The Yellow Wife: A Novel
Written by Sadeqa Johnson
Narrated by Robin Miles
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
*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.
Sadeqa Johnson
SADEQA JOHNSON is a former public relations manager who spent years working with well-known authors such as J.K. Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan, and Bishop T.D. Jakes before becoming an author herself. Her debut novel, Love in a Carry-on Bag, was the recipient of the Phillis Wheatley award for Best Fiction and the USA Best Book award for African-American fiction. She is a Kimbilo Fellow, former board member of the James River Writers, and a Tall Poppy Writer. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives near Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and three children.
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Reviews for The Yellow Wife
988 ratings59 reviews
What our readers think
Readers find this title to be a great and well-written book that engages them from start to finish. The story captures the complexity of the time and creates deep characters and imagery. It is an emotional roller coaster that leaves a lasting impression. The book sheds light on the horrors of slavery and the strength of the characters. The narration is excellent, and the author's note at the end adds to the experience. Overall, it is a moving and thought-provoking read that is beautifully told.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very 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
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Loved it. The story was unique and beautiful. The end was beautiful. The narrator phenomenal
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Really loved it. It would be one of my top favorite reads in 2021
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I could not stop listening! What amazed me was all the research the author put into writing this book.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5It was such a gripping, inspiring and powerful book. The narration was great and vivid!
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The book is beautifully written with meaningful characters that come alive on each page.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What 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
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This 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
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent. No words can describe what a great listen/read this book was for me.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A must read or listen too. This novel keep me wondering what next.
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I heard about this book and read it in one day. It was really good. Parts of it made me so angry, but I guess history is what it is. I’m definitely looking for other works from her.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5An amazing book. It is one you just want to keep reading or listening to because the author is a talented story teller! Sad at times and will pull in your heart strings. I highly recommend!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amazing historical fiction. The balancing of morality, self-respect, and the need to protect one’s children leaves the heroine making difficult choices throughout.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Everyone needs to read this book and understand our history. The book is loosely based on the Lumpkin Jail in Richmond, Virginia which was known as the "Devil's Half Acre." The author shares those details in the epilogue. Read about it, I was not aware of this terrible jail, I am glad his wife leased it to a Baptist minister.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bravo!!!! Well written. Each character had so much depth. I cried. I hung on every intense moment.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Compelling, 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!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I 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!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Wow!!!! 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!!!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This book was amazing. Wish I could give it twenty stars!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Kept me spellbound.
Made me realize how strong my ancestors had to be - the courage passed on to us survive-even now! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I 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!!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I really enjoyed this book. Finished it in two days!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Excellent story, plot, and example of the strength and endurance of African American women!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Thought 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?!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This 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.❤️
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5wow! 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.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What a great historical read! Kept me hanging on the edge!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5What 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!!!