YELLOW WIFE

This emotional story follows the journey of Pheby, a teen living in 1800s Virginia, the daughter of a plantation owner and a medicine woman who was his mistress. Pheby has certain privileges and relative protection based on her status, but dramatic events bring life as she knows it to an abrupt end, and she is sent to a hellish jail to be auctioned as a “fancy girl” to the highest bidder. When the detestable Jailer chooses Pheby for himself, she must discover the limits of what she is willing to endure as his “yellow wife” in order to survive, and the lengths she will go to protect those dearest to her heart.
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When I think of the novels I’ve read about slavery, what stays with me is not only the horrific violence and degradation - but the heartbreaking and often intentional separation of loved ones. Yellow Wife addresses this with a kind of matter-of-factness that is powerfully affecting and quietly devastating. Central to this book is Pheby’s internal conflict: how can she reconcile living with a monster, playing her role in an abhorrent system - with her commitment to love, hope and freedom? An excellent pick for Black History Month and for book club discussion, this is a harrowing but enlightening story that deserves to move up your TBR.
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Early on, the Jailer plies Pheby with sweets, lasciviously watching her eat apple pie, as we are reminded how very young she is to be in this terrifying situation. I reimagined this pie as a tarte tatin, with caramelized apples to match the golden colors of the cover. This recipe is from @grandbabycakes - so many delicious treats on her fantastic blog!