The Yellow Wife

A Novel

By: Sadeqa Johnson

Narrated by: Robin Miles

A Best Book of the Year by NPR and Christian Science Monitor

Called “wholly engrossing” by New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Grissom, this “fully immersive” (Lisa Wingate, #1 bestselling author of Before We Were Yours) story follows an enslaved woman forced to barter love and freedom while living in the most infamous slave jail in Virginia.

Born on a plantation in Charles City, Virginia, Pheby Delores Brown has lived a relatively sheltered life. Shielded by her mother’s position as the estate’s medicine woman and cherished by the Master’s sister, she is set apart from the others on the plantation, belonging to neither world.

She’d been promised freedom on her eighteenth birthday, but instead of the idyllic life she imagined with her true love, Essex Henry, Pheby is forced to leave the only home she has ever known. She unexpectedly finds herself thrust into the bowels of slavery at the infamous Devil’s Half Acre, a jail in Richmond, Virginia, where the enslaved are broken, tortured, and sold every day. There, Pheby is exposed not just to her jailer’s cruelty but also to his contradictions. To survive, Pheby will have to outwit him, and she soon faces the ultimate sacrifice.

©2021 Sadeqa Johnson. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

NPR Best Book of 2021

Christian Science Monitor Best Book of 2021

Exciting and Suspenseful

Although I struggled to finish reading, it was because I became anxious for the characters. The secrets, lies, escapes, and more caused me to put the book down anticipating the worse.

Hard, but important story

I knew this was going to be a difficult listen, but it was well worth it. The experience of so many enslaved women sexually exploited by their enslavers and others is a hard truth that deserves to be acknowledged and not ignored. I thought the reader did an incredible job of conveying the deep emotions of Phoebe’s journey. You could hear and feel her pain and while that wasn’t always easy, it was important. I highly recommend this book.

A story of strength and bravery

Parts of this story were so tough to listen to that it have to pause and allow myself time to cry or breathe. The author did a brilliant job of writing and telling this heartbreaking story. The main character surpassed any bravery I could ever imagine. Although it wasn’t an easy listen, it was a book I’m happy to have heard. It was beautifully written and I will definitely seek out more books by this author.

Amazing

This book was absolutely amazing. I learned so much about a time in history that I didn't really know much about. I was especially pleased with the author's note at the end of the book. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

I couldn’t stop listening .

This is an amazing story of how love conquers hate. Interesting to find out it was based on a real place. Some parts of this book were difficult to listen to but I had to know what happened next.

interesting read, heartbreaking and triumphant

I was intrigued by the story. My heart was with Phoebe the entire time. It was especially meaningful to know this is based on a true story.

What a phenomenal storyline

What a phenomenal storyline that is told beautifully. while it is so hard to read, it is so important we know about this part of history. The author does a fantastic job painting this historical fiction.

Great Read!

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book! A love Robin Miles as a narrator so I knew the performance would be great. I live in the Richmond area so it was nice to hear about landmarks and streets that I know very well and some of the history behind them (especially Virginia Union University). Such a great story!

Excellent read!

I enjoyed every minute of this book! There was never a dull moment and it made me feel each and every emotion! I could not stop listening. My only rant is that I wished that the men and a few other characters had different readers but other than that I loved it!

Absolutely Amazing Writing

I applaud the author on his detailed account of her portrayal of what life was like in those days. It did not disappoint