Dolen Perkins-Valdez has written a wonderful book, "Wench." It is the story of a little told aspect of pre-civil war slavery in the American south. "Wench" is actually a novel of four black women, scarcely more than girls, who are by some erudite custom not infrequent among slaveholders, the concubines of their owners. Although the novel focuses upon one, Elisa, aka Lizzie, three others are included in the tale.
The story is difficult to believe, but author Perkins-Valdez's writing is so skilled and her grasp of the details of period and place so sure, we are quickly led to "suspend disbelief" to step into this nail biting plot. In addition to the horrid plight of the four young women, vassals to men who are for the most part wholly self-centered, the slaveholders share yet another dastardly activity. Although not uncommon for married men to take a couple of weeks each year to go camping, fishing, hunting, etc. "with the guys," leaving their wives and families at home, in this novel the slave owners take their adolescent concubines to a resort where they cohabit in cabins with their young slaves.
"Wench" is remarkable for its portrait of these four young women and their owner-lovers, demonstrating, too, author Perkins-Valdez's facility with characterization. In addition to the portrait of Lizzie, a slave in the household of Drayle and his wife, we see Lizzie's relationship with other slaves, with free black people, and with abolitionist whites. We are privileged, too, to consider the life or death bonding of the girls to one another in these extraordinary circumstances.
Of particular interest, too, is the emotional relationships of slave and owner. Inasmuch as their relationships are built upon the most intimate of human responses, we experience the love/hate affections that can exist between defenseless slave and omnipotent owner, e.g., the rawness of an owner-father and his slave child and family and the concubine mother's powerless concerns for the well-being of the child who is the property of her owner-lover. My review here is merely a fraction of the issues this amazing novel involves, but I guarantee that these issues so ably addressed by Dolen Perkins-Valdez will be with you for many a day following your reading of this splendid book. As readers we are nothing if not beholden for new experiences, the stuff of really deep emotions from the pens of able storytellers.
Claim your copy of "Wench" as quickly as you can. It may well be your most provocative read this year.
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Customers find this book compelling and thought-provoking, with well-developed characters and a clean yet lyrical writing style. Moreover, the story is based on historical facts and provides a fascinating view of Tawawa House, making it a must-read for history enthusiasts. Additionally, customers describe the narrative as heart-wrenching, with one review noting how it held their attention from beginning to end.
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117 customers mention enjoyment, 114 positive, 3 negative
This is another sad peice of our history but a great read. White slave owners take their black mistresses with them on vacation to the north....Read more
...That said, "Wench" is a solid debut and I'd call it a "good read." I'd also call it more plot-driven then character driven....Read more
Still reading (only on part II) but this seems like a very good book, I cant put it down...........Read more
I enjoyed the book, the reference to historical places created more interest for me. I knew someone that went...Read more
76 customers mention storyline, 54 positive, 22 negative
...Good writing, good story. What I liked the most is that there really was a place such as was described and what it turned into.Read more
...What an excellent story. I could NOT put the book down and looked forward to any chance I got to return to reading it again....Read more
An easy read. Not the best endingRead more
...I picked it up again this year and boy is it an amazing story. I will not go into details but the characters are believable and the plot engaging....Read more
56 customers mention heartbreaking story, 47 positive, 9 negative
This is a fascinating story of history, love, hate, betrayal, and family. The characters are so well developed you feel kinship....Read more
This story was heart wrenching and beautiful, but the ending was abrupt. Definitely thought-provoking, though....Read more
...This was a look at slavery I had never seen before. It was unique and tragic and inspiring all in one book. I recommend picking this book up....Read more
...I found it to be thought provoking and emotional, yet altogether satisfying. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys southern historical fiction.Read more
55 customers mention character development, 41 positive, 14 negative
...The characters were well developed and you really felt empathy for their miserable living conditions while respecting their courage and strength....Read more
This is a very enlightening, well-crafted novel, with strong characters and a tight plot....Read more
...The characters are shallow and in the end I was disappointed.Read more
Wench was a steady paced read with well developed characters....Read more
51 customers mention writing quality, 48 positive, 3 negative
Eye-opening - well written!! History told & felt from a woman's perspective. To find strength within, peace & understanding against the odds.Read more
Very well written and well researched ! Although it is a fiction it encompasses realistic details of the experiences during the times of slavery.Read more
Well written book that portrays a shameful period in our history. The characters are well developed and the story line keeps the reader interested....Read more
This was a very sad story and some shocks in the end. Superb writingRead more
37 customers mention interest, 36 positive, 1 negative
...Mawu was quite feisty and interesting; I would have loved to hear what she was thinking, especially since she was the one who wanted freedom more...Read more
This book is really great and intriguing. Enjoyed every page. I would recommend this book. Must have for you library.Read more
Fascinating and vividly portrayed piece of historical fiction based on facts that are rarely explored....Read more
This book was really interesting due to the fact you had so much hope for the women in it, it didn't turn out the way I hope....Read more
36 customers mention history content, 34 positive, 2 negative
...not discussed and we love books that show us something new and informative. Whether for Book Club or individually, a very enjoyable read.Read more
...Sometimes, a well researched novel paints a much richer historical mural and offers the reader an absorbing tale of the past.Read more
A well-researched and unsung portion of American history. Disturbing at times and disheartening at others....Read more
Very well written and well researched ! Although it is a fiction it encompasses realistic details of the experiences during the times of slavery.Read more
34 customers mention thought provoking, 33 positive, 1 negative
...I found it to be thought provoking and emotional, yet altogether satisfying. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys southern historical fiction.Read more
Eye-opening - well written!! History told & felt from a woman's perspective. To find strength within, peace & understanding against the odds.Read more
Captivating and Enlightening...Read more
I thought Wench was an excellent and thought provoking book. It gave a whole new perspective to slavery and the slave/master dynamics.Read more
Mesmerizing
“WENCH,” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez, is mesmerizing historical fiction that takes the reader into another time and place, long gone but not forgotten, and rightfully so. The story features four slave women who are mistresses to the masters of plantations. They also have strong bonds of another kind~to each other. For several years, they come together when their masters vacation at a resort in Ohio. Characterization is excellent and each woman is different, as are their relationships with their masters and other slaves. The reader will come away with an incisive look into a world we find it hard to imagine now, but here it is. I recommend it.
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- barefootfreeloveReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2016
Fantastic
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase - Chantal C.Reviewed in Canada on August 29, 2021
Very good quality
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase - Grandma JoReviewed in Canada on March 6, 2013
Sad and wretched lives
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
