Reviews

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

stuff4bd's review against another edition

3.0

The stories just blurred together on first listen, will need to revisit 

not_jasminek's review against another edition

5.0

amazing.

maria_hossain's review against another edition

4.0

A beautiful, poignant short story collection about Black women, especially women who are churchgoers. From jaded relationships between mothers and daughters to realistic depictions of sapphic love between Black women to laugh-out-loud funny relationship between half sisters, this book has it all. I've never read Deesha Philyaw's writing before but I love how she uses fewer words to describe indescribable emotions and situations and people. Yes, people can be indescribable and if you read this book, you'll know. My favorite story in this book was Dear Sister.

Thank you, NetGalley and Pushkin Press, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

mimima's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

 This series of short stories is not a gentle one. These women are messy, dysfunctional, and frank, and the descriptions are open door. I am not a fan of short stories and this collection definitely did not change that. 

cynthiareads's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Well done collection.  My fave is How to Make love to a Physicist

libraryladytasmania's review against another edition

Meh. 

shawnita's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.5

chibooknerd's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

Each story was uniquely it's own and I loved the imagery the author used throughout. As someone who was raised in the church the complexities, joys, and hardships experienced in this community were weaved throughout each story. Highly recommend. Though some of the tough topics may make this a difficult choice for a book club discussion 

litlayla79's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

5.0

lennie_reads's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Sexual content

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Dementia

Minor: Abortion and Murder