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The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

By Deesha Philyaw
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw is a collection of nine short stories that delve into the complex lives of Black women and girls caught between the dual forces of religion and their desire for freedom. It explores their struggles with identity, love, and relationships, offering intimate glances into their inner worlds, desires, and conflicts. The narrative elegantly highlights how they grapple with their own secrets and the expectations imposed by the communities around them.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by stories that explore the complexity of women's lives, particularly those of Black women, navigating love, family dynamics, and identity. With its blend of humour and poignancy, the narrative dives into themes of faith and desire, offering a refreshing and relatable perspective on the intersections of race, gender, and culture.

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The irresistible literary debut about the hidden desires of church-going Black women

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"Left me wanting more. Masterfully written." – Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie

"Joyous... It's a book in love with life." – The Times

"Exquisite... delicious." – Bolu Babalola, author of Love in Colour

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies explores the raw and tender places where Black women and girls dare to follow their desires, and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good.

There is fourteen-year-old Jael, who nurses a crush on the preacher's wife; the mother who bakes a sublime peach cobbler every Monday for her date with the married Pastor; and Eula and Caroletta, single childhood friends who seek solace in each other's arms every New Year's Eve.

With their secret longings, new love, and forbidden affairs, these church ladies are as seductive as they want to be, as vulnerable as they need to be, as unfaithful and unrepentant as they care to be – and as free as they deserve to be.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw has been described as tender, truthful, and joyous, showcasing flawed and intensely human characters. Readers appreciate the collection for its richly crafted stories and characters, celebrating the complexities of life and love. Recognised for its masterful writing, the book is lauded for exploring both the nuances of human relationships and the characters' rich interior lives.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781911590712

Publisher: Pushkin Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 June 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: ONE

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 224

Collections

Deesha Philyaw Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction

About the Author

Deesha Philyaw is an American author, columnist and public speaker. Her debut, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, won the 2021 Pen/Faulkner Award, the 2020/2021 Story Prize, and the 2020 LA Times Book Prize for First Fiction and was shortlisted for the National Book Award. It is currently being adapted for television by HBO Max. Deesha is also a Kimbilo Fiction Fellow and will be the 2022-2023 John and Renee Grisham Writer-in-Residence at the University of Mississippi.

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