Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is startling and original fiction that raises provocative questions of power and freedom, love and dependence. An enchanting and unforgettable novel based on little-known fact, Wench combines the narrative allure of
Wench: A Novel (P.S.)
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
In her debut, Perkins-Valdez eloquently plunges into a dark period of American history, chronicling the lives of four slave women—Lizzie, Reenie, Sweet and Mawu—who are their masters' mistresses. The women meet when their owners vacation at the same summer resort in Ohio. There, they see free blacks for the first time and hear rumors of abolition, sparking their own desires to be free. For everyone but Lizzie, that is, who believes she is really in love with her master, and he with her. An extended flashback in the middle of the novel delves into Lizzie's life and vividly explores the complicated psychological dynamic between master and slave. Jumping back to the final summer in Ohio, the women all have a decision to make—will they run? Heart-wrenching, intriguing, original and suspenseful, this novel showcases Perkins-Valdez's ability to bring the unfortunate past to life. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Booklist
Four slave women accompany their masters to a resort in the free state of Ohio in the mid-1850s. Lizzie actually loves Drayle, the father of her two children—a brown-skinned boy named for his father and a girl white enough to pass. Reenie is the half sister of her owner, a cruel man who passes her along to the resort manager. Sweet is pregnant and has a relatively amiable relationship with her master, while Mawu is a wild red-haired woman bent on freedom from a cruel and violent owner. Frustrations mount as they consider their options, tempted to take advantage of the help offered by free blacks and a Quaker woman. But they are guilt-ridden about the prospect of leaving their children behind. The women rely on each other for support as they come together for three summers, catching up on their lives of woe and occasional joy. Drawing on research about the resort that eventually became the first black college, Wilberforce University, the novel explores the complexities of relationships in slavery and the abiding comfort of women’s friendships. --Vanessa Bush
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More About the Author
Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a former University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow and graduate of Harvard. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, she now lives in Washington, DC. WENCH is her debut novel. You can follow the author at http://facebook.com/writerdolen or visit her website at http://www.dolenperkinsvaldez.com
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
199 of 205 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dolen Perkins-Valdez delivers the gripping tale of primary characters, Lizzy, Reenie, Sweet and Mawu's, lives as slave maids and mistresses during the mid-19th century. Although from separate southern plantations, the mistresses vacation with their white masters to a free-state resort in Ohio each summer, forming a sisterly bond and developing relationships with each other.
Suffering emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their "owners," the women grow weary, often dreaming of their and their children's freedom. While each of the women has a unique relationship with her respective master, Lizzy, Reenie, Sweet and Mawu share the bond of slavery and mistreatment. Despite the seeming perks each wench receives over all the other slaves at their home plantations, each woman still finds herself living in misery. This story brings readers into the heart-wrenching decisions, painstaking moments and emotional turmoil endured by each of the women as they struggle to save themselves spiritually, physically and emotionally. They walk a fine line of favor with their masters. Should the women stay, or should they run, when the opportunity is staring them right in the face?
This story is unlike any other story I've read about slave women and children. Yes, I've heard the stories and knew these type things happened but never have I been drawn into the minds of the women that have lived this life. Themes of particular interest to me while reading this story were the relationship between the master's wife, Fran, and Lizzy. Lizzy's character is also of the most interest to me in that she was quite indecisive. I understood her indecision. I felt these women's pain and suffering. I also acknowledge the author's underlying message of the possible cause and evolvement of black-on-black prejudices.
After reading this story, I am even more deeply appreciative of the women before me. They suffered tremendously and if it weren't for them I would not be living the life I am today. Any time you read a story and you feel the emotions jumping from the pages, you've got a page turner. The history behind the Tawawa House and what the land is actually used for today is also quite interesting. I would have never known had I not read this book.
Based on this novel, I would read a second offering from Ms. Perkins-Valdez.
Suffering emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their "owners," the women grow weary, often dreaming of their and their children's freedom. While each of the women has a unique relationship with her respective master, Lizzy, Reenie, Sweet and Mawu share the bond of slavery and mistreatment. Despite the seeming perks each wench receives over all the other slaves at their home plantations, each woman still finds herself living in misery. This story brings readers into the heart-wrenching decisions, painstaking moments and emotional turmoil endured by each of the women as they struggle to save themselves spiritually, physically and emotionally. They walk a fine line of favor with their masters. Should the women stay, or should they run, when the opportunity is staring them right in the face?
This story is unlike any other story I've read about slave women and children. Yes, I've heard the stories and knew these type things happened but never have I been drawn into the minds of the women that have lived this life. Themes of particular interest to me while reading this story were the relationship between the master's wife, Fran, and Lizzy. Lizzy's character is also of the most interest to me in that she was quite indecisive. I understood her indecision. I felt these women's pain and suffering. I also acknowledge the author's underlying message of the possible cause and evolvement of black-on-black prejudices.
After reading this story, I am even more deeply appreciative of the women before me. They suffered tremendously and if it weren't for them I would not be living the life I am today. Any time you read a story and you feel the emotions jumping from the pages, you've got a page turner. The history behind the Tawawa House and what the land is actually used for today is also quite interesting. I would have never known had I not read this book.
Based on this novel, I would read a second offering from Ms. Perkins-Valdez.
59 of 62 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Hardcover
I could not put this book down. Rarely does a book capture my attention the way Wench did. After I started reading this book I left my chores undone, ignored the work on my desk and stayed up late at night reading. I have such mixed feelings about the pleasure I took in this book because it covers a horrible topic. Yet the author took such care telling the stories of four slave women forced into sexual relationships with their master. You must not miss the stories of Lizzie, Sugar, Reenie and Mawu. They share their lives with the reader and you come to care deeply about them before the reading is done. What the white masters did to these women is terrible yet the women handle it grace and strength that I myself do not have. My only hope is that the author plans a sequel because the story is just too good to end.
51 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Dr. Dolen Perkins-Valdez does a great job portraying the setting and the characters - providing details that bring the story to life, without being superlative. As I was reading, I shed several tears. I smiled some too - and, many times, I felt a host of mixed emotions concurrently. Perkins-Valdez does a great job of showing the complexity of humanity in her characters - allowing her readers to think about themselves in a very real manner. The novel compelled me to think about several issues in more intricate ways. The words led me to think about history and slavery, but also love and strength, in subtle yet powerful ways. I read a lot, and I have written a good deal too. I know that this much vitality in a novel is hard to find. I found Wench to be very well-done. I had a hard time putting it down. My only complaint is that I wasn't ready for it to end.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Interesting
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. I still really enjoy reading the story.
Published 13 days ago by dalexis123
5.0 out of 5 stars
super read.
The title best discribe the entire book. It was a super book to diffinately read. and discuss with others interested.
Published 13 days ago by eve ales
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
If you loved Django, you probably won't like this book. Unlike that movie, Wench is fiction that smoothly integrates history with a solid story line.
Published 17 days ago by kaybeezee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good read.
What these women went through is amazing. What perseverance! An inspiration to anybody in a difficult situation. It's a great read!
Published 29 days ago by Elaine Buck
3.0 out of 5 stars
I wasn't a fan.
It was just okay. I found this story to be frustrating. Some of the characters were quite wooden and the storylines I was most interested in weren't explored deeply enough for my... Read more
Published 1 month ago by N. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not a bad read
I didn't think this was a boring read; however, I felt the author left too much unsaid. I hated the ending.
Published 1 month ago by Marley Fan Mon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
This book was written well and I was amazed at how the dialogue was written between slaves or slave and master. Wish there was a part 2
Published 1 month ago by TIh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Story the wench
A real look into the south after the slaves were freed
About the order of honor and how they got around it
About the order of honor and how they got around it
Published 1 month ago by Annie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Riveting story.
So gripping and endearing I could not put it down. A must read for an unflinching account of history and the stories that have largely gone untold or have been silenced altogether.
Published 1 month ago by J. Montgomery
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting
This was an interesting read...there was a lot of historical background, which I liked. Not as good as some, and better than a lot.
Published 1 month ago by Mary R. Baran
