The House of Eve

Books | Fiction / Historical / General

4.4

(88)

Sadeqa Johnson

“Amazing…I was completely surprised by the ending of this beautifully told and written book.” —Reese Witherspoon “A triumph of historical fiction” (The Washington Post), an instant New York Times bestseller, and a Reese’s Book Club pick, 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. 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’s elite wealthy Black families, and his parents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is 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.

Historical Fiction

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Author

Sadeqa Johnson

Pages

384

Publisher

Simon and Schuster

Published Date

2023-02-07

ISBN

1668021080 9781668021088

Community ReviewsSee all

"3.75⭐️ First completed book of Black History Month reads A compelling story of two women entirely unknown to each other yet whose desires and destinies profoundly intertwine. Each working to achieve success and autonomy in an era when women are oppressively entrenched in gender limitations, which in this story intersect very specifically with race, socioeconomic status and reproductive rights. This is a well written book that held my interest, though it didn’t reach deep enough through the layers for me. With such intensive issues that have always, and will always deeply concern and affect all women, from every walk of life, it should have elicited a stronger emotional punch. I wish the secondary characters were fleshed out to greater extent, either negatively or positively, to help the reader connect and allow the story to coalesce more deeply. The dramatic dimensionality is fairly slight so that even the most devastating events fall a bit anti-climactically. I’m a person that cries easily when moved in any way and given the gravity and importance of the story I really should have. Being neither somber nor preachy however, it’s told in a way that most of us can either relate to, learn from or even enjoy."

Sher Free✌️

"The parallel stories of two women - one in DC and the other in Philly - in the late 40’s. These young and ambitious women aim for college degrees and careers when their lives take unplanned turns on their life journeys. Direct look into racial divides and the dilemma of unwed mothers."

Jackie Davidson

"I loved this book. The two stories are told side by side. Two unwed young pregnant women in the 1950’s, how they were treated, how racism affected their situation and how shame and guilt affects relationships for generations."

Merry

"So good and so sad Heart wrenching family drama Teen mothers giving up children "

Cara Grant

"Spectacular. The storytelling was amazing, intertwining the two characters' paths crossing. I loved the reference from Yellow Wife and the Epilogue was pure gold."

Rebecca Medlin

"Easy read"

Lauri Weinberg

"Washington D.C."

Rachel Joy

"Such an Incredibly beautiful story. All the feels. I need time to come up with a better review. To be a pregnant black woman in the 1950’s. To have an interracial relationship in the 1950’s. I am falling completely in love with historical fiction. There is a lot of love and caring. There are a lot of mistakes and misunderstandings. There is so much hatred and disdain that it makes my blood boil. Such a good reminder that I don’t ever want to live in those times, no matter how many nostalgic stories people want to tell. "

Leah

"The House of Eve" is a historical fiction novel set in the 1950s, alternating between the lives of Eleanor and Ruby, two ambitious black women navigating unexpected love, unplanned pregnancies, and life-changing decisions. Ruby, a determined 15-year-old living in Philadelphia, aspires to become the first in her family to attend college and pursue a career in medicine. Meanwhile, Eleanor, a student at Howard University in Washington, harbors secrets of her own. When she meets and falls for William Pride, a member of the elite and wealthy Black family in DC, they aren’t convinced Eleanor is good enough for them. Ruby and Eleanor's stories intersect unexpectedly, which is further enriched by a surprise cameo from "The Yellow Wife." I was rooting for both characters. Having thoroughly enjoyed this book and "Yellow Wife," I am now a huge fan of Sadeqa Johnson. "