The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson – 384 pages
ARC from Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an honest review
Book Blurb:
1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright
Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done. With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.
My Review: 4.5 stars
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson was a welcoming deep dive into motherhood, classism, agency and womanhood in this country. I was a huge fan of Johnson’s 2021 release, The Yellow Wife, which was an extremely popular book club pick and I have no doubt this one will follow in those same footsteps.
The book speaks to Black women’s resiliency, strengths, insecurities, and the price paid for a proper education. The two MCs are Ruby, a bright, young girl who finds herself in an illicit romance and Eleanor, a poor college student who falls in love with a high-society grad student. I appreciated the Jewish representation from a minor character called Shimmy. He should have his own book!
I was completely invested in both of their stories, but it was Ruby that had me in tears. Her background broke me, and I was so proud of her perseverance. I can assure you that there were a few characters I wanted to slap across the face which was a testament to great storytelling. Even better was the literary Easter egg the author gave us by offering a cameo from Pheby from The Yellow Wife.
I really enjoyed the Washington, D.C. setting as I grew up in a suburb not far away. It was eye opening to see the city portrayed in the early 1950s. There is a lot to unpack in this one and I’m certain that readers will love it!
Quotes I liked:
Art is the friend that you can always return to.”
“Our secret was fragrant, filled with notes of out connection.”
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