The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
Raised in a post-World War II Philadelphia, Ruby learns early on that she must get an education to get out. Her family’s expectations and struggles are often in conflict with Ruby’s goals, but she knows it’s her only way not to repeat the life that her own mother is living, a life that has already caused Ruby so much pain.
One hundred- and forty-miles south Eleanor is living Ruby’s dream, getting an education at one of the most prominent black colleges in the country, Howard University. But even though Eleanor seems confident in her studies and her work in the campus library she too is fighting to shed something, believing education is also her way to escape.
Presented in dual timelines we follow each of these women in the pursuit of education, the embrace of romance and the constant pressure from a society that continues to oppress them especially when it comes to reproduction. These women although foreign to each other possess unique amounts of strength, determination and courage that eventually place them on crossed paths that impact their lives immensely.
Raised outside of Philly my heart soared seeing familiar words like scrapple, Cheyney University and Wannamakers in the Ruby chapters. I loved Ruby’s love of books, her loyalty to her family, her description of the nuns as well as her tenacity and innocence. Ruby is a character who’s story could transcend many novels, as we see her at the end of this one, her story is only just beginning.
Currently living outside of D.C. I appreciated the beautiful descriptions of our nation’s capital, and its surrounding stately neighborhoods. I especially enjoyed the relationship Eleanor had with her boss, Mrs. Porter, at the library. I believe it’s her advice that she gave Eleanor on page 171 “The way to hold onto a healthy marriage is to hold on to those pieces that make you you.” is not only appropriate for 1950 but for 2023 and beyond as well.
Can’t recommend this enough, especially to those of you who love historical fiction, stories about strong women and those of you lucky enough to know what scrapple is.
To get your copy of The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson click here: Bookshop.org
To read about what scrapple is click here: scrapple
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I however am not an affiliate for scrapple, except that I was raised in Philadelphia, where scrapple is endorsed regularly.