Wench: A Novel

I really enjoyed the audio Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez from Audible.com. Quincy Tyler Bernstine did such an amazing job narrating this and capturing and expressing the varying emotions of the characters. Quincy was really able to effectively present each character in a way that was relatable and gave me, as a reader, a real feel for that time period.
I thought Wench was an amazing debut novel. It tells the story of Tawana House, an American resort located in Ohio just before the Civil War. Tawana House was frequented by quite a few southern plantation owners who brought their slave mistresses with them which caused quite a bit of gossip for the northerners. Wench mainly focuses on the story of 4 particular women who are brought to Tawana House by their owners. Lizzie, Reenie, and Sweet, who have visited several times, are introduced to Mawu, whose unpredictable behavior and blunt honesty help the others to face some truths and begin to feel things they have never allowed themselves to feel. Most of all, hope.
One of the things that fascinated me the most was that Tawawa House actually existed. I guess that shouldn’t be so surprising, but I can see how learning about this place could inspire someone as talented as this author to tell its story. And I felt that Dolen Perkins-Valdez told it brilliantly. Even presenting such a painful subject as slavery and all the horrors that accompany it, while at times it was uncomfortable to read about, the characters were so engaging that I wanted to know their stories, however painful they may be. I was intrigued by the concept that, although these women were forced into a carnal relationship with their “owners” and even to have their children, some of the women considered themselves to be in love. The dynamic between all involved was as fascinating as it was disturbing. I was definitely presented with perspectives I had never before considered.

The booked started off great. It maintained my interest until the very end. However, the book ended as if it were moving on to the next chapter. The final chapter dropped off like the author ran out of time. The terrible end ruined the book.

I am an avid reader and audile listener, I found this book reviting, moving, and explosive! I would highly recommend this book to any reader interested in learning about the history of this country and seeking a realistic look into slavery. I was left speechless!

Do not hesitate to get this book! Excellent book and excellent narration!
I will read it again!!

I have enjoyed all my books. This one is up there with the best of them.

The characters. All were well developed and the narrator managed to give each their unique personalities.

She brought the story alive.

I totally enjoyed this book. It was emotional, sometimes humorous and highly entertaining. Totally recommend!

The Reader was Excellent! Story was ok and I did enjoy the book It is just that I've read this kind of thing before. The other thing I would mention is the book is not a feel good kind of read I always felt a little sad while reading and even a short while after turning it off. So If you need a pick me up put this on off for a while, but still read because we should know how bad it is in bondage I feel it is worth the read and everyone should know the truth.

This is a genre that I particularly enjoy, so I had high hopes for Wench. I thought it was solid literary fiction, but nothing exceptional, albeit an intriguing topic. The character development was flat as I had difficulty sorting out the slave women and masters until the focus shifted to one particular slave/master relationship. The book ended very abruptly. As a matter of fact, it seemed like Perkins-Valdez couldn't figure out how to end it and thus took a wimpy way out. If you would like to read a book of this ilk, I would highly recommend The Kitchen House. Wench is not bad, it's just not that good.

I love period fiction so this story had my attention right off. While stories about slavery can be difficult to hear the history involved intrigued me. The characters were very entertaining & the narrator did an excellent job. However the ending seemed like the author just ran out of steam & decided to end the story.

An awesome story about the intricate, complicated relationships during American slavery. The author captures the reader forcing us to be an onlooker into these lives. I felt transported back in time.
The actress delivery of the story was beautiful. I enjoyed how she changed her voice ever so slightly but naturally as though becoming each character.

i struggled to finish this book full of pain porn. another slavery story with nothing to redeem it. the main character ruined the story.