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Dolen Perkins-Valdez

    This author explores complex human relationships, often focusing on themes that resonate within the African American experience. Her work is characterized by deep psychological insight and stylistic prowess, drawing readers into meticulously crafted worlds. Through her fiction and essays, she offers a distinct perspective on contemporary society and the human condition.

    Happy Land
    Wench
    Balm
    Take My Hand
    • 2025

      Happy Land

      • 384 pages
      • 14 hours of reading

      Exploring themes of heritage and atonement, the story follows Nikki as she uncovers her family's connection to a lost Appalachian kingdom founded by formerly enslaved individuals. After years of estrangement, Nikki visits her grandmother, who reveals the legacy of Queen Luella and the significance of their ancestral land. As Nikki learns about the thriving community that once existed and the need to protect its history, she realizes that reconciling the past may be her responsibility, urging her to confront generational mistakes.

      Happy Land
    • 2022

      Inspired by true events and a landmark case in US history, the unputdownable and deeply moving story of a black nurse who makes a shocking discovery about two young girls in her care

      Take My Hand
    • 2016

      The New York Times bestselling author of Wench and Take My Hand returns to the Civil War era in this powerful story of love and healing

      Balm
    • 2011

      Wench

      • 320 pages
      • 12 hours of reading
      3.7(767)Add rating

      Set in the years before the Civil War, the narrative follows four black enslaved women, exploring themes of power, freedom, love, and dependence. Drawing on historical context, it weaves a tale that highlights moral complexities and personal struggles, reminiscent of works by Lalita Tademy and Edward P. Jones. This debut novel showcases Dolen Perkins-Valdez's unique voice and storytelling ability, marking her as a promising new author in contemporary fiction.

      Wench