Book Review: Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson




Review

This was a deeply emotional and reflective experience with Sadeqa Johnson’s novel, The Yellow Wife. This is my first novel read by Sadeqa Johnson. The novel captures the pain and resilience as well as the

strength of Pheby Brown as a character. It captures Pheby’s journey, her sacrifices, resourcefulness, and determination to protect her children, is compelling and a testament to the powerful storytelling. 


As I read the story of Pheby Brown and learned that this fictional account of real historical events, people and places was the inspiration for Sadeqa Johnson really scored points with me. As Pheby came to terms with her fate and making her life better she made "Masre Rubin"  promise to never sell her son away from her and to not take a wife as long as she resided at his jail, his allegiance is to her. I appreciated that the author referred to Master Rubin Lapier as the “Jailer” as to not amplify his persona as a worthy human being. Pledging her loyalty to the Jailer, only because her girls seemed destined to live a decent life. I thank the author for refraining from using explicit sexual content, as the subject matter is already a harsh reminder of the situation.  


                   “They are nothing more than something to sell. Like furniture.” ~ Chapter 27


The historical context, particularly Richmond’s role in the slave trade, as Richmond was second to New Orleans in the slave trade, Richmond had several jails, holding pens, and auction houses within a few block radius. The brutal reality of Pheby’s life, seems to have been portrayed with great care and authenticity by the author. It’s clear that Johnson’s decision to use historical inspiration while refraining from graphic content allowed the story’s emotional weight to resonate even more. 


The reflection on Pheby’s survival instincts and the legacy of her children adds another layer of admiration for her resilience. The resourcefulness of Pheby creating medicines such as salve with mutton suet and dandelion roots, and teas that she learned to make from her mother was legendary. 

“Our children are our legacy. We must educate them, and then get them out of the South.” ~ Corrina (Chapter 20)


This was definetly a tough read for me, resulting in me feeling defeated and having to put the book down, but drawn to the story at the same time, and a story that doesn’t shy away from confronting painful truths, yet offers a glimpse of hope and empowerment through Pheby’s character. A gripping tale from the very beginning and all the way to the last word. As I cheered for Pheby Delores Brown to remain the heroine in this book, a beautifully written and heartfelt fictional novel. I will be reading more of Sadeqa Johnson’s works. 



About the Author 

Sadeqa Johnson is a New York Times Bestselling author of five novels. Her most recent novel, The House of Eve was an instant New York Times Best Seller, Target book club pick, Reese's Book Club selection and nominated for a NAACP Image Award. Her previous novel, Yellow Wife, was named by Oprah Magazine as "27 of 2021 Most Anticipated Winter Historical Fiction Books." Yellow Wife was also a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award finalist for historical fiction, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, the Library of Virginia's Literary People's Choice Award winner, and a Barnes & Noble book club pick in paperback. 

Sadeqa's novels have received starred reviews from Kirk's and Library Journal and have been featured in top reads by NBC News.com, Good Housekeeping, Christian Science Monitor, Reader's Digest, Off The Shelf, W Magazine, Country Living, Hollywood Life, Parade, She Reads, and many others. She is a passionate public speaker and writing coach. She teaches for the MFA program at Drexel University and is a writing instructor for Story Summit. 

Originally from Philadelphia, Sadeqa Johnson, is a former public relations manager. After several years of working with well known authors such as JK Rowling, Bebe Moore Campbell, Amy Tan and Bishop TD Jakes, Johnson is now the co-founder of 12th Street Press, a boutique publishing company specializing in unique voices.

No stranger to a long distance relationship, Johnson dated her husband long distance for three years, before marrying and starting a family in northern New Jersey. An inner peace advocate, Johnson is a meditation teacher, inspirational blogger and motivational speaker. Sadeqa currently lives near Richmond, Virginia, with her husband and three teenagers.

For more visit: www.sadeqajohnson.com

February 2023

April 2017

February 2016

March 2012




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