Wench

A Novel

De: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Narrado por: Quincy Tyler Bernstine

An ambitious and startling debut novel that follows the lives of four women at a resort popular among slaveholders who bring their enslaved mistresses.

wench \'wench\ n. from Middle English "wenchel," 1 a: a girl, maid, young woman; a female child.

Tawawa House in many respects is like any other American resort before the Civil War. Situated in Ohio, this idyllic retreat is particularly nice in the summer when the Southern humidity is too much to bear. The main building, with its luxurious finishes, is loftier than the white cottages that flank it, but then again, the smaller structures are better positioned to catch any breeze that may come off the pond. And they provide more privacy, which best suits the needs of the Southern white men who vacation there every summer with their black, enslaved mistresses. It's their open secret.

Lizzie, Reenie, and Sweet are regulars at Tawawa House. They have become friends over the years as they reunite and share developments in their own lives and on their respective plantations. They don't bother too much with questions of freedom, though the resort is situated in free territory, but when truth-telling Mawu comes to the resort and starts talking of running away, things change.

To run is to leave behind everything these women value most - friends and families - still down South, and for some it also means escaping from the emotional and psychological bonds that bind them to their masters. When a fire on the resort sets off a string of tragedies, the women of Tawawa House soon learn that triumph and dehumanization are inseparable and that love exists even in the most inhuman, brutal of circumstances, all while they are bearing witness to the end of an era.

An engaging and wholly original novel, Wench explores, with an unflinching eye, the moral complexities of slavery.

©2010 Dolen Perkins-Valdez (P)2010 HarperCollins Publishers

Fascinating and disturbing, an amazing debut...

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.

Good but lagging plot

it was a good story. I did struggle to finish. but I'm glad i did.

CAPTIVATING and HEARTBREAKING TRUTH about SLAVERY

A Beautifully narrated and Artiscally written novel that makes you visualize the events, smells, tastes and emotions of the era. It honestly tells the horrors of slavery and the necessary bonds formed among enslaved women. A rich, rich, rch and Heartbreaking story. ..

A good read

Anything Dolen Perkins-Valdez puts out I’m reading! Love her work. Great story. Quick read

Just Ok

I really like books of this type and i was following pretty good until it ended very flatly. I wanted more resolution of characters.. I guess i will just use my imagination....ohh well

Great book great story

This book was really good to read and kept the reader engaged and curious as to what unfolded next.

An Intimate Read

This story explores the psychological bonds between slaves and their masters and slaves and their friends. At times, it was very difficult to listen to, though I am glad I did. What was happening back then is shameful and difficult to face, making the story heart wrenching. I will say, I was disappointed with the ending. It felt a bit abrupt.

AWESOME!!

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.

New thoughts

I like books about cultures I don't know and this was one. A vacation spot for slave owners and their concubines was new to me, especially in Ohio. The author did a good job of covering a wide spectrum of thuoght by both slaves and owners and the ending was very realistic and beliveable.

WOW.....

What made the experience of listening to Wench the most enjoyable?

The soothing and rich voice

What other book might you compare Wench to and why?

Cane River.....because of the cultural connotations

Which character – as performed by Quincy Tyler Bernstine – was your favorite?

Hard to say

If you could rename Wench, what would you call it?

Wouldn't Rename it....

Any additional comments?

Do Read!