Yellow Wife

"A tragic, mesmerizing story constructed from a collection of historical facts, this is an unflinching and deeply personalized look at the harsh and inhumane treatment of slaves as property in the US in the mid-19th century. "

"I loved this book. An historical fiction about young slave woman forced to marry the owner of a white Slave Jail in Richmond, VA. "

"This story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia …( Lisa Wingate, author of Before We Were Yours). This is an unflinching story of slavery and the inhumanity to man and woman occurring during the painful slavery era, and although at times painful to read, it is an educational historical fiction read. "

"Incredible book. The way slaves were treated, and the things they had to endure to survive is something no human should have to experience. This story is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. Pheby's perseverance, positive attitude, and the sacrifices she made for the sake of her children made her such a lovable character. Sadeqa Johnson's writing was eloquent but raw. 10/10. "

"One of the best historical fiction novels I've read. It was so raw and good and shed light on just a glimpse of how awful slavery was. A sad, but beautiful story 🤎"

"This book will tear at your insides and leave you speechless. There are parts that you hope to forget as soon as you read them. Although a fictional account, you know that much worse happened during this time. A heartbreaking and gripping story. A must read. "

"Amazing exploration of the choices one makes to survive unimaginable cruelty. Loosely based on historical figures that left me wanting to do more research."

"Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson tells the story of Pheby Delores Brown, born into slavery on a Virginia plantation. She grows up expecting to be manumitted on her 18th birthday and to one day live in freedom with her love, Essex. The resentment of the plantation's mistress, compounded with bad luck, dashes these plans. Pheby is instead sent to a notorious Richmond jail called the Devil's Half Acre, where enslaved people are held to be punished or sold. Complicating matters further, she finds that she is carrying Essex's child. Pheby must use every asset available to her, from her wits to her light skin, to survive in that Hell. Sadeqa Johnson's prose captures the horrific reality of chattel slavery while never losing sight of the glimpses of Black joy that the characters seize upon wherever they can. Pheby is an incredibly strong character and mother, whose experiences exist in an uncomfortable status where her beauty and the Jailer's favor expose her to some indignities while shielding her from others. She is forced by circumstance to become complicit in the suffering of others in order to protect herself and her children, all the while knowing that her relative privilege can be taken away at any time. While Pheby is fictional, her story is rooted in truth. This book is devastating and beautiful, and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those who need to incorporate more Black voices into their reading"

"Couldn’t put this book down! Must read! The story of Pheby is empowering. Makes you think about the slavery period and the hardships endured. "

""Yellow Wife" is a captivating work of historical fiction that follows Pheby Delores Brown, an enslaved young woman. Her promising life takes a dark turn when she is sold to the Devil's Half Acre and becomes the mistress of the cruel slave trader Rubin Lapier, owner of the Devil's Half Acre. In fear of losing her children, the story explores her sacrifices and resilience. The narrative sheds light on the often-overlooked 'Fancy Girl' trade and the harsh realities of slavery. The book is rich in character development and explores the complexities of survival and motherhood, making it a must-read for those seeking a compelling and eye-opening historical novel. I highly recommend it for its exceptional storytelling and exploration of a rarely discussed part of history. "