Thanks NetGalley for the ARC of The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
I read her novel the Yellow Wife and loved it! So I was excited to receive this book to read and it did not disappoint. Another novel that I could not out down. Very well written and researched, characters well developed, great narrative, you feel like you are part of the novel. Can't wait for Sadeqa's next book.
The novel is written about 2 main characters Eleanor and Ruby, both black women making their way through school. Ruby is 14 and completing grade 10 and part of a We Rise program where she could potentially earn a four year university scholarship. Eleanor is in university, struggling to make ends meet, comes from a good family but limited income, she spends all her time working or studying. Both these young women meet a man, fall in love, get pregnant, and have some tough life decisions to make.
The author alternates each chapter between the two main characters
I love how the story of two very different women, both finding themselves with child or wanting a child, have been weaved together. How close they are yet how far, and how they unknowingly come together at the end of the novel. It is a novel of choices and dealing with consequences, love and heartache.

The House of Eve tells the tale of the two parallel lives of Ruby and Eleanor, who live in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. of the late 1940s, early 1950s, respectively. Each of them are bright, young black women whose promising lives are on a collision course with life-changing obstacles.
Ruby, a high-school student with a talent for art and the ambition to become not only the first in her family to go to college but also to become a medical doctor, is making her way through an advanced program that may lead to a full scholarship. That is, until she meets Shimmy, an irresistibly charming young Jewish man.
Eleanor, meanwhile, attends Howard University and becomes passionate about her archivist work in the campus library. She's focused on school until William, a medical student, walks into her life. They marry, throwing Ohio-born Eleanor into the path of his image-obsessed mother.
I found The House of Eve to be a satisfying read. It's told in a straightforward style that allows for moments of lyricism, but not overly so. Settings and characters are still sharply defined, but from the perspective of the two characters who can sometimes feel as though they are relating the facts of an event rather than participating in those moments. This means that for me, the emotional weight of specific scenes stand out in relief, especially those in which the two women interacted with their respective love interests. In was in those moments that I became emotional.
The other high point of the prose style was the fact that it was accessible enough for me to get swept up in the tale. I was never quite sure, for most of the narrative, where it was leading, but I felt myself rooting for the two main characters every step of the way.

The House of Eve is a captivating historical novel set in the late '40s/early '50s that delves into issues relating to motherhood, marriage, pregnancy loss, teen pregnancy and homes for unwed mothers from the perspective of two young black women.

Eleanor Quarles is an ambitious young student at Howard University who meets and marries a doctor from one of Washington, DC's elite wealthy black families. Her new mother-in-law doesn't approve of Eleanor's blue-collar, rural background and Eleanor hopes that having a child will help her to fit in with her husband's family. Ruby Pearsall is a young teenager in Philadelphia growing up in poverty who dreams of being the first person in her family to attend college. She was chosen to participate in a program that could pay her college tuition but falling in love with the wrong young man puts her future in jeopardy.

The House of Eve is a beautifully written, thoroughly researched and empathetic look at the difficult choices relating to motherhood faced by young women in the 1950s and the impact that racism had on these choices. A memorable historical novel inspired by the author's own family history - emotional and enlightening!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I read Johnson's earlier book - Yellow Wife - and loved it. I rushed to read this, her latest, with the same anticipation and hope. She did not disappoint and it does help that I also enjoy reading historical fiction. The title - The House of Eve - is premised on institutions established to accept women who are pregnant outside of wedlock. The name is designed to reflect Eve, the first mother. More importantly, this book is a study of two characters - Ruby and Eleanor; their stories and perspectives are told in alternating chapters.

Ruby is a young girl with hopes of a college education and a ticket out of menial jobs and a poverty-stricken existence as is the case with her family. Ruby is fortunate to be selected as part of a cohort of twelve students in the "We Rise" program competing for two full scholarships. Her teacher reminds Ruby that "potential without focus and full commitment bears no fruit" and encourages her to make the effort. While Ruby's mother is busy focussing on her relationship with a boyfriend, Ruby's Aunt Marie encourages Ruby to forge ahead. But Ruby is distracted by a love affair with a white Jewish boy; this passion leads to a pregnancy which can upstage Ruby's dreams and ambitions.

Eleanor, on the other hand, is introduced to the reader while she is at Howard University. Eleanor's mom bakes through the night and delivers her delectables to raise money to facilitate Eleanor's education. Eleanor tries to bolster the cost through varied jobs; one of which is at the university's archive section of the library. She meets a light-skinned William who is from the negro-elite. Eleanor marries William; a marriage which elevates Eleanor's social standing. And, while these two are passionately in love, their relationship is marred by petty insecurities, lies, and betrayals. Eleanor is unable to bring a baby to full term and after three miscarriages, the doctor advised against trying again. Eleanor and William seek the help of The House of Eve in order to adopt a baby.

The novel details life at The House of Eve and the dilemma confronting the young women there who are forced to give up their babies and forced to atone for their "sins" and transgressions. I enjoy the narrative pertaining to this House; I feel the author did a splendid job capturing the emotions and pains of the residents there.

Ruby's and Eleanor's stories are very interesting too; however, there are times, I really wonder about these two characters. Ruby struggles to secure bus fare and yet when given "a beautiful antique hair comb adorned with garnet rubies, ...ran into the kitchen and dropped it in the garbage". Eleanor, on the other hand, becomes judgemental and suspicious of her very devoted husband and complains about her mother-in-law trying to help her. Of the two women, I am more drawn to Ruby who had to make extra-ordinary painful decisions. Overall, this is a beautiful story well worth the read. Four stars.

This book excellently handles a number of relevant and heartbreaking issues that affect so many women across the racial boundaries as well as within them; the author chose to focus on Negroes in this historical tale.

Relationships poorly navigated. Class. Race. Religion. Unwed mothers and fathers. Infertility. Miscarriage. Marriages. Inlaws. Mothers and daughters.

Ruby from Philly grew up feeling unloved by her own mother and lived with an aunt where she fell in love with a white Jewish boy who was "out of her league". Her plans of becoming a doctor were seemingly ruined.

Eleanor, a college student in Washington DC, wants to archive the history of her people when class, love, marriage and infertility buffet her at every turn.

Each girl travels through her own troubles and unknowingly their paths cross.

This story and these heartbreaking issues are artfully told. The author shares a piece of history, not widely known nor very well understood with a wide audience. I love learning through fiction and appreciate the well researched material as well as the personal connection to the life of the author.

I absolutely loved this book. I’ve always had a great interest in historical history and particularly African American history. I read this book in one sitting. I will definitely be reading The Yellow Wife.

The yellow wife is one of my favourite books ever. I am always highly recommending to everyone. When I saw Sadeqa Johnson had another book coming, I leapt at the chance to read it.

WHEW. This book is GOOD! It’s nuanced and complex and empathetic. It tells the story of two young Black women and their complicated journeys in the late 1940s in America. I walked in without reading a description and I honestly think that’s the way to go.

Sadeqa Johnson knows how to tell a story, and this is one of the best stories I’ve read.

I felt totally drawn in to the two women's lives in this story and I loved both of them. This is my favourite and easiest way to understand history, or at least get a glimpse.

It has been a while since a book pulled me in completely within the first few chapters. I loved both Ruby and Eleanor but especially Ruby and her tenacity. My only complaint would be about the ending. The 13 year gap in the story line bothered me and I would have liked more of the in-between years in Ruby's life. Maybe a sequel for this book is in the works?

Make sure you read the author's note at the end. Some of the characters in this book are based on real people and that was fascinating. I have Yellow Wife on my "to be read" list so I am going to start that one next.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC of this book.