Super Short Summary

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson, set in the 1940s-1950s, chronicles the lives of high schooler Ruby Pearsall and college student Eleanor Quarles Pride as they navigate challenges shaped by gender, racism, and poverty. Ruby, striving to escape generational poverty through education, faces an unwanted pregnancy and adoption pressures. Meanwhile, Eleanor, struggling with class and colorism, marries William despite family opposition and deals with multiple miscarriages. The novel tells their intertwined stories of resilience and second chances. The book includes depictions of anti-gay bias, miscarriage, sexual assault of minors, forced adoption, racism, and mentions death by suicide.