Delivery: Special Delivery
Dear Readers,
Sometimes the books that sit quietly on our TBR lists the longest end up being the ones that stay with us the most.
The House of Eve had been waiting patiently on my Kindle for quite some time. When The Keeper of Lost Children was released last month, I did what many book lovers do. I set aside the books I already had in favor of the new release, promising myself I would circle back later. Now that I have finally finished The House of Eve, I wish I had read it first. Some of the characters appear again in The Keeper of Lost Children, and seeing their earlier stories unfold here would have added even more depth to that experience.
About The Story
In this novel, Sadeqa Johnson introduces us to two women. Ruby and Eleanor whose lives unfold along very different paths before eventually crossing in a way that feels both thoughtful and meaningful.
Ruby’s story begins with the complicated relationship she shares with her mother, Inez, who had her out of wedlock during a time when such circumstances carried heavy social consequences. Life soon places Ruby in a similar situation of her own, and her journey leads her to live with her Aunt Marie and eventually to a home for unwed mothers. The experiences she encounters there reveal a painful reality about how young women were treated when they found themselves in situations society refused to understand.
Eleanor’s journey unfolds in a different world. After leaving Ohio to attend Howard University, she falls in love with William Pride. While love opens the door to a new life, it also introduces her to the expectations of William’s prominent family, where class, status, and even the shade of one’s skin influence belonging. Eleanor’s struggle with acceptance, along with the heartbreak she experiences through recurring pregnancy loss, adds another layer of emotional depth to the story.
Reflections While Reading
While reading, I found myself connecting with both women in different ways. Ruby’s relationship with her mother and the bond she develops with her Aunt Marie felt particularly tender. Eleanor’s experience navigating colorism and classism within her own community was equally moving.
If there was one character who stirred frustration in me throughout the story, it was William’s mother, Rose Pride, whose pride and social status seemed to guide many of her choices.
Still, it was Ruby’s story that often made me feel the most protective. Her circumstances unfolded while she was still so young, faced with decisions that would shape the rest of her life.
Themes that Stayed With Me
Sadeqa Johnson meshed themes of motherhood, sacrifice, colorism, classism, interracial relationships, and survival throughout the novel, while also highlighting the quiet strength women have carried for generations.
My Final Thoughts
Reading this during Women’s History Month made the story feel even more powerful. It served as a reminder of how much women before us endured during times when their voices, choices, and rights were limited. Through years of struggle and sacrifice, Black women in particular have carried histories that deserve to be told with care and honesty.
Although every woman’s story; including my own, holds different truths and experiences, reflecting on where we have come from matters. In many ways, Sadeqa captures that journey beautifully through the lives of these characters.
When I reached the final pages, I found myself wishing there was just a little more of their story left to read.
Overall, The House of Eve was a thoughtful and meaningful read, one I would certainly recommend.
From Love,
The Letters
Add this to your shelf
From Love,
The Letters
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