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Book Review of Wench

Wench
Wench
Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
deltareviewer avatar reviewed on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8


There were several books published in the last year that offered a return to literature. Wench reminds me of novels written during the Harlem Renaissance with the detail, raw emotion and symbolism. One of the slaves mentioned that learning how to cook a proper stew will soften the white man that made me imagine real slave conversations.

This book shed light on the life of the slave mistress. Life was hard but they had more advantages then field slaves. The contradiction their lives faced on a daily basis is enough for one to lose their minds but most survived. The connection that Lizzie, Reenie, Sweetie & Mawu shared was electric. Coming from different areas with varying training/knowledge but still having the same problems linked them for life. They all had varying ideas of freedom, love and passion. Wench is a delicate story that balances slavery, freedom, friends and hardship. Lizzie tries to share her feelings as best as she can while trying to come to terms with the brutal truth. As a prolific writer once said, life ain't never been no crystal stair.