Conjure Women

A Novel

By: Afia Atakora

Narrated by: Adenrele Ojo

A mother and daughter with a shared talent for healing—and for the conjuring of curses—are at the heart of this dazzling first novel

WINNER OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS PRIZE • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times • NPR • Parade • Book Riot • PopMatters

“Lush, irresistible . . . It took me into the hearts of women I could otherwise never know. I was transported.”—Amy Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of White Houses and Away

Conjure Women is a sweeping story that brings the world of the South before and after the Civil War vividly to life. Spanning eras and generations, it tells of the lives of three unforgettable women: Miss May Belle, a wise healing woman; her precocious and observant daughter Rue, who is reluctant to follow in her mother’s footsteps as a midwife; and their master’s daughter Varina. The secrets and bonds among these women and their community come to a head at the beginning of a war and at the birth of an accursed child, who sets the townspeople alight with fear and a spreading superstition that threatens their newly won, tenuous freedom.

Magnificently written, brilliantly researched, richly imagined, Conjure Women moves back and forth in time to tell the haunting story of Rue, Varina, and May Belle, their passions and friendships, and the lengths they will go to save themselves and those they love.

LONGLISTED FOR THE CENTER FOR FICTION FIRST NOVEL PRIZE

“[A] haunting, promising debut . . . Through complex characters and bewitching prose, Atakora offers a stirring portrait of the power conferred between the enslaved women. This powerful tale of moral ambiguity amid inarguable injustice stands with Esi Edugyan’s Washington Black.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“An engrossing debut . . . Atakora structures a plot with plenty of satisfying twists. Life in the immediate aftermath of slavery is powerfully rendered in this impressive first novel.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

©2020 Afia Atakora (P)2020 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Afia Atakora brings the Civil War South to life so beautifully with Conjure Women, a heartbreaking joy to read.”—Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls

“If you are grieving for Toni Morrison, Afia Atakora is the young writer to read now: the kind of historical novelist who makes you believe she must have somehow seen the places she describes and known these characters herself. Her astonishing debut takes the reader to a Reconstruction-era Southern plantation, where two little girls—the enslaved child of the local healer and the planter’s cloistered daughter—become unlikely friends. Conjure Women illuminates an unfamiliar corner of Civil War history and brings to life an indelible character whose talents, from midwifery to voodoo, will yield her own unconventional path to power and freedom.”—Nell Freudenberger, author of Lost and Wanted

“In Conjure Women Afia Atakora masterfully centers two generations of women, folk healers who carry the secrets of their community while bearing the brunt of its antebellum past and its reconstructed present. Telling a gripping story at once grand and intimate, Atakora renders humanity in all its beautiful fits and flaws. Page after page, her voice announces itself like a thunderclap. The women in this novel will blessedly stick with you long after the last word has been read.”—Caleb Johnson, author of Treeborne

I loved this book!!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! I listened to the audio book which is read by the absolutely fantastic Adenrele Ojo. This is a 5 star performance! She did a great job of bringing these characters and story to life.
This is told in 3 storylines: 1867 Freedomtime (post Civil War), Slaverytime 1854 (pre Civil War) and Surrender 1865. There is the story of Rue, daughter of May belle. They are slaves, owned by Master (Marse) Charles. May Belle is known for her hoodoo and doctoring. She keeps the slaves healthy, long living and the babies alive and then there is Varina, daughter and disappointment of Master Charles and her mother. There are so many other great characters in this book that I loved a lot- Jonah, Ma Doe, Airey, Ol' Joel..They are all wonderful.
The story goes back and forth between these 3 main characters and weaves the most heart breaking, tragic and beautiful story. I have an extremely hard time with slavery, racism and all the horrors that go along with that. I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle or finish this book. I picked it up for the Hoodoo, I stayed for the characters. There was parts that were hard to hear (or read)but Rue and May Belle got me through it.
These characters are so beautiful. They are so real and human and complex. The struggle of daily life and the challenges they face, the relationships they form, Afia Atakora spins it together so beautifully and creates such a rich story. I can't wait to see what she does next. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this author.

Wonderful book all around

I truly enjoyed this book. It was very well written yet the narrative was complex and rich. The characters were multifaceted and carried a story of both strength and suffering.

A great plot about family and community

I thought this book described the characters, their development, and their familial relationships really well.The plot was always busy, although at times confusing because so much was happening. The book overall was enticing and kept me engaged.

Black women are the Blueprint.

This book depicts that statement perfectly.(My title to this review). I know this is a work of fiction, but I couldn't help but imagine what it was like living in those times. Black Women having birthed the people who built this country and kept it running and having to be every single persons "everything", counselor, midwife, etc, and to be subjected to SA, human trafficking etc. This book isn't explicit in its depiction of abuse, but just knowing my people actually suffered at the hands of people who couldn't even manage anything in their lives without us upsets me deeply. I love the complex way of the Conjure Women. I wish they knew their power. I pray for a rise in this era of powerful Conjure Women to set the world right! Awesome book, I would love to see a movie be created, and I would love to star in it(for real!!) God bless you all.

If you love history

This is story define rich vivid history with diversity of different character struggles. A must read.

LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!!!

I can't put into words how much I enjoyed this read. The ending was perfect!

Title is misleading

I was so excited to read this book with all the great reviews and was looking forward to a magical historical story rich in hoodoo which was only superficially sprinkled here and there.
While the author’s writing is very vivid, lush and poetic, there is barely any conjuring going on.
It had just a little bit of root work. The main character Rue made so many stupid decisions that she got on my last nerve so it was hard to care about or root for her.
And why would May Belle Rue’s mother make a tipsy turvy doll that seemed to bind her daughter to the slave masters daughter when she warned her that they are not friends?
It’s mostly about slavery and the immediate aftermath with a disappointing and tragic ending.
The book goes back and forth so much that it was confusing at times despite the headings of either “slavery time” or “freedom time”.
Maybe if the title were different then my expectations would not have ended in me feeling like I wasted my time and money.
This particular narrator though is excellent. I’ve listened to her narrate several books and she makes the books come alive. Sometimes the narrator can make or break an audiobook.

I loved this story!

I didn’t want it to end! The story was soooo good. The narrator was wonderful to listen to. And the ending! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 I just wanted more after the ending.

Good but hard to follow at times

I enjoyed it for the most part but wanted a better climax towards the end,...the history webbed throughout the story was great...but the back and forth made things a little hard

Kept Listening and Hoping….

Was hoping for a more intriguing story line. So much going on with so many sub plots that never seemed to be fully developed