When I was on vacation recently, I had the opportunity to read a fascinating and eye-opening book. Wench, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (on sale in January 2010) is the story of three female slave mistresses and the friendship they built despite living in a period of oppression. Every summer, slaveholders would take their slave mistresses to a place called “Tawawa House”, a resort in Ohio that had a main building and several cottages where the slave master and slave mistress would co-exist as a couple. It was very well known, yet a very well kept secret.
Wench focuses on three women, Lizzie, Reenie and Sweet, who each year along with their slave masters would reside in Tawawa House. These women built a lasting bond and always looked forward to seeing each other. They were content and enjoyed their time at Tawawa House…they were in short, “happy”…or so they thought. Along comes a fourth slave mistress named Mawu, who rocks their standard way of living and thinking. She also plants the idea of something very forbidden…escape to freedom. When a tragedy strikes the resort, the lives of Lizzie, Reenie and Sweet are never quite the same.
What I appreciated about Wench is the way in which the author really captured the lives and thoughts of these women. Dolen Perkins-Valdez removes their masks and taps into their very soul. It made you see that (in their minds) they confused little liberties with being truly happy and free. While they may have had the ability to read (a skill that slaves were not allowed to have) or didn’t have to do as many chores as the other slaves on the plantation, they were still dehumanized and degraded. In addition, this book really made you feel like you were there in that period of our country’s history, experiencing the highs and many lows in their lives. I could not put this book down.
I am SO excited about this book that I would love to hear your comments. I will send free copies of Wench to the 12 lucky people who send us a comment or an email at librarylovefest at harpercollins dot com. If you would be so kind as to send a brief review of the book, I would greatly appreciate it! I hope you find Wench as revealing and heartbreaking as I have.
Enjoy!
-Bobby
Why not a movie? The Help, which I just saw was wonderful. My book club, The Ladies of the Lakes, read this book and all went to the movie. A movie of The Wench, is another, best seller and what a movie, it could be.
Nancy Manion,
Dublin, Ohio
Posted by: Nancy Manion | August 30, 2011 at 03:20 PM
I finished reading my copy this week (thanks so much)... it was thoroughly engrossing, and the characters (Reenie, Mawu, Sweet, and Lizzie) will stay with you long after you close its covers.
Posted by: Tracey | January 6, 2010 at 12:42 PM
How do you say, "pick me, pick me!" without sounding inane?
I'll risk it.
Posted by: Tamiko | January 2, 2010 at 11:14 PM
Thanks for this post. It's a terrific book.
Posted by: Hans | December 27, 2009 at 01:35 PM
The city where I live in Ohio is noted as a station on the Underground Railroad. The Anti-Slavery movement was very strong here, too. I would be very interested in reading and reviewing it.
Posted by: June Drotleff | December 12, 2009 at 03:53 PM
I am captivated with this story. It would be wonderful during my time off this break. Thanks for featuring Wench.
Posted by: ruth | December 7, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Wench sounds wonderful and compelling. It would be great to read and review this novel. thanks for this chance.
Posted by: anne | December 7, 2009 at 10:59 AM
Sounds like a great possibility for my book club. Count me in!
Posted by: bookclubdiva | December 5, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I would love to read Wench - historical ficiton at its finest, it sounds...
Posted by: Pam | December 4, 2009 at 05:50 PM
This book sounds interesting...different from what I normally read. I'd love to give it a try and send you a review.
Posted by: Shannon | December 4, 2009 at 04:10 PM
Wench sounds like my favorite type of historical fiction. I'd love to have a copy
Jennifer McKenzie
San Diego County Library
5555 Overland Ave., Ste 1511
San Diego, CA 92123
Posted by: Jennifer McKenzie | December 4, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Sounds like a great read! I'd love to get my hands on it during winter vacation!
Posted by: Todd Grooten | December 4, 2009 at 03:10 PM
I'd love to read and report on this book for you. It sounds exactly like my kind of literature and I see that my library doesn't have it on order yet.
Sally Bissell, MA-LIS
South County Regional Library
21100 Three Oaks Parkway
Estero, FL 33928
Posted by: Sally Bissell | December 4, 2009 at 11:56 AM