Conjure Women is Afia Atakora's debut novel. This historical fiction novel was chosen as April's Barnes & Noble's Book Club Selection. The book is set in the Civil War era. It is the story of Miss May Belle and Rue, mother and daughter midwives and healers. They also are known for their conjuring curses. Miss May Belle narrates the story pre-Civil War, and Rue, her daughter, narrates the story after the Civil War. The other main character is Varina, the master's daughter, who grew up with Rue. After the Civil War, the group of slaves are now free and still living on the plantation. There are three main problems in the story that Rue has to deal with after the war. First of all, Rue helps a woman give birth to a strange baby. Then a sickness falls upon the children in the area. Finally, a preacher, Bruh Abel, comes to the village.
This is a wonderful story and so well-written. In her Random House interview, Ms. Atakora explained the extensive research she did to write the book, including reading primary sources housed in the American Slavery Documents online. As a reader, you felt drawn into the village. The characters are keeping many secrets from each other, which eventually leads to some shocking revelations.
I highly recommend Conjure Women by Afia Atakora. She is currently working on her second novel, to be set during the Harlem Renaissance in New York City.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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