Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Yellow Wife

This book was rough. It's well written, but it could honestly be classified in the horror genre. There are many very graphic violent scenes involving rape, beatings, and of course slavery.

This book is fiction, but it was inspired by the real person of Mary Lumpkin. It's an interesting look at how "mulattos" were treated - those born of slaves who were raped by their white "masters." It's mind-boggling to think about how much skin tone has affected the treatment of people.

This is a difficult read but an important one. Some white people in the South actually think everyone lived as happy families during slave times (I've seen the interviews). They are obviously ignorant fools who will never understand the generational trauma of something so enormously heinous, nor will they ever stop to think about the generational wealth still held by many white families today, acquired through slavery. No wonder Republicans want to ban books and keep people stupid. The wealth some of their families hold is an evil reality they want to keep hidden. I know that was a side rant, but this book evoked those thoughts.

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readtomea97's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was beautiful written, and gives a very unique insight into the lives of slave women, specifically mulatto/white passing women. This story is based on the life of slave concubine Mary Lumpkin, the bully trader (a.k.a. Master Robert Lumpkin), the Devil’s Acre plantation, Anthony Burns, and the experiences they had during slavery and her survival story. Look up Virginia Union University. I appreciate this perspective on her history however I will warn future readers interested this is a VERY heavy read. Be prepared for heartbreak, anger, and grief throughout this story. I can’t count how many times I wanted to put this down because black trauma continues to be too much to experience over and over again, but this was so beautifully written, I had to know how it ends. I respect Pheby’s journey because it wouldn’t have been an easy one for anyone by any means.

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bookish_in_bklyn's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Excellent historical fiction by Sadeqa Johnson! This book dealt with a tough subject, and contained a lot of difficult subject matter. Check content warnings.

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