Wench

Set in 1850s Ohio at a summer resort called Tawawa House, Wench follows four enslaved women who travel there as companions to their enslavers. The main character, Lizzie, develops complex relationships with the other women while grappling with her connection to her enslaver. The resort serves as a unique backdrop where enslaved women from southern plantations are brought north each summer by white men. Against this setting, the women form bonds and share their experiences, though each has different views on freedom and loyalty. The novel takes place over multiple summers as the characters deal with changes at the resort and in their lives. Relationships evolve and tensions mount as the women face choices about their futures. Through its exploration of these women's lives, the novel examines themes of power, autonomy, and the psychological complexities of relationships formed under the institution of slavery. The work raises questions about different forms of bondage - both physical and emotional.

Readers describe this as an emotionally heavy but compelling look at the complex relationships between enslaved women and their enslavers. Many note the book's unflinching portrayal of trauma while appreciating how it illuminates an under-discussed historical reality. Readers praised: - The depth given to each character's internal struggles - Historical details about resort life in Ohio - The strong bonds between the women characters - Clean, straightforward writing style Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, especially in the middle sections - Some character decisions felt unrealistic - Wanted more resolution for certain plotlines - Found some scenes unnecessarily graphic Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (900+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (200+ ratings) "Haunting but necessary" appears frequently in reviews, with many readers noting they had to take breaks while reading due to the emotional intensity of the subject matter.

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🌟 Wench was inspired by a historical resort called Tawawa House in Ohio, where Southern slaveholders actually vacationed with their enslaved mistresses in the 1850s 📚 The author spent over four years researching and writing the novel, diving deep into historical archives, slave narratives, and period documents 🏛️ Tawawa House later became Wilberforce University, one of America's oldest private, historically Black universities 💌 The complex relationships between enslaved women and their masters were often documented in letters and diaries, which Perkins-Valdez used to create authentic character dynamics 🌿 The book's setting in Ohio was particularly significant because it was a free state, creating a stark contrast between freedom and bondage for the enslaved women who visited there