Wench
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
January 2010
293 pages
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FTC: IBI (you use an acronym, I use an acronym, and you get to figure it out)
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From the publisher’s website:
wench \’wench\ n. from Middle English “wenchel,” 1 a: a girl, maid, young woman; a female child.
Tawawa House in many respects is like any other American resort before the Civil War. Situated in Ohio, this idyllic retreat is particularly nice in the summer when the Southern humidity is too much to bear. The main building, with its luxurious finishes, is loftier than the white cottages that flank it, but then again, the smaller structures are better positioned to catch any breeze that may come off the pond. And they provide more privacy, which best suits the needs of the Southern white men who vacation there every summer with their black, enslaved mistresses. It’s their open secret.
Lizzie, Reenie, and Sweet are regulars at Tawawa House. They have become friends over the years as they reunite and share developments in their own lives and on their respective plantations. They don’t bother too much with questions of freedom, though the resort is situated in free territory–but when truth-telling Mawu comes to the resort and starts talking of running away, things change.
To run is to leave behind everything these women value most–friends and families still down South–and for some it also means escaping from the emotional and psychological bonds that bind them to their masters. When a fire on the resort sets off a string of tragedies, the women of Tawawa House soon learn that triumph and dehumanization are inseparable and that love exists even in the most inhuman, brutal of circumstances–all while they are bearing witness to the end of an era.
An engaging, page-turning, and wholly original novel, Wench explores, with an unflinching eye, the moral complexities of slavery.
While this book features the stories of the above-mentioned four women, Lizzie is truly the focus. The story goes back in time so that we learn of Lizzie’s childhood, her privileged status as a house slave, the attention she receives from her master, and the complicated relationship she has with him. I think this is the strength (well, one of the strengths) of this book. While it’s easy for the reader to see how ill-treated Lizzie is, all Lizzie knows is that her master is the father of her children, the man she loves. While the other women have reason to run, it is harder for Lizzie to cut the bonds that tie her to the plantation. Deep down Lizzie knows she is a slave, but she remains optimistic that her master will free their children.
Interspersed with Lizzie’s story are the stories of the summers spent at Tawawa House. As Lizzie connects with Reenie, Sweet and Mawu the reader catches glimpses of their lives, both at Tawawa House and how they are each treated by their masters. Despite the (dubious) privilege of summering with their masters, these women remain chattel, subject to rapes and beatings. However, they forge close bonds with each other and form a family, of sorts, offering support as needed. And as they each seek freedom in different ways, Lizzie slowly comes to realize what freedom means to her.
This is a fantastic novel, providing an engrossing story and a very different setting and point of view. It’s definitely worth buying (even in hardcover), but I’ll take pity on one of you and pass on my gently used copy. Just let me know if you’re interested, and I’ll pick its next lucky reader later this week.
I’ve heard really good things about this book! I hope I get to read it soon. I’d love to be entered in your giveaway! It sounds like a really different take on slavery and the whole white man-black mistress thing that is often not given much attention.
Aarti´s last blog ..Order of Odd-Fish Party
Thanks for the great review (as usual). I’d love to enter the giveaway
Thanks.
A Bookshelf Monstrosity´s last blog ..Songs about Librarians
This is the first I heard about this book and it does sound interesting–a different perspective on a familiar story. Thank you for your great review, Jill.
Literary Feline´s last blog ..Review: The Fifth Servant by Kenneth Wishnia
I have a feeling this book is going to be big! I’d love to be entered for your copy.
Kathy´s last blog ..Review: Lone Star Legend
I hadn’t heard of this one either, but it sounds absolutely fascinating!
gentle reader´s last blog ..Booking Through Thursday–Favorite Unknown
Ooh, I’m definitely interested. I went from hearing nothing about this novel to suddenly hearing a lot of very positive buzz in a very short amount of time.
Jen – Devourer of Books´s last blog ..The Boleyn Wife – Book Review
I can’t wait to read this one…thanks for the review!
Jo-Jo´s last blog ..Teaser Tuesday-Jan. 26
I don’t think I would read it but it did clear up what the meaning of “wench” was. I thought it had a more negative connotation.
Jenners´s last blog ..Giveaway: Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor
Would say it’s better than The Help? If you say it is, I’d love to be entered in your virtual hat!
mee´s last blog ..Happy Australia Day 2010
I think this book sounds great and I had no idea ‘wench’ had a different meaning! What a lovely cover too! I’d love to recieve your gently used copy! Thanks for hosting a giveaway! amusedbybooks@gmail.com
Amused´s last blog ..One Lovely Blog Award!
I’ve heard some outstanding things about this book and would just LOVE to read it. Great review, too.
veronica´s last blog ..Confessions – St. Augustine
Wow, I had a completely different idea in my mind of what this book was about, from the title – it looks really good though!
Jenny´s last blog ..The Moonflower Vine, Jetta Carleton
Oh this looks great!
Pam´s last blog ..Book List: What 3 fictional worlds do you want to hang out in?
What a different way to look at slavery. It’s nice (relatively speaking that is) to see something outside of the confines of the plantation or the fields of the Civil War. It seems like a more lady-way of exploring it all. If that makes sense. . .
Oh! Please enter me into your giveaway! Yay for awesome books!
She´s last blog ..Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro
This book is up right after O, Juliet. I cannot wait. I’ve heard such great things about it. Your word makes me even more excited.
What’s up with the acronym. I don’t like to think you know.
Literate Housewife´s last blog ..Where Has This Book Been My Whole Life?
I skipped right to the last paragraph because i have the book here to read next month. Can’t wait. I’ll be back later to read your review.
Beth F´s last blog ..Review: The Book of Fires by Jane Borodale
I want it, I want it, I want it!
Lisa´s last blog ..The Book List Meme – January 26
This book sounds really good. I’m definitely interested in reading it. My only question is how exactly does the title (wench) relate to the story?
I’m glad to see you liked it. I have it coming up to read.
Darlene´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday (Jan 27)
I think off late everyone is reading this one! Look on GoodReads!
Sounds good.
Enter me for the drawing too! thank you very much
givingreadingachance AT gmail.com
thanks for the opportunity to read ‘your’ book….
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I already have it so need to enter me but I’m feeing optimistic about reading it.
Amy @ My Friend Amy´s last blog ..Faith’n’ Fiction Saturday: Why Read?