The House Girl
The House Girl
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2013
Book Brief
400
Novel • Fiction
Virginia • 1850s
2013
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The House Girl by Tara Conklin presents parallel stories of Lina Sparrow, a present-day lawyer in New York investigating slave descendants for a reparations case, and Josephine, a talented 17-year-old enslaved girl who escapes from a Virginia tobacco farm in 1852. Through Lina’s research into Josephine’s forgotten life, the novel unfolds the intertwined legacies of slavery and art, highlighting the quest for justice across different eras. The book includes themes of sexual violence and the brutalities of slavery.
Mysterious
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
69,804 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The House Girl by Tara Conklin offers a compelling dual narrative that intertwines the lives of a modern-day lawyer and a 19th-century slave. Critics applaud its rich historical detail and emotional depth. However, some find the dual storyline structure disjointed and occasionally predictable. The novel is praised for its exploration of race, art, and justice, but its pacing issues may deter some readers.
Who Should Read The House Girl?
Readers who enjoy intricate historical fiction with dual timelines will find The House Girl by Tara Conklin captivating. Fans of The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom and The Help by Kathryn Stockett, who appreciate stories of resilience, hidden histories, and the intertwining of past and present, will be enthralled.
69,804 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
400
Novel • Fiction
Virginia • 1850s
2013
Adult
18+ years
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