4.5 out of 5
| Language | : | English |
| File size | : | 790 KB |
| Text-to-Speech | : | Enabled |
| Screen Reader | : | Supported |
| Enhanced typesetting | : | Enabled |
| X-Ray | : | Enabled |
| Word Wise | : | Enabled |
| Print length | : | 373 pages |
"The past is alive in the present, whether we like it or not. The dead do not always remain buried."
- Tayari Jones, "The Last Original Wife"
Synopsis
"The Last Original Wife" is a gripping historical fiction novel by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tayari Jones. Set in the Deep South of the 1960s and 2000s, the novel tells the intertwining stories of two women: Anah, a young black woman who falls in love with a white man named Henry, and Blythe, the white wife of Henry's wealthy grandfather, James Leland Jefferson.
When Anah and Henry's secret affair is discovered, it sends ripples through their community, tearing apart families and exposing long-hidden prejudices. Thirty years later, Blythe's memory of that time is stirred when she receives an anonymous letter revealing her husband's secret past with Anah.
As Blythe investigates the truth, she uncovers a web of family secrets, racial tension, and the enduring consequences of love across generations. "The Last Original Wife" is a mesmerizing tale of forbidden love, the burden of history, and the power of redemption.
Historical Context
Tayari Jones sets "The Last Original Wife" against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, a time of racial upheaval and change in the American South. The novel explores the complex dynamics of interracial relationships, the lingering effects of slavery, and the struggle for racial equality.
The novel also delves into the history of the Old South, specifically the plantation culture of the antebellum era. Through Blythe's memories, we learn about the tangled and often tragic lives of the Jefferson family, including James Leland Jefferson's scandalous first wife, Hattie, who was an enslaved woman.
Characters
- Anah: A young, intelligent, and independent black woman. She falls in love with Henry, despite the social and racial barriers that separate them.
- Henry: A white man from a wealthy Southern family. He is torn between his love for Anah and his family's expectations.
- Blythe: The elderly white wife of Henry's grandfather. She is haunted by the secrets of the past and seeks to uncover the truth about her husband's hidden life.
- James Leland Jefferson: Henry's wealthy grandfather, a powerful and enigmatic figure who has shaped the lives of his family and the community.
Themes
"The Last Original Wife" explores a wide range of themes, including:
- Forbidden Love: The novel examines the complexities and challenges of interracial love in a segregated society.
- Family Secrets: The past and present are intertwined as secrets are revealed, exposing the hidden truths that have shaped the lives of the characters.
- Racial Prejudice: Jones portrays the deep-rooted racial prejudices that continue to haunt American society, even decades after the Civil Rights Movement.
- Redemption: The novel offers hope and the possibility of redemption for characters who have made mistakes and carry the burden of guilt.
Critical Acclaim
"The Last Original Wife" has received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising Jones's masterful storytelling, evocative prose, and the depth and complexity of her characters. The novel has been awarded numerous accolades, including:
- 2018 Women's Prize for Fiction
- 2018 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction
- 2018 National Book Critics Circle Award finalist
"The Last Original Wife" is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that explores the enduring legacy of the past, the complexities of race and family, and the transformative power of love. Tayari Jones's lyrical prose and unforgettable characters will stay with readers long after they finish the book. A must-read for lovers of historical fiction, Southern literature, and stories about the human condition.
