First the good part. The concept is fascinating--a resort in Ohio where white slave masters can take their black mistresses for a summer retreat from their plantations. We've all heard of Sally Hemings and are well aware that relationships took place between masters and slaves, and it was interesting to learn a little more about how these relationships could play out with such unbalanced power dynamics.Now the not so good. A couple of the characters had very interesting stories to tell. Unfortunately, I don't think we got to hear them. I could have read a whole book just about Mawu's experiences fighting back against her oppressors and learning to become a Voodoo priestess of sorts. But instead, the reader's entry point is Lizzie, perhaps the dullest member of the four friends, and certainly the one with the least forward motion in her story. I don't feel that the characters ever really came alive and made me feel. I'm pretty easily emotionally manipulated, and yet my eyes stayed dry during even what should have been the most heartbreaking parts of the book and the end fell flat. I'll just have to chalk this one up as an "almost" book, but it just didn't quite do it for me. First the good part. The concept is fascinating--a resort in Ohio where white slave masters can take their black mistresses for a summer retreat from their plantations. We've all heard of Sally Hemings and are well aware that relationships took place between masters and slaves, and it was interesting to learn a little more about how these relationships could play out with such unbalanced power dynamics.Now the not so good. A couple of the characters had very interesting stories to tell. Unfortunately, I don't think we got to hear them. I could have read a whole book just about Mawu's experiences fighting back against her oppressors and learning to become a Voodoo priestess of sorts. But instead, the reader's entry point is Lizzie, perhaps the dullest member of the four friends, and certainly the one with the least forward motion in her story. I don't feel that the characters ever really came alive and made me feel. I'm pretty easily emotionally manipulated, and yet my eyes stayed dry during even what should have been the most heartbreaking parts of the book and the end fell flat. I'll just have to chalk this one up as an "almost" book, but it just didn't quite do it for me.
What do You think about Wench (2010)?
I was so conflicted with this book...learned my lesson no to audio books. I enjoyed reading about the friendship between the women. Definitely can separate the background reality that they were sex slaves and the degree to which that can influence others perception of the book. However, the complexities of the theme were well addressed by the author in directing the attention to the main lady Lizzy....although not the strongest voice but one utilized to convey the message of simplicity and nativity...when indeed you just don't know any better. I was not too keen on the ending but can understand that although not one of the women knew true love...Mawu`s love for Lizzy allowed her to know forgiveness and know what it felt to have non sexual abusive love. Allowing them to be soul-sisters in her mind!!! Lovely!!!
—cp3la
This was a throw-away book that I picked up dirt cheap at a yard sale. The cover boasted that "if you liked The Help, you'll love this book!"This story follows 4 slave mistresses and their masters during their summers at a Northern resort in the 1850's. It's mostly a women's friendship book, which always annoy me. But it features lots and lots and lots of sadness, of course.It was eh. It didn't pack a punch or break any ground. It just seemed like another book. It'll be a yard sale book again.
—nictea
I loved this book.. I loaned it to my sister and haven't seen it since
—Maggie
Enjoyed the story but disappointing ending
—Nicole
