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The House of Eve

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From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.

1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.

Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC鈥檚 elite wealthy Black families, and his par颅ents don鈥檛 let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William鈥檚 family and grant her the life she鈥檚 been searching for. But having a baby鈥攁nd fitting in鈥攊s easier said than done.

With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

384 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 2023

6350 people are currently reading
255172 people want to read

About the author

Sadeqa Johnson

9books5,215followers
Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times best-selling author of five novels. Her accolades include being the 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, and the Library of Virginia鈥檚 Literary People鈥檚 Choice Award winner. She is a Kimbilio Fellow and teaches in the M.F.A. program at Drexel University. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives near Richmond, VA with her husband and three teens.

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Profile Image for Rosh ~catching up slowly~.
2,183 reviews4,327 followers
June 6, 2023
In a Nutshell: Works in bits and pieces but I wanted far more. Quite predictable. Covers important themes and certain elements of African-American history that I wasn鈥檛 aware of.

Story Synopsis:
1948. Philadelphia. Fifteen year old Ruby, the illegitimate child of a self-obsessed single mom and raised by her grandmother, dreams of going to optometry college. However, when she meets a white Jewish boy, her future threatens to spill away from her grasp. Can Ruby take a chance at forbidden love while retaining her ambitions?
1948, Washington. Eleanor has joined Howard University with great dreams. After all, her working class parents have slogged to send their only daughter for further studies. When she meets the rich and handsome William Pride, she falls for him despite the huge difference in their status. But to become the wife of the wealthy Mr. Pride while coming from a poor family isn鈥檛 going to be a cakewalk. What will Eleanor need to do to fit in?
How the lives of Ruby and Eleanor are interlinked is for you to find out by reading the book.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Ruby and the third person perspective of Eleanor, with the two perspectives presented in alternating chapters.


PSA: The blurb reveals too much. (Yet again!)

Where the book worked for me:
馃槏 It is quite fast paced. The writing provides all necessarily details without bogging you down with frivolous details.

馃槏 Ruby鈥檚 track is much more interesting and cohesive than Eleanor鈥檚. I loved the author鈥檚 choice of ending for Ruby.

馃槏 The story is divided in multiple sections, with each section dealing with a specific phase and event in the lives of the two girls. I liked this compartmentalisation.

馃槏 I鈥檝e never read any book that details the lifestyle of the wealthy Blacks of the 1940s. Their classist thinking, their preference for 鈥榳hite鈥� or 鈥榣ight鈥� skinned people from among their own race, and their wannabe-white attitude is interesting to read.

馃槏 Without going into spoilers, all I can say is that the place where Ruby lands in the third section is a shameful part of American as well as Christian history. While the writing goes down the stereotypical part in its portrayal, milking every negative and ignoring any positive, it is still worth reading.

馃槏 The author鈥檚 note at the end adds the right tone of authenticity to the content.


Where the book could have worked better for me:
馃槓 Almost every character except for Ruby and Eleanor is clich茅d and their behaviour, mostly guessable.

馃槓 The link between the two stories can be spotted a mile away, or rather, at least 50% before they actually intertwine.

馃槓 Eleanor鈥檚 story started off well, but her track with William soon becomes irritating, what with her thoughts about him going back and forth between trust and doubt. It becomes too repetitive after a while.

馃槓 There are no major surprises in the story except at the very end. Every part is predictable.

馃槓 Surprisingly for such an intense topic, the writing feels almost lightweight. Except in the above-mentioned third section, emotions aren鈥檛 explored consistently. The first half feels especially superficial.

馃槓 Though the writing is quick, the plot development is clunky in the first half. There鈥檚 a greater stress to the romantic relationships than to the social struggles.


I haven鈥檛 yet read the author鈥檚 most popular book 鈥榊ellow Wife鈥�, so I can鈥檛 make a comparison. But based on what I had heard about that novel, I had expected this to create a far greater impact on my mind. I still can鈥檛 pinpoint what exactly about the writing left me like a bystander, but I couldn鈥檛 find myself gripped by the story or the characters at any point. I liked it enough, but other than Ruby, no one will make a mark.

Recommended to historical fiction lovers who want to read about a not-so-common angle of African-American history with a hefty dollop[ of romance.

3.5 stars.


My thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the DRC of 鈥淭he House of Eve鈥�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.




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Profile Image for Taylor Reid.
Author听17 books210k followers
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January 27, 2023
Ruby hopes to become the first in her family to attend college, but a taboo love affair threatens the future she鈥檚 worked for. In DC, after Eleanor falls for William, fitting in with his family proves difficult. Ruby and Eleanor鈥檚 stories intersect in surprising ways that change the course of their lives. A heartrending story.
Profile Image for Marilyn (not getting notifications).
1,068 reviews445 followers
February 15, 2023
4.5 stars! I was very excited to read The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson after having read her previous novel, The Yellow Wife. It was every bit as moving and compelling as I had hoped it would be. Sadeqa Johnson has proven to be a brilliant storyteller, in my opinion. The topics she covered and included in The House of Eve were both powerful and timely. The characters in The House of Eve were memorable and so likable. Her research for this book was impeccable and allowed me to learn so much about this time period. I was drawn into the story immediately and could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. The House of Eve was told through the voices of two distinctly unrelated black women at completely different times in their lives. However, there are several tiny threads that materialized throughout The House of Eve that knotted their lives together.

Ruby was a fifteen year old girl that lived in Philadelphia during the 1950鈥檚. Her mother was Ruby鈥檚 age when she became pregnant with Ruby. Ruby鈥檚 mother, Inez, was still a child herself when she gave birth to Ruby. Inez was incapable of earning enough money to take care of Ruby properly so Ruby was brought up by her grandmother. Ruby remained with her grandmother until her grandmother developed glaucoma and couldn鈥檛 see anymore. At that point, Ruby went to live with Inez but between Inez鈥檚 many boyfriends and her lack of parenting skills, Ruby remained with her mother for only a short time. After an incident that Inez blamed Ruby for, she kicked Ruby out of her apartment. Ruby went to live with her aunt. All of the women in Ruby鈥檚 life had little education or skills. They all made money by cleaning other people鈥檚 homes. Ruby had dreams. She was smart, had made goals for herself and had aspired to become an optometrist ever since her grandmother developed glaucoma. Ruby had been accepted in the program, 鈥淲e Rise鈥� which granted full scholarships for all four years of college to the brightest and most deserving students in the program. There was no other option for Ruby. She wanted desperately to go to college and the only way to make it happen was by winning one of the scholarships. Ruby would be the first person in her family to have ever attended college. Then one day, Ruby met Shimmy. He was the landlord鈥檚 son. Shimmy was white and Jewish. In the 1950鈥檚, it was not considered proper for whites to be friends with Blacks. There was extreme racism. Shimmy was so kind, thoughtful and attentive to Ruby. He only wanted to spend time with her. As much as Ruby knew it was wrong and that she should have known better, Ruby and Shimmy allowed themselves to fall in love with each other. Then, Ruby discovered she was pregnant with Shimmy鈥檚 child. What was she going to do? Abortions were illegal and dangerous in those days. What would happen to her dreams of attending college?

Alternating with Ruby鈥檚 story, Eleanor Quarles had arrived at Howard University, an all black college in Washington, D.C. Eleanor had grown up in a small town in Ohio. Her parents were hardworking and had to save and skimp to pay for Eleanor鈥檚 education. Eleanor was smart, hardworking and ambitious. One of Eleanor鈥檚 dreams was to join one of the most prestigious sororities on Howard鈥檚 campus. Unfortunately, Eleanor was passed over. Supposedly, Eleanor did not meet the necessary requirements. Eleanor possessed the grades and extracurricular activities that were warranted but not the social standards that were required. Her family was not a well known and established family with a great amount of influence and money. Eleanor worked at the University鈥檚 library. She was very interested in becoming an archivist after she graduated. Lately, Eleanor noticed the back of a certain male student who was always at the library when she was working. One day, that student approached the desk when she was working there. He approached Eleanor with the pretense of needing to sharpen his pencil. Eleanor could not believe how handsome he was. She had only seen his back and now he was standing right in front of her. Eleanor learned that his name was William Pride and that he was a medical student. She could not stop thinking about him. Eleanor spent most of her nights in the dorm studying. She needed to keep her grades up. Her parents had sacrificed so much for Eleanor to attend college that that was the least she could do. Eleanor鈥檚 roommate had other ideas for Eleanor, though. She convinced Eleanor to go to a dance with her that night. A little while after she arrived, Eleanor spotted William across the room at the same time he spotted her. Over the next couple of months Eleanor鈥檚 and William鈥檚 relationship became more and more serious. Eventually, William invited Eleanor to meet his parents. When William drove up to his parent鈥檚 house, Eleanor was taken aback by how massive and impressive their home was. William鈥檚 parents we鈥檙e hosting a brunch for their closest friends. When Eleanor first saw William鈥檚 parent鈥檚 friends, she thought that they were all white. After careful observation, Eleanor realized that all his parent鈥檚 friends were black but they all had the fairest complexions she had ever seen. William鈥檚 parents and their friends were members of the 鈥渆lite鈥� and wealthy black families of Washington D.C. William鈥檚 mother was not very welcoming to Eleanor. Despite William鈥檚 mother鈥檚 misgivings, Eleanor and William continued to see each other and they fell in love. One day, a few weeks after going on a romantic trip together, Eleanor became nervous. She could not remember the last time she had her period. Could she be pregnant? How would William react to her news? William was not expecting this but he loved Eleanor very much so he asked her to marry him. Of course William鈥檚 mother was not happy and guessed that Eleanor was pregnant. William鈥檚 mother took charge and advised having the wedding as soon as possible so no one would suspect that Eleanor was pregnant. William and Eleanor got married and William鈥檚 parents bought them a house. Then Eleanor miscarried. Both Eleanor and William were devastated. Several months later, Eleanor was pregnant again. This time, she had already entered her second trimester. She took a deep breath. This time she would carry the baby to full term and have a healthy baby. That was not in the cards for Eleanor and William. Eleanor lost that baby, too. She was so hopeful that a baby would somehow bridge the gap between Eleanor and William and his parents. Eleanor had also been harboring a secret that she had kept from William. How would William react when it was finally revealed? Would Eleanor and William ever be able to grow their family? Could Eleanor ever have a relationship with William鈥檚 mother?

The chapters in The House of Eve alternated between Ruby鈥檚 life and that of Eleanor鈥檚. Although they were at different stages in their lives, some of their experiences were similar. Sadeqa Johnson did such a good job incorporating issues like racism, prejudice, class distinctions, shame, sacrifices and life altering decisions into The House of Eve. Since The House of Eve took place prior to Roe vs Wade, there were not many choices available for unwed mothers that found themselves pregnant. The House of Eve explored one heartbreaking option that was available. Both Ruby and Eleanor proved to be stronger than they thought they could be. Each woman was shaped by the difficult decisions and choices they were forced to make throughout their lives. I really enjoyed reading The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read the book The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson through Netgalley in exchange for a voluntary and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Bookishrealm.
3,084 reviews6,259 followers
March 7, 2023
Sadeqa Johnson has done it again. While I think that Yellow Wife is still my favorite out of the two, it is clear that Johnson has a knack for writing historical fiction. She is definitely an autobuy author for me at this point. CW: racism, colorism, classism, miscarriage, death due to abortion (not on page), ill treatment of pregnant Black girls, sexual assault, rape (not on page), parental neglect and abuse.

The House of Eve is a historical fiction novel told in dual perspectives following Ruby and Eleanor. Ruby is in high school attempting to make her way to college when her world is turned upside down after befriending a White Jewish boy. She also deals with the heart-aching abuse and neglect from her biological mother. Meanwhile, Eleanor lives in Washington, DC and is attending Howard University. She works two jobs in an attempt to put herself through school when she meets the wealthy and handsome William. The two are extremely different in terms of class and status, but instantly fall for each other. The two characters have separate narratives that ultimately connect in ways that they wouldn't ever expect.

What Worked: Johnson is an extremely gifted writer. Unlike Yellow Wife, I found the writing of this novel to be lighter and easier to follow despite it's complicated and dark themes. It made for an easier and faster paced read. I was surprised at the quickness with which I was able to consume this novel while also still recognizing and appreciating the complexity of the story. There were so many interesting elements to consider in this book including the colorism and classism that existed in the Black community at this time. As someone who has pledged a Black Greek Letter Organization (Delta Sigma Theta), I was particularly interested in Johnson's exploration of colorism and classism as it applied to her fictional sorority. While it is a small part of the overall story, those themes remain prevalent throughout the course of the novel as readers continue to follow Eleanor and William's story. There was also some commentary about a woman's relationship to motherhood and the desire to be a mother. I enjoyed the fact that we saw so many examples of motherhood attached to how complicated it can be whether a woman is or is not the biological mother. Johnson also illustrates that a woman's preparedness and/or desire for motherhood can change over time and falls across a spectrum. It creates these full circle moments towards the end of the novel. Johnson also doesn't shy away from addressing what happens to young women who get pregnant out of wedlock and the horrible things that the Catholic church would do under the disguise of attempting to "help" them. This wasn't something that I was familiar with as a reader and it's probably the part of the novel that broke me the most. Combine all of this with the shame of infertility and adoption that impacted the Black community during this time and readers will understand the amount of heart and soul that Johnson put into this book.

What Didn't Work: There weren't many parts of this book that didn't work, but one thing that did stand out was the "twist." Most readers will figure out the connection between Eleanor and Ruby before finishing 50% of the novel. I'm not exactly sure if that was the intention of Johnson, but it isn't something that is necessarily unexpected so some readers may find themselves disappointed.

Overall, this was another outstanding work of art from Johnson. I can't wait to see what she plans to write going forward because her talent is untouched. If you haven't checked out this book, I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Vivian Diaz.
670 reviews158 followers
May 7, 2024
5/5 猸愶笍 x 鈾撅笍 I鈥檓 kicking myself for not reading this book sooner! It was a true masterpiece and I loved it so much. The author is actually from Philadelphia and I grew up in North Philly so I HAD to read this book! It takes place in 1950s Philadelphia and it is told in the POV of Ruby and Eleanor.

This is about two young Black women and how they struggled with love, colorism, and so many other hardships in the 50s. My heart broke for them. It was also interesting and surprising how their lives intertwined towards the end!

I loved the writing and how connected I felt to both Ruby and Eleanor. Their struggles felt like they were my own. I truly can鈥檛 express just how much I loved this book. I can鈥檛 wait to read more books by this author. This one truly blew me away! 鉂わ笍鈥嶐煩桂煡�
Profile Image for JanB.
1,313 reviews4,081 followers
dnf
April 5, 2023
DNF @ 25%
Too much melodramatic romance for my taste.
Profile Image for Karen.
694 reviews1,768 followers
March 16, 2023
I really enjoyed this and was immediately wrapped up in the story.
Alternating chapters for Ruby and Eleanor.. two black girls growing up in the 1950鈥檚.
Ruby from Philadelphia, Eleanor from Washington D.C..
The boundaries of reproductive choices, color, class, and education and themes in this emotional tale.

So鈥� now I certainly plan on reading The Yellow Wife by this author very soon!
Profile Image for Laura Lovesreading.
408 reviews1,983 followers
July 11, 2024
Well DAMN! This one is going to stay with me for a while!!

The House of Eve is about two strong willed women Ruby and Eleanor. Its the 1950s and Ruby is in Philadelphia trying to break generational curses and become the first in her family to attend college. But a forbidden trysts could potentially have her whole world falling apart. Then in Washington DC we have Eleanor, who has her ambition and knows what she wants to do with her life, but that all gets slightly pushed aside when she meets William Pride. William is from one of the wealthiest black families and he cant get enough of Eleanor. But will Eleanor a simple girl be able to fit into this family and what secrets are lurking that will collide both of these women together lives together?

Ok so having read Yellow Wife first by this author i was nervous to pick this one up and braced myself for again another heartbreaking read. Although this one is heartbreaking, it flowed so effortlessly and was intertwined with romance that i truly just couldn't put it down!
I was being told a story of two courageous women but was also experiencing what a lot of black women must've gone through back in the 50s and before that and to be honest even today!
I absolutely loved Ruby and Eleanor story, and although i knew where the story was heading, i didn't care. Ms Johnson writing is so addictive and entrancing you cant get enough of the characters.

鈰嗭健掳鉁�WHAT I LIKED鈰嗭健掳鉁�
鉃� Dual POVS
鉃� Very realistic plot
鉃� Depiction of African American history in the 50s
鉃� A one sit read
鉃� William
鉃� The authors note
鉃� The Ending

鈰嗭健掳鉁�WHAT I DIDNT LIKE鈰嗭健掳鉁�
鉃� Not a major dislike, but the twist is not a surprise. The author made it very obvious. Not sure whether it was intentional or not.

Although this covers dark themes and is depressing. It was more easily digestible than Yellow Wife. The chapters revolving around the Catholic Church chewed me up and spat me right back out. I was struggling to compose myself. Sadeqa Johnson is now an auto buy author for me. This woman covers book revolving around, racism, colorism, prejudice, class, power, abuse and marriage and does it so effortlessly well it has you reeling for a long time afterwards.


4.5 猸�





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鈰嗭健掳鉁�pre read鈰嗭健掳鉁�
Trying to read one Historical Fiction once a month!
Have heard great things about this book!
Letsssss Goooooo! 馃榿馃馃従馃А馃挋
Profile Image for Terrie  Robinson.
576 reviews1,157 followers
August 6, 2023
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson is a Beautifully Written African American Historical Fiction Story!

I love this author, her writing style, storytelling, diverse characterizations, and the thoughtful reasons she shares for writing each of her two Historical Fiction novels. It feels like she's sharing part of herself.

Her first HF novel Yellow Wife, set in Virginia in the 1850's, was my favorite book of 2021. It's one I think about often and compare every book I read to how this book sparked deep emotions within me. Yes, the bar is set high with this one.

The House of Eve, is her second HF novel, set in Philadelphia and Washington DC in the 1950's. The story centers on the lives of two Black women, Ruby Pearsall and Eleanor Quarles, and it's not so much a comparison between these two women, as it is about how the decisions they make change the arc of their lives in unexpected ways.

In Philadelphia, seventeen-year-old Ruby has a strong chance of being the first in her family to attend college. A risky love relationship could quickly dash her hopes and keep her in the depths of poverty her family has always known...

In Washington DC, Eleanor attends Howard University where she meets William Pride who's from a wealthy Black family. As they fall in love and marry, Eleanor struggles fitting into William's family and hopes a baby will secure her place in the life she's reaching for...

The House of Eve is beautifully written with two main characters that couldn't be more different yet the struggles of these two Black women have a common ground. What I enjoyed most about this story was how broadly the author dove into the personal challenges and family elements of both main characters. This intentional focus gave additional layers and depth to the story.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis. I enjoyed Ruby's narrator, however Eleanor's narrations were a bit melodramatic, especially towards the end. With that said, it was still a solid listen.

The House of Eve was a strong story, and although it wasn't the stellar performer Yellow Wife was for me, it's a read I will remember. Sadeqa Johnson will continue to be a favorite author and I'll read anything she writes in the future. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy Historical Fiction with a diverse blend of characters.

4猸�
Profile Image for Warda.
1,282 reviews22.8k followers
February 13, 2023
鈥淜nowing about racism and being abused by its wrath were two different things.鈥�

It鈥檚 difficult to review a book like this. Difficult because it encompasses so much. It explores a lot of the hardships women, but Black women in particular, had to go through in order to just survive. To have a decent life.

It shines a light on parts of history that are ugly, quite frankly. Historical fiction stories hardly paint a pretty picture but I don鈥檛 think that鈥檚 ever the aim. It鈥檚 about uncovering facts and facing realities and it鈥檚 a heartbreaking story to read. I hate that some of these things ever had to be a thing, but they were thing.

The writing and the execution of this story were really well done. This was my first Sadeqa Johnson and it definitely won鈥檛 be my last. I admire so much of what she鈥檚 researched and written here. There was depth and passion to her storytelling.

If you鈥檙e a fan of historical fiction, you have to read this. It鈥檚 too good of a story to pass up.

It鈥榮 a really thought-provoking read. You get to the end of it and it leaves you hungry and curious for more. It鈥檚 one that stays with you and I think I鈥檒l remember our main characters, Ruby and Eleanor, for a while.

Thanks a lot to Simon & Schuster for sending me an ARC.
Profile Image for Taury.
1,113 reviews172 followers
June 21, 2024
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson would be a great choice for book club discussions. Set in the 1950s, it follows the lives of two young Black women. One, born into poverty in Washington, D.C., seizes an opportunity to break the generational cycle of hardship. The other, from a lower-middle-class, blue-collar family in Ohio, faces her own challenges.

Their lives intertwine through unexpected pregnancies鈥攐ne with a white Jewish boy, the other with a light-skinned, upper-class Black boy. This narrative delves deeply into the complexities of class privilege and racism during the 1950s, making it a thought-provoking read that sparks meaningful conversations.
Profile Image for Karren  Sandercock .
1,194 reviews344 followers
February 10, 2023
The house of Eve鈥檚 narrative is told from two young women鈥檚 points of view, it takes place in the 1950's, where racial prejudice is rife and even amongst colored people.

Ruby Pearsall is a teenager living in Philadelphia, she was born to a young single mother, who is more interested in finding a new boyfriend than taking care of a baby. Ruby is intelligent, she鈥檚 taking extra classes to help African American teenagers attend college and it鈥檚 called, We Rise Program.

Eleanor Quarles comes from a tiny town in Ohio, and she鈥檚 the first member of her family to attend college. Eleanor is a motivated person, she works at the college library, and here she meets the handsome William Pride. He鈥檚 studying medicine at Howard University, his fathers a doctor and William's mother Rose is a snob. Eleanor wants to major in history and become a library archivist and Ruby dreams of being an ophthalmologist.

Ruby moves in with her aunt Marie, living in the same building is Shimmy, a white Jewish boy, they fall in love and history repeats itself. Eleanor falls in love with William, he comes from a different social class, Rose is horrified when she meets Eleanor and finds out her father works in a factory and her mother is a cook. When Eleanor falls pregnant, she and William marry and his family are unhappy, Eleanor does everything she can to try and fit in and nothing she does is good enough. Ruby is sent to a home for unwed mothers, it鈥檚 run by Catholic nuns and it鈥檚 nothing like it's promoted to be in the glossy brochure.

The decisions Ruby and Eleanor make as teenagers, set them on a path and their lives become connected in an unexpected way.

I received a copy of The House of Eve from Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review. Sadeqa Johnson鈥檚 research is through, I like her writing style, the narrative is easy to follow and holds your attention. The story covers topics such as, escaping poverty and stereotypes, body shaming and keeping secrets, ambition, miscarriage and pregnancy loss, motherhood, adoption, forbidden love, prejudice and coercion. Ms. Johnson latest book is based around her own family history, it鈥檚 about the difficulties and challenges African American women faced and still do. While I enjoyed the authors previous book, The Yellow Wife, I was completely captivated by, The House of Eve and five stars from me.
Profile Image for Hannah.
2,169 reviews376 followers
January 5, 2025
Rounding up to four, but really, it鈥檚 closer to a 3.5.

Too many themes going on, and a lot of it Is contrived. But there was plenty of drama to go around. And it feels like a pretty good representation of the times and a story of two families that rose above those times.
Profile Image for Just A Girl With Spirit.
1,363 reviews13.3k followers
March 11, 2023
5 brilliant stars!

I鈥檓 definitely not crying right now. That鈥檚 a lie. I totally am. This book was ALOT! I don鈥檛 know how I will write this review, but I will try my best. This is set in the 1950鈥檚 and follows two women from different sides of the tracks. Ruby & Eleanor both are my sheroes. The character development, impeccable writing and fleshed out story makes this book a stand out. I will be back when I have more words, but just know that this will be in my top 2023 reads at the years end.
Profile Image for Kristine .
903 reviews244 followers
February 11, 2023
Wow鉂o笍 I really enjoyed this book and learned new history about infertility, adoption, and the shame most African American women had to endure if an unexpected pregnancy occurred. The women alone were humiliated and had to live with the cohesion and manipulation to give a child up for adoption. This was set in the late 1940鈥檚, so was at a time when Black and White People often were not allowed to marry even if they wanted to.

This story takes place in 1948 and explores the story of Ruby, who longs to be the first woman in her family to go to college and become a doctor. This may turn out to be much more difficult then she planned when she meets a young Jewish boy and their relationship develops. She thinks she should pull away since it is impossible for a Black Girl and a White Boy to be together. If anything goes wrong, she will be the one to bear the consequences and is determined to find a way out of the poverty and neglect she has lived with when her own mother got pregnant as a young teenager. I found her story quite compelling.

Then there is the story of Eleanor, who is going to Howard University. However, life is not as she expects. Her mother has spent years saving for her to have this opportunity, so she does not come from the privilege many of her classmates take for granted. Eleanor has to confront prejudice from fellow students and their families since the shade of your black skin matters a lot. So, she is surprised when William is interested in her. Although he is the love of her life and plans on becoming a doctor, this still does not ease much pain that is to come.

So, both Ruby and Eleanor experience different types of shame and silencing.

Certain subject just weren鈥檛 talked about in the late 1940鈥檚. Topics I did not know much about were explored and I found this compelling. Both Ruby and Eleanor are very bright women, yet even the smallest slip up can derail their ambitions.

The biggest complaint I had with this story was it explored many serious topics, yet I found the ending wrapped up too neatly. The experiences both Ruby and Eleanor went through I think would have caused much more grief and hardship. Some of the characters too neatly changed and fell into place for me just to make for an easy ending. I think the characters feelings and decisions were taken too lightly.

Overall, though I find Sadeqa Johnson to be an excellent storyteller and enjoyed learning about events I had no idea occurred at that time period. I was engrossed in the book and read it quickly. I just wish the book explored hard topics with a bit more depth.

Thank you NetGalley, Sadeqa Johnson, and Simon & Schuster for this book. I always leave reviews of books I read.
Profile Image for Thomas.
1,788 reviews11.4k followers
August 28, 2024
Well-written and character-driven novel that follows two Black women as they navigate romantic and familial relationships and choices that uproot their lives. I thought Sadeqa Johnson did an excellent job writing about how colorism, class, and gender dynamics affected our protagonists without diluting the story or taking us out of the narrative. While I found the prose smooth and easy to read, it lacked that little extra oomph to really wow me or make me feel even more strongly about the story as a whole.
Profile Image for Jessica Paige (Exercise_Read_Repeat).
1,653 reviews256 followers
January 3, 2023
I read this book in one sitting and loved it!!

Set in the late 1940s, House of Eve alternates between the perspectives of Eleanor and Ruby, two young and intelligent black woman who are both looking for a brighter future. However, when forbidden love and unplanned pregnancies present an obstacle, these women are forced to make decisions that will shape their future and possibly impede their dreams. With that, Eleanor and Ruby鈥檚 stories collide in the most unexpected of ways.

I went into this book blind after loving The Yellow Wife. While it was not what I expected at all (maybe I should read plot synopses), I was blown away. Sadeqa Johnson is a fabulous storyteller, and I loved how this story highlighted the strength of women, their resilience, themes of motherhood and the sacrifices Black women made for education. I was not expecting the cameo of Pheby from Yellow Wife at the end, but it made the book!

Read if you like:
-US 1950s historical fiction
-Black representation
-DC and Philadelphia settings
-Women鈥檚 rights
-Stories about motherhood
-Diane Chamberlain books

Thank you Atria and Book Club Favorites for the ARC!
Profile Image for Erin .
1,524 reviews1,497 followers
November 8, 2023
4.5 Stars!

I've been afraid to read this book all year. I read Yellow Wife and loved it but it was a brutal read and I was not prepared to read another tough read by Sadeqa Johnson.

Well...it turns out that I had nothing to worry about, The House of Eve is a tough read but it's also a hopeful read. I read this book in one day. I had election day anxiety (Thank God Andy Beshear won!) so I just threw myself into reading today.

The House of Eve is about Rudy( I love her) who is 16 year old Black girl in the 1950's who hopes to become a doctor one day despite living in poverty. And Eleanor who is useless and really unnecessary, she gives up her dream of becoming a academic researcher to marry a high Yellow rich black( the lowercase is on purpose) medical student from a rich family. Ruby makes a dumb mistake that sends her future colliding with Eleanor's.

The title The House of Eve made sense to me even before we are given the actual explanation. Eve is "the original woman" her "sin" "cursed" women for eternity. Women are responsible for the temptation of men. Women are considered only valuable if the can produce children( but not trusted to make choices about their bodies). Women are to be protected and shielded but they are also evil and wicked.

I loved Yellow Wife but I loved The House of Eve even more. I can't wait to read more books by this author in the future.

Women's bodies have always been political and if you are a Black woman that's even more true. The right to decide if, when and how women have children should be hers and hers alone. Noone should be made to have a child they don't want or be forced to give up a child they do want. Noone should be made to feel like they are less than because they can't naturally conceive or carry a child to term.

Basically.....MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS!

A Must Read!
Profile Image for Brandice.
1,172 reviews
March 30, 2023
The House of Eve is a historical fiction story set in the 1950s and follows two women 鈥� Ruby, in Philadelphia, and Eleanor, in Washington, DC. Ruby is 15 and determined to be the first person in her family to attend college. She wants to be a doctor. She stays with her aunt often as her mother is more interested in men than parenting. Ruby doesn鈥檛 have an easy life and a forbidden romance threatens everything she鈥檚 been working toward for her successful future.

Eleanor is attending Howard University, keeping a few secrets tucked away. When she meets and falls for William Pride, his family isn鈥檛 thrilled. The Prides are an elite, wealthy Black family in DC and aren鈥檛 convinced Eleanor is good enough for them. She hopes having a baby with William will change their mind. 鈦�
鈦�
While Ruby and Eleanor鈥檚 stories alternate throughout the book, it becomes clear they will intersect at some point and I enjoyed reading to find out how. Life doesn鈥檛 always go according to plan and both women faced numerous difficult challenges. I liked them both and was rooting for them. 鈦�
鈦�
The House of Eve is an absorbing story. After loving this book and Yellow Wife, I am a huge fan of Sadeqa Johnson.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for A.M. Flynn-Davis&#x1fa90;.
353 reviews126 followers
June 18, 2023
I read this book within a day. It鈥檚 one of those books I鈥檇 love to be able to read for the first time again!

Alternating Ruby鈥檚 and Eleanor鈥檚 chapters offers an exceptional device for drawing out these parallel stories and building tension as to when and how they will intersect ... Johnson鈥檚 approach reinforces this impulse by having Ruby narrate her own story, while a close third person speaks for Eleanor. The House of Eve spotlights many thorny issues, including... countless layers of absorbed racism ... The House of Eve leaves readers with a yearning for closure, for something tidy and reassuring, which of course is not at all how the world works.
Profile Image for NILTON TEIXEIRA.
1,217 reviews548 followers
February 12, 2023
If you loved Yellow Wife, then please, lower your expectations.
This is not a bad book.
It鈥檚 just that it was not for me. It鈥檚 more like a romance, a genre that I don鈥檛 read.
The writing is really good and the author is a good storyteller, but my problem is that I found a lack of originality.
There was nothing new in this romance/drama around race and interracial relationships.
Also, it did not feel like a historical fiction. The House of Eve enter the story in the last 25% of the book (if not later).
I think that this book will please young readers, especially girls.
I can say that it is far from boring and that there are some good parts. It definitely started well, but at the end I thought that it was predictable.
Regardless, you shouldn鈥檛 avoid this book based on my opinion.

Trigger warnings: teen鈥檚 pregnancy, miscarriages
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cheryl James.
341 reviews232 followers
January 30, 2024
September Bookclub Selection

2nd read

I truly love this book and all that it brings. It's definitely a 5 star read for me.

I can only hope that the author gives us a sequel.

**

After reading the Yellow Wife I could not wait for this book to arrive, and once again, Sadeqa did not disappoint.

Amazing how she took the story of two female's/males lives and intertwined them to become a part of a newborn's life.

The author is a great story teller. She is very detailed. You literally feel the joy and the pain of the characters.

Life is full of surprises, and I hope she surprises me with a sequel to this book. There is so much more to tell!!
Profile Image for Crystal (Melanatedreader) Forte'.
334 reviews156 followers
January 14, 2023
I do believe this is going to be the book all the book clubs will be talking about this year! What can I say? Sadequa can pen the stank out of a historical narrative 馃ぉ Go ahead and add it to your cart now especially if you like dual perspective narratives!
Profile Image for Quana (the black regina george).
76 reviews11 followers
August 14, 2024
This book is a prime example as to why abortion should be LEGAL everywhere. Keep your opinions to yourself about my opinion on my review just fyi.

"The House of Eve" by Sadeqa Johnson is a masterfully written novel that deeply resonated with me. The story navigates through powerful themes of racism, colorism, and the intense desire to break free from societal and familial constraints. The novel鈥檚 exploration of these themes feels authentic and raw, making it one of the best historical fiction books I've ever read, standing tall next to "The Vanishing Half."

鈽嗏槅鈽嗏槅鈽� (5 stars)

The connection between Ruby and Eleanor at the end of the book was incredibly satisfying. Seeing them find their way to each other felt like a perfect conclusion to their intertwined stories. I loved how Ruby鈥檚 traits still lived on in Grace, or Willie, showing how the past never truly leaves us, but instead shapes the future in unexpected ways.

What really hit me was the mistreatment of the girls within the home. The way Johnson portrays their struggles brought me to tears, highlighting the harsh realities many young Black women faced during that era. It鈥檚 a stark reminder of the injustices that were often swept under the rug, making their resilience all the more powerful.

The author鈥檚 note at the end adds another layer to the story, explaining how true and authentic this book is. Johnson's research and dedication to telling a real story shines through, making the narrative even more impactful. This authenticity makes the characters and their experiences feel real, almost as if they鈥檙e echoing the lives of many who lived through similar struggles.

Sadeqa Johnson also excels in crafting characters you may not initially like but come to understand and even root for by the end. Rose is a prime example of this. Her redemption arc was handled so well that by the end, I found myself empathizing with her, despite her earlier actions.

I could also relate to Ruby鈥檚 fierce determination to be the first in her family to truly make something of herself. Her journey was inspiring and reflected the struggles many face in trying to break free from the limitations imposed by both society and family.

In the end, I was glad both Eleanor and Ruby found their happy endings and got what they truly wanted out of life. This book is a powerful testament to the strength of Black women, the complexities of race and identity, and the importance of forging your own path in life. 馃拹
Profile Image for Maren鈥檚 Reads.
1,061 reviews1,854 followers
April 16, 2023
A powerful and thought provoking story of love, family, motherhood, and the desire to go beyond societal expectations. In Philadelphia, 15 year-old Ruby Pearsall dreams of becoming an Opthamologist; in Washington, DC, Eleanor dreams of being accepted in the socioeconomic circle of the man she loves. Soon their lives will be interconnected as they face the trials and tribulations that will lead them to each make their own very difficult decision.

This is a gorgeously written novel that speaks to the cruelty faced by young black women in the 1950s. And yet so many elements being discussed are present even in today鈥檚 society.

I loved the way the author develops her characters with such raw vulnerability. I could feel the pain each woman suffered, as well as their pure passion for achieving the goals they had set for themselves. By the time I came to the conclusion, I felt as though I really knew Ruby and Eleanor.

I listed to The House of Eve on audio, thanks to Simon Audio, and I have to say what an insanely amazing job Ariel Blake and Nicole Lewis did bringing these characters and this story to life. This may be the first Sadeqa Johnson book I have read, but it most certainly will not be my last.

Thank you {partners} TLC Book Tours and Simon and Schuster for my gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for emilybookedup.
545 reviews9,677 followers
October 11, 2023
i almost gave this no rating because of the serious subject matter 馃ス馃檹馃徏 but my goodness what an emotional and beautiful story! i highly recommend the audiobook version too, it really let me get a feel for both women and the dual POVs.

Reese hit it on the head with this as a book pick鈥攖here is SO much to discuss 馃槶 it reminded me a lot of TAKE MY HAND which i also thoroughly enjoyed. it鈥檚 really shocking that i鈥檓 a women yet had no idea about some of these events and situations in women鈥檚 history as it relates to birth control, birth, women鈥檚 rights, etc.鈥攊 wish this was taught more in school and was required learning for men and women. but, that鈥檚 my favorite part about historical fiction. i learn SO much.

i鈥檓 new to this authors work but man can she write!! i鈥檓 so impressed by her level of research too.

this is for historical fiction lovers that don鈥檛 want war content. it鈥檚 beautiful, sad, emotional, heartbreaking, joyful and so much more.

my main complaint is that i was really waiting for the two POVs to overlap more at the end鈥� i鈥檓 leaving it there bc i think you鈥檒l know what i mean if you read it. i was begging for it!!!!!
Profile Image for Mallory.
1,830 reviews269 followers
April 13, 2023
This booked flowed so easily I felt like the pages just flew by. The story takes place in the 1950鈥檚 and alternates between the stories of two African American young women trying to find happiness in love and life. Eleanor is attending Howard University and loves the library, books, and studying. She rarely goes out, but when her roommate drags her out and she bumps into a young man she鈥檇 only met briefly in the library her story takes a turn as the two of them find love despite being from two different worlds. Ruby is in high school, doing an accelerated program to help her be the first in her family to attend college. A chance meeting with her aunt鈥檚 landlord鈥檚 sons leads her down a dangerous path. The story was hard to read at times鈥o see what our history holds is hard but a necessary thing to do. I really liked both young women and really enjoyed the story.
Profile Image for Robert Jr..
Author听3 books1,023 followers
October 13, 2022
Sadeqa Johnson is expert at excavating the parts of the past that we would rather not confront. She dusts off these harrowing histories, shines them up, and gives them their proper glory. She mines this terrain with soaring grace, shining intellect, and a love that resonates on every page. Thanks to Johnson's enviable ability to craft narratives that not only educate and elucidate, but also enamor, the stories of Ruby and Eleanor, and the Ancestors and Elders they represent, will remain with me always. The House of Eve is a powerful witnessing, an indispensable testimony, and a remarkable addition to Johnson's already stunning bibliography.
Profile Image for Lulu.
1,051 reviews133 followers
February 8, 2023
Sadeqa Johnson knows how to tell a story, but I always find myself wanting more! I don鈥檛 know if that鈥檚 good or bad. I very much enjoyed this story with relatable characters and storylines. There were moments of joy and pain and it was all handled with class. I think what gets me is that the author gave us a few scenes that sorta peeked in but weren鈥檛 explored and I feel that if they had been, for me, this would have made a much better read over all.
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