Yellow Wife
by Sadeqa Johnson
My first thing that caught my attention about the book was the name Yellow wife; though i’m yet to still wrap my head round why the book is titled Yellow wife. Yellow wife is a book of survival; survival through hardship and manipulation. Hardship in all its forms (physical, mental and emotional hardship). This book stirred up different emotions in me.
A powerful story of Pheby Delores as the lead character. A young girl brought up on a white’s man plantation, shielded by her mother whose mission was to see to the freedom of her only child, but unfortunately, death came knocking and her dream of freedom for her child did not happen in her lifetime.
Delores shielded life came to an end after the death of her mother, she had to ‘grow up’ in terms of her strength and reasoning, trust me, Delores was a wise woman. She was sold into slavery, this time with no one to protect her but herself. I specifically like the part where she stood up for herself in the slave house and refuse to disrobe, though if not for the timely intervention of the white man who eventually bought her, her dress would have been forcible removed. But regardless, she spoke up.
Delores life fully began in her new master’s house as the master mistress. Her strength mentally and emotionally was tested. She fought a good fight for her children and the love of her life.
Yellow wife gives you a clear picture of slavery; get ready to be angry, upset and you may even shed a tear if you are like me. You will see slavery in all its ugly forms (sex slaves, zero rights, hard labor with little or wage)
It’s a good book, well written and detailed. I think it has a good ending, but you might disagree. Do well to read the book and share your thought with us. I’ll give it a rating of 4/5.
Ibukun Busari.