If you have been reading my reviews for awhile, you will know that I tend to gravitate toward books by and about strong women. This week we take a look at two such books.
The first is The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson. This book is set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington DC with themes about sacrifice as women. We have the stories of two protagonists – Ruby and Eleanor. Ruby is 15 years old and is on track to be the first in her family to attend college. She begins a taboo love affair which threatens to derail her plans. Then we have Eleanor who is attending Howard University where she meets and falls in love with William. They are madly in love but William is from an elite, wealthy Black family. Eleanor finds it difficult to find acceptance and to fit within these circles.
It feels like these are two unrelated stories of Black women, but their paths end up crossing in an unbelievable way. The characters were brilliant. The story was well-researched. I loved the style of writing, and this was one that I devoured in a day. I could not put it down. As usual, I won’t say any more about the plot as I don’t want to ruin it for you. Pick this one up. I have also added Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson to my TBR which has also received rave reviews. You may see a review of that one in 2024!
Next up this week we have The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Hammel which has to be the book that I have been recommended the most since I started my Matilda’s Room reviews. I can see why! I read this one in September 2023 and it was my favourite book of the month. This historical fiction gem takes you deep into the heart of World War II, unfolding the tale of Eva Traube, a forger helping children escape the clutches of the Nazis. You’re instantly hooked as the story flips between wartime Europe and modern-day Florida, where an aged Eva discovers an old book that could reconnect her with her past.
The characters are so fleshed out, you’d think they were real people. Eva’s transformation from a young, carefree student to a daring forger is both believable and relatable. She’s accompanied by Rémy, a fellow resistance member. Their complex relationship adds another layer of tension and emotion that’s absolutely gripping.
One thing I loved is how the author handled the theme of identity. These people are literally rewriting their names and histories to survive. Yet, they also strive to preserve the essence of who they are. It made me think about those who survived World War II but lost so many parts of themselves. The book of lost names isn’t just a physical object; it’s a metaphor for the hidden stories and sacrificed identities during this dark period.
There are a lot of World War II books out there but this is more than just another World War II story. It’s a deeply touching tale with a look at different aspects of the war. This will make you think about the importance of remembering those who came before us.
This one was recommended to me, and now I am recommending it to you, because life is too short to read bad books.