Super Short Summary

Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a historical novel set before the Civil War, following the lives of four enslaved women, Lizzie, Reenie, Sweet, and Mawu, who are taken as mistresses by their white masters to a summer resort. Through their interactions, Mawu inspires the others to contemplate escape, leading to a deeper exploration of their constrained lives and fleeting glimpses of potential freedom. Topics include violence, abuse, and the complex dynamics of enslavement.