Sadeqa Johnson: A Review

 Sadeqa Johnson: A Review 

(Sadeqa Johnson)

Who Is She?

Sadeqa Johnson is an African American woman who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and has moved to Virginia "with her husband and three children (Biography)." She is a New York Times Bestselling Author of multiple novels, The House of Eve for example, and has shown that working with other well-known authors like "J.K. Rowling [and] Amy Tan" has paid off (Biography). As a primarily contemporary writer, she only dabbles with historical fiction from time to time. One of her historical novels, Yellow Wife, has also won multiple awards showing her ability and sheer gift as a writer.

(The House of Eve Cover)

The House of Eve

The House of Eve is a historical novel set in the 1950s with two young African American women as the protagonist; "Ruby who is 15 and Elenor, a college sophomore" face challenges through classism and colorism while making their way through each of their lives (Washington). Sadeqa demonstrates how the two young women similarly value education and use it to achieve a better life. A life that includes family, careers, and love.

Within The Washington Post article by Carole V. Bell, it breaks down the novel in a rapidly intimate way, exposing how the novel showcases grief, forgiveness, determination, identity, and more throughout the intertwining stories. To dive further into Eleanor's story, her romance "exposes the colorism and classism ingrained in Black elite institutions (Washington)." Bell elaborates by introducing the idea of Eleanor feeling as if she is an outsider, more so as if her identity as a working-class woman affects her relationships at the school. Bell explains in the article that Sadeqa "effectively attends to Ruby's and Eleanor's [lives and circumstances]" (Washington). However, leaves readers with unsolved questions between the happenings in the stories. 

 

(Yellow Wife Cover)

Yellow Wife

Yellow Wife is also a historical novel, however this novel was set in the 1850s and inspired by a very real "Mary Lumpkin" who in the novel is portrayed as Pheby (Bryce). In this captivating page turner, readers witness what it was like to be a concubine in this era who needed to do what needed to be done in order to survive. Pheby, our main character is a lighter skinned African American woman who's day-to-day life is a drama full of "conflict and tragedy", at times, romance, but most of all realism (Bryce).  

An article by Denny Bryce admits the Yellow Wife consists of "great sadness, but it also speaks lovingly of motherhood" (Bryce). While Bryce is quick to cover topics that are widely known in regards to the book, they are reluctant to address bigger issues within the novel.  For instance, Bryce states that Yellow Wife was "well-paced," whereas I believe the novel was fast paced in order to refrain readers from sitting on difficult events during the timeline.  

Personal Reflection

Overall, I believe Sadeqa Johnson to be an intriguing writer to whom I have added to my reading agenda. Her historical fiction novels like The House of Eve and Yellow Wife provide readers insight on the lives of African American women in history. Through my research on Sadeqa, I have gathered her work has had a common theme of identity, societal issues, determination, and the struggle for a better life. Her work on these two novels have challenged readers to think about the struggles and complexities of African American women in regards to race, gender, and power. 

Citations

“Biography.” Sadeqa, www.sadeqa.net/bio. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.

Bryce, Denny S. “There’s Pain and Tragedy in ‘Yellow Wife’ - but Also Great Joy.” NPR, NPR, 17 Jan.     2021, www.npr.org/2021/01/17/956885476/theres-pain-and-tragedy-in-yellow-wife-but-also-great-        joy.

The House of Eve Historical Novel by Sadeqa Johnson - the Washington ..., www.washingtonpost.com/books/2023/02/07/historical-fiction-house-of-eve-review/. Accessed 10 Feb. 2024.