The House of Eve, Sadeqa Johnson
The House of Eve, Sadeqa Johnson
33 Rating(s)
List: $25.99 | Sale: $17.15
Club: $12.99

The House of Eve

Bestseller

Author: Sadeqa Johnson

Narrator: Ariel Blake, Nicole Lewis, Sadeqa Johnson

Unabridged: 10 hr 37 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/07/2023


Synopsis

“Amazing…I was completely surprised by the ending of this beautifully told and written book.” —Reese Witherspoon

“A triumph of historical fiction” (The Washington Post), an instant New York Times bestseller, and a Reese’s Book Club pick, set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.

1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.

Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.

With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

About Sadeqa Johnson

Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of five novels. Her accolades include being the 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, and the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner. She is a Kimbilio Fellow and teaches in the MFA program at Drexel University. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives near Richmond, Virginia with her husband and three teens.  


Reviews

Goodreads review by Rosh ~catching up slowly~ on June 06, 2023

In a Nutshell: Works in bits and pieces but I wanted far more. Quite predictable. Covers important themes and certain elements of African-American history that I wasn’t aware of. Story Synopsis: 1948. Philadelphia. Fifteen year old Ruby, the illegitimate child of a self-obsessed single mom and raised......more

Goodreads review by Marilyn (not getting notifications) on February 15, 2023

4.5 stars! I was very excited to read The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson after having read her previous novel, The Yellow Wife. It was every bit as moving and compelling as I had hoped it would be. Sadeqa Johnson has proven to be a brilliant storyteller, in my opinion. The topics she covered and inc......more

Goodreads review by Vivian on May 06, 2024

5/5 ⭐️ x ♾️ I’m kicking myself for not reading this book sooner! It was a true masterpiece and I loved it so much. The author is actually from Philadelphia and I grew up in North Philly so I HAD to read this book! It takes place in 1950s Philadelphia and it is told in the POV of Ruby and Eleanor. Th......more

Goodreads review by Bookishrealm on March 07, 2023

Sadeqa Johnson has done it again. While I think that Yellow Wife is still my favorite out of the two, it is clear that Johnson has a knack for writing historical fiction. She is definitely an autobuy author for me at this point. CW: racism, colorism, classism, miscarriage, death due to abortion (not......more

Goodreads review by Karen on March 15, 2023

I really enjoyed this and was immediately wrapped up in the story. Alternating chapters for Ruby and Eleanor.. two black girls growing up in the 1950’s. Ruby from Philadelphia, Eleanor from Washington D.C.. The boundaries of reproductive choices, color, class, and education and themes in this emotional......more


Quotes

"Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis provide an excellent dual narration of this fascinating look at two young Black women who confront racial, class, and gender inequities in the 1950s. Blake captivates as 15-year-old Rosa, who is striving for a college scholarship to escape her poor Philadelphia neighborhood and her mother, who chooses her boyfriends over her. Lewis superbly portrays Eleanor, originally from small-town Ohio, who navigates Howard University's competitive environment, as well as a fraught relationship with her mother-in-law, whose condescending views are unsettling. Both narrators excel at conveying the dialogue of the large supporting cast, with Blake's portrayal of Rosa's Aunt Marie's tough yet tender personality a standout. Listeners will be fully engaged as Rosa and Eleanor face their many challenges."