Wench is the story of Lizzie, a slave woman from the South who, every summer, is taken to a “resort” of sorts where white men bring their slaves, the men for the normal work and the women to warm their beds at night. The slave women are treated as if they are white and also get to experience, for the first time for many of them, seeing freed blacks.
I thought the book was well written. I felt Lizzie’s pain and could understand her indecision. The choices being placed before her were choices that no one should have to make. Where the book disappointed me a bit more was that, in a blurb of praise on the front, Wench is described as being “.. story that explores the emotional lives of four slave women.. ” by Lalita Tademy. I thought that this would be more along the lines of learning about these women, as stated in the jacket cover, and was disappointed to find myself only really learning about Lizzie.
I want to also say that this cover is probably one of the most beautiful ones I’ve seen this year. It fits the book completely and the name of the book is perfectly chosen. It’s an easy read as well, I picked it up and finished it in an afternoon of reading.
I really want to read this. I keep hearing that it is a fantastic book. Good review.
I’ve seen this one around the blogosphere. I really want to read it, it sounds great.