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We will be reading Wench for Novemeber's HF group read!

Yay!

I've already got my copy and I'm looking forward to getting started.

I read this a while ago. I will check in when you all start

I read this book in 2010 when released. A couple of months before the book was released I had attended a black history conference in Ohio - not too far where this book took place and it the premise of the book was discussed as we toured underground railroad sites and the concept of how close and far freedom was in Ohio.

This is a fast read with the beginning and middle better flushed out than the ending.

Beverly wrote: "This is a fast read with the beginning and middle better flushed out than the ending. "
Thanks for the head's up.

I bought the e-book version and can't wait to start. Looking forward to the discussion.

Looking forward to this!

Ordered mine but it hasn't come yet

I just finished and loved it! I wish there was a sequel!

Has anyone else began reading or received their copy?

kisha wrote: "Has anyone else began reading or received their copy?"

I have my copy but haven't started reading.

I have it. I'll start Saturday night.

I'll have to wait for some comments from Lee before I start this one.

lmbo!

Started this one yesterday. And already I want to research this book. So far it is engaging. But I'll wait until more people have read before I comment.

This book is even better the second time around.

June wrote: "Started this one yesterday. And already I want to research this book. So far it is engaging. But I'll wait until more people have read before I comment."

Here is a video that tells a little bit about the background of the book and a little about the "resort" the book is based on - it really existed.

Thanks Beverly! You always share great resources.

Started the book at last, I love the language and characters and references to Africa

Thank you, Beverly. Those resources helped. I attempted to read this book when it was first released, but for some reason I just couldn't bond with it. I just retread the kindle sample and I'm not sure I'll read it, but I am looking forward to learning what others think about it.

I loved it. Lizze, Mawu, Reenie, Sweets, Philip, and Gloria.....

I've read the 1st chapter and I love the interactions between the characters so far, especially Mawu.

Finally sat down and read a good chunk of it, this is so well-written!

Man it's another book that I just can't get into the language. I think with my current schedule I just don't have time to critically think the way it's required for this novel (and the same for Invisible Man). I know this is a book that I can get into but it's just not my time :(

So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand (view spoiler)[why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Also, what on earth is going on with Reenie's master giving her to the master of the lodge on the day they all get dressed up for dinner? Did they get dressed up just for that? (hide spoiler)]

Anastasia my impression was (view spoiler)[that the dressing up was just a whim of the men, particularly Drayle who probably wanted to show off Lizzie (presumably he finds her irresistibly attractive). I thought the manager just liked the look of Reenie despite her 'unbecoming' dress and made a deal then and there with Sir to sleep with her (hide spoiler)]

I am almost finished - have loved it all the way through so far but I can't think of much to say yet, maybe I need to mull it over. It reminded me of My Brilliant Friend and Code Name Verity in the way that the viewpoint character has a bolder friend whom she admires (Mawu).

The Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ app won't let me see the "Spoiler Alert ". lol

Zanna wrote: "Anastasia my impression was [spoilers removed]

I am almost finished - have loved it all the way through so far but I can't think of much to say yet, maybe I need to mull it over. It reminded me of..."

(view spoiler)[But what could he have traded to convince Sir to do that? (hide spoiler)]

I did not make the connection to Verity but now that you mention it I agree.

Lee wrote: "The Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ app won't let me see the "Spoiler Alert ". lol"

Whoops, sorry! Not sure what to do about that haha

Anastasia wrote: "So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Also, what on earth ..."

(view spoiler)[ Slavery is just not a physical bondage but is also a psychological bondage. And often times being in the situation you know is better than the unknown. Lizzie has no idea what her master would do to her even if she just stayed behind. (hide spoiler)]

Anastasia wrote: "So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Also, what on earth ..."

(view spoiler)[ Rennie's master did it because he could. This was not that uncommon and another form of abuse associated with slavery to show you have absolutely no control over your own body. (hide spoiler)]

Zanna wrote: "Anastasia my impression was [spoilers removed]

I am almost finished - have loved it all the way through so far but I can't think of much to say yet, maybe I need to mull it over. It reminded me of..."

Good point about the viewpoint character.

Beverly wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Al..."

I concur! And maybe to get in good the the manager, to tell him get a taste.

Beverly wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Al..."

Makes so much more sense now, thanks Beverly.

Thanks for the perfect explanation Beverly = )

Anastasia wrote: "So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Also, what on earth ..."

(view spoiler)[The reason why she rats them out is because of Drayle. She tells herself that she is protecting the two slaves as they could be killed if they get caught but it is really because Drayle's ways of keeping his slave subdued is much more effective than Tip's. Slave holders didn't keep slaves bound by using just violence, they used psychological methods like even something as simple as not allowing them to choose their own names. Like Beverley says, giving Reenie over to the hotel manager is his way of keeping her bound psychologically by letting her know her body is not hers to own. Drayle uses the pretence of love to keep Lizzie bound. when we get to the section when Lizzie's past is revealed, you can see that Drayle does not love her, but he uses that to keep her subdued. When Fran almost sold Lizzie, Drayle would have freed her at that point if he loved her as he would not be able to stand having her in such a vulnerable position, but he doesn't. It's just his way of keeping her subdued and it is clearly much more effective that Tip's. (hide spoiler)]

I've reviewed the book and rated it 5 stars
/review/show...

Thanks, A.D. That was very insightful.

A.D. wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "So what are everyone's thoughts thus far? I'm really enjoying it but I'm trying to understand why does Lizzie rat them out instead of just staying behind and letting them run?

Al..."

Good review, A.D.!

Thanks, Anastasia and Lee. I've finished the novel now and can't wait to get started on the discussion.

A.D. wrote: "Thanks, Anastasia and Lee. I've finished the novel now and can't wait to get started on the discussion."

Yay!

So what are everyone's thoughts on the book? What moments stood out to you the most?

One thing a reviewer pointed out about the book on GR was that Perkins-Valdez focuses on some of the slaves reclaiming their heritage, including the religious part, instead of just adopting the Christianity of their owners. How do you feel about that? Does that add to the book?

I think that the overall message I was left with is that slaves never abandon family (view spoiler)[ and that this is the underlying reason why Lizzie does not try and escape whilst at the resort. I came to this conclusion because of how desperately sad the ending was. The only slave that escaped was Reenie, the one who didn't have any kids. And the fact that Mawu stayed even though she knew what she would face if she was caught is because she saw Lizzie as her sister and so she couldn't abandon her. I think Lizzie reclaims herself through adopting African religion or Mawu's story of them being goddesses. At one point in the novel Mawu asks her if her master is God to her and I think she says yes. But at the end of the novel she sees herself as a goddess and is looking to free her children instead of relying on others to do it so I think she will attempt to escape with her kids. The moment that stood out for me the most is Lizzie ratting out on them. It made me so angry that she could do that, especially to Phillip as he protected her and her children after she was attacked when Drayle pretty much cast her off. The other moment that stood out was when Mawu was attacked by Tip and his punishment. It made me even angrier with Lizzie and is also the reason why I was so upset about the ending. (hide spoiler)]

A.D. wrote: "I think that the overall message I was left with is that slaves never abandon family [spoilers removed]"
I think that's a good analysis, A.D.

(view spoiler)[I feel like Lizzie is given multiple chances to escape and she's just throwing them away.

Are you angry as in you don't think the book should have ended like that (like angry at the author)? Or angry as in the book succeeded in evoking those emotions in you? (hide spoiler)]

I feel like the book did a good job of showing what it was like to be a female slave. Like just how slavery can mess with your head.

Anastasia wrote: "A.D. wrote: "I think that the overall message I was left with is that slaves never abandon family [spoilers removed]"
I think that's a good analysis, A.D.

I feel like Lizzie is given multiple cha..."

I was angry at Lizzie's character so the author did a good job:-)

FYI -

Dolen Perkins-Valdez released her second book earlier this area year- another HF - Balm: A Novel.

Another very nice cover:

Beverly wrote: "FYI -

Dolen Perkins-Valdez released her second book earlier this area - another HF - Balm: A Novel.

Another very nice cover:

"

Is it a sequel or a separate book?

Anastasia wrote: "Beverly wrote: "FYI -

Dolen Perkins-Valdez released her second book earlier this area - another HF - Balm: A Novel.

Another very nice cover:

[bookcover:Balm: A N..."

I meant to say "year" not "area" - I don't know why my fingers type something different than what I want, :

It is a standalone and takes place right after the Civil War.

Beverly wrote: "Anastasia wrote: "Beverly wrote: "FYI -

Dolen Perkins-Valdez released her second book earlier this area - another HF - Balm: A Novel.

Another very nice cover:

[b..."

I read and reviewed Balm at /review/show...