lumpkin’s jail in Virginia. There are scenes that may be triggering to many, but I believe give great depth to the story being told. The Author’s Note at the end gives great insight into how this book came to be and the research that went into it. As a historian, I really appreciate when writers do this so I can reference and further research a subject as interesting as this.

Thank you to @sadeqasays, @netgalley, and @simonandschuster for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'd like to thank Netgalley and Simon Schuster for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first 5 star read of the year!! I loved the cover and that is what drew me to this book in the first place. This author is new to me and I want more!

This is a beautifully written historical fiction set in Virginia of 1850. This book was so heartbreaking and it was hard to put down. The story is based on the real life of Mary Lumpkins who was the Yellow wife of notorious owner/jailer of the Devil’s Half Acre jail. The writing is graphic and doesn't skip the brutality of how slaves were treated.

This book had me from page one and it's a story that sticks with you.

This was the authors first time writing a historical fiction book and I must say I really enjoyed reading this storyline. The characters are well developed and you can imagine and feel the different emotions that they are going through. To be a mother born during slavery times and bear her children too while in slavery. It can be difficult, especially when your child’s father is your master and slave owner., so your children are considered mulatto. A mother will say or do whatever she can to protect her children and help them to escape to a place up north where they can live free from being a slave.
Since the storyline takes place in Richmond Virginia and surrounding areas it was interesting how the author incorporated in the storyline of places and things that happened during the slavery time period because Richmond was one of the main places to buy, sell and trade slaves.
I found this book to be a page turner from the beginning until the end and I still wanted to read more. Perhaps the author will write a sequel as to what happens with the main character Pheby Delores Brown, her son and four daughters or a prequel as to the backstory of Pheby’s and her mother Ruth..
I highly recommend this book to read.
I voluntarily received a ARC from Netgalley and this review is of my honest opinion and thoughts.
Cassandra H.

- Every single character comes to life in this story. It's an absolutely magical literary experience and while heartbreaking to read about slavery, it's such an important piece of our history. ⁣
⁣
- Johnson does a fine job of balancing difficult subject matter and vivid imagery to create an immersive experience. I love that this story is told from Pheby's POV. It adds so much to the richness and heartbreak of this book.⁣
⁣
- From page one, this past-faced, beautifully written story will take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. Be prepared to feel anger, frustration, deep sadness, hope and love. You'll be feeling ALL THE FEELS and those are typically the most rewarding books to read.⁣

I was so delighted to be granted an advance copy of this novel, if for nothing but the gorgeous and captivating cover and the intriguing blurb. This is a tale about a woman of mixed race, daughter of a slave master who thought things would go one way..... but they went the other way.

I read this book in practically one sitting, which really doesn't happen much anymore unless I just cannot get enough, cannot read fast enough. I was without power for three days, so I booked a hotel room, and, since there is also a raging pandemic, was quite happy to find myself with nothing to do but read.

I was instantly transported to a place and time I wouldn't want to return to: a plantation in Virginia, during slavery times. Pheby had been promised her freedom from her father when she turned 18. She'd planned to marry her love and live a blissful, idyllic life, but after an unfortunate occurrence, the Master's wife had devious, revenge-filled plans for the child she despised. Pheby finds herself in a place she never wanted to be, doing things she'd never dreamt of having to do for a man that she had to appease or suffer the consequences, hoping for freedom for herself and her child, but knowing it would never be granted if she did not fight for it.

To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. If you have ever read THE KITCHEN HOUSE by Kathleen Grissom and loved it, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. I remember reading it when it came out and my friends and I had such book hangovers afterward. This book actually makes me want to go and re-read Grissom. Yellow Wife reads as, perhaps, the plantation next to Thousand Oaks, which was where The Kitchen House was set.

I want to note that the ending didn't give me big wrap up feelings... it felt a bit rushed, but maybe I need to read it again. Aside from that minor point (endings are hard), this read is solid.

I have read Sadeqa since The Second House From The Corner and have savored her well-written tales with timelines that snap, rich dialog and vivid setting. I'm so excited for this new venture into historical fiction! If Yellow Wife is ANY sign of her prowess with the genre, we're going to be looking forward to fantastic books in the future.

Vivid Chronicle of American Slavery

After the hundreds of books, I have read, there are two types of historical novels that crush me. Although fiction, they are factually based in terms of geography, settings and the sufferings of men, women and children. One type of novel involves the Holocaust, the other concerns slavery in America. America has a long history of racism from the American Indian to present day.

Sadeqa Johnson has written a riveting novel, narrated by Pheby Delores Brown. She is mulatto, literate and raised by a mother who has taught her to believe in freedom and education. She is the daughter of Jacob Bell, a Virginia plantation owner who promises to free her when she is eighteen. However, when Jacob is away, Delphina, Jacob’s wife, sells Pheby to a slave trader.

Pheby tells the reader about her journey. She is part of a coffle (a new word I learned) which is a line of slaves fastened or driven along together. When Pheby is brought to a slave trade center, Devil’s Half Acre, in
Richmond, she is claimed by the owner, Rubin Lapier. Although White men became rich as slaveowners, Rubin is considered too disreputable; White women will not marry him. Pheby becomes his “wife,” bearing him five children; she had one son fathered previously by a black man she loves.

In the meantime, Pheby paints a merciless description of physical (beatings and rape) and emotional damage doled out to the slaves. It was interesting, if you can call it interesting, how the slaves knew their roles to their Masters and to each other. There was a small hierarchy among the slaves but no one was safe from being whipped or sold. Pheby used all her womanly wiles, when needed, and she did anything to protect her children. She was always desperate for her freedom. It is all dehumanizing and I found it difficult to absorb many of the disconcerting scenes, but it is our history, after all.

Johnson wrote a moving, complex page-turner, whose subject, unfortunately, seems timely.

My gratitude to NetGalley and Mahogany Books for this pre-published book in exchange for an honest review.

I read "Yellow Wife" in one day. I have always had a desire for historical romances and this one by Sadeqa Johnson did not disappoint. My emotions ran a gauntlet of things. Anger reign the strongest. But, in the end I felt a bittersweet profoundness in the end of my read.

"Yellow Wife" depicts a tell of many mulatto women of this enslaved history of my people and every time I open and read one of these tells I openly mourn and wept for all how suffered this fact. "Yellow Wife" shows how enslavement impacts all who faced it. Pheby was a young woman who show the lighter side of enslavement and she sadly was giving a false sense of security as long as she was with her enslaved master father. Her mother and master father shielded her from her real truth and when everything around her snatched away her faux security blanket she had to survive in the only way she knew how.

I am joyed in knowing she learned what true love was with Essex, even though it was fleeting, she still experienced it. That love gave her a reminder of it everyday and she devoted her life for the loves she loved the most.

In conclusion, Pheby didn't receive the freedom she was promised, she received a sense of it. This book was a profound read that should touch all who has the privilege to read it. I have laughed, been sad, cried, been livid, and I have rejoyed. I give this read 5-stars. I look forward to reading more of Sadeqa's work. "Yellow Wife really depict of it's true time period.

This is my honest and humbled review. Thanks Netgally and Simon & Schuster for this amazing read.

The Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson is a book that will stay with me forever. This story was heart wrenching, detailed, and real. From the time I picked this book up, I knew I would not put it down till I finished it in one sitting.

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.

A remarkably written historical fiction set in the 1850s that was inspired by a real family and a real jail in Virginia rekindles the discussion and study of slavery. The harsh realities of those dark chapters in American history are presented with brute and graphic bluntness but remain eloquent in their presentation. It makes for a strange but savory contrast, to read about something so dreadful yet have it conferred with such sophistication.

I felt so many raw emotions ranging from love, hate, fear and gut wrenching sorrow, as I read about families being torn apart without a care. The characters and situations throughout the book were well developed and I felt for them and cried for them as I would any real person.

Pheby’s story is one that will stay with me. I’m still speechless and cannot even put into words the courage each woman in this story exhibited. How they had to live all while trying to protect the ones they loved made them heroic.

The surreal nature of the narrative makes the reality of slavery even more present and vivid. It is hard to grasp, and yet essential that we do, our recent history and how it continues to shape our present. Sadeqa Johnson has written a bold novel that will hold you from the opening pages and not release you, even after you come to its end…and maybe even not then. If you are a fan of The Underground Railroad or Kitchen House, then this book is for you. I cannot recommend it enough.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my gifted copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is basically a well-written piece of historical fiction on a sensitive subject. The characters are believable (Pheby was my favorite) and the story is painful and horrifying. It's unbelievable that people could treat their fellow human beings with such vicious behavior and disregard - - unbelievable and yet based on true events. Even though times were different then, it just doesn't seem possible people could believe this behavior was proper. It's heartbreaking.

The story seems to ring true most of the time but I felt the ending was rather rushed and incomplete. I wanted to know more about the characters' lives after the escape. Perhaps another book will be coming?

Wow I loved this book. This was a historical fiction novel inspired by the story of Mary Lumpkin and Lumpkin’s Jail in Richmond, VA. In this story we follow Pheby Delores Brown who goes from the Bell Plantation in Charles City, VA to the Devil’s Half Acre Jail in Richmond. After losing her mom at the Bell Plantation she was sent to be sold at the jail and the jailer, Rubin Lapier, decided to “rescue” Pheby. This is a novel about Pheby’s bravery. There were grueling scenes of flogging and conditions slaves were forced to live in. Pheby is just such an extraordinary woman who is mulatto so she becomes the mistress of the jail, but still continues to help others as much as she can.

Pheby is one of my favorite characters. You could tell how much she loved her children and would do anything for each of them. But, she was also very true to herself and did not let power or money change her values. I just found her to be really amazing. While this was such a heart wrenching story that was really difficult to read at times, I really could not put it down. It was a really quick read and the writing was truly beautiful.

I just wanted a little more information at the end as to what happened with each characters, but I really do like the ending and how a little is up to interpretation. Highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

a great look at our Southern past, an extremely well written and thought out book. I think this is one that should be read by everyone

We Are Never Slaves In Our Minds

Wow! This is a powerful story. I read on this book almost all day, couldn't put it down. It is difficult to understand how people can go through so much cruelty and still go on with life. How Some people could be so cruel and think it was okay to do so.

It was a different time in history, and thought processes were very different. Although there were cruel people there were also compassionate people. Had that not been so there would have never been a civil war to abolish slavery. Not all white people were cruel slave owners and not all black people were slaves.

It was a sad story of the lives of Pheby , probably sadder than the other slaves. She was half black and half white and didn't feel like she totally belonged. She was taught to read and write and play the piano. Because of this when the mistress sent her away to be sold and she ended up in the Devil's Acre she was not prepared for what she found there. She was still treated better than most and tried to help those less fortunate with danger and consequences to her own safety. It was interesting to read the ending, different that what I expected .

In history we often hear about the cruelty of slavery in the physical sense with beatings and floggings. From reading this story there were so much heartache in the mental cruelty with punishment to those that disobeyed by selling family members.

I enjoyed reading about some of the fashions of the day and how the plantations were set up with the main house, the laundry house, the kitchen house and the slave quarters all separate. That the slaves that worked in the big house were considered uppity by the other slaves. How they all came together at a funeral and at church.

I enjoyed reading about his era in history. I would recommend this book.

Thanks to Sadequa Johnson, Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

HEARTBREAKING

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson

Yellow Wife is a Historical Fiction that reads as if it is going on today. A distressing emotional story, showing a mother's unconditional love for her children. Well written this book is one that will stay within your spirit.


Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read and give an honest review.

#Netgalley #Cillasbookmaniacs #Mamatoni

The Yellow Wife by Sadequa Johnson is a historical fiction story of a young mixed race slave girl, Pheby, who is kept as a mistress to the brutal jailer at the Devil's Half Acre. This story is representative of the life narratives of the thousands of slaves who passed through Jailer Jacob Lapier's slave trade often being abused, beaten and sold. I am having trouble describing this book as some of the adjectives of praise for the writing seem to distract attention from the harrowing, absolute evil that is endured in its pages. I highly recommend this story and feel that Johnson's research was strong and the situation Pheby finds herself in is historically accurate. The characters are memorable and I will continue to think of them and this beautifully written, heart-wrenching story often.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Books like Yellow Wife remind me how deficient my grade school education about slavery was, as while there were elements that I recognized, I came away horrified to find out there was something that education had not touched on, in this case slave jails and the harsh conditions those sent their faced at the mercy of the jailers. This provided a new, even bleaker shadow to the already dark knowledge of the realities of the slave trade.

Pheby is a mixed race woman who had a somewhat interesting position as the daughter of a slave and her master, technically being born into bondage, but also being sheltered by her father from the worst of it and even received a somewhat genteel education, being able to read and play piano, until she is sold by his wife. My heart broke for her as she found herself ripped away from all she knew, finding herself having to face reality for the first time head on, seeing others being beaten, and being forced to sleep with and bear children for her jailer. Through it all, she perseveres and even manages to regain some of her power back, and I am in awe of her strength and fortitude in such bleak circumstances.

This is a dark book, but one that is so raw and relevant, centering triumph over oppression.

Overall, this was an unflinching account of a woman’s determination as she faced her life in slavery. Pheby, the mixed-race daughter of her master, is sent to a jail where she is forced to become the bedmate of the jailer. The man she loved, Essex, managed to escape slavery and when recaptured Pheby is determined to rescue Essex and the son she shares with Essex. While parts of the book seem a tad overdone, the story is a good one.