The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw

 

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

by Deesha Philyaw

"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. The nine stories in this collection feature four generations of characters grappling with who they want to be in the world, caught as they are between the church’s double standards and their own needs and passions."

The quote above is from the back cover of the book and nothing I can say in summary would describe it any better than that. This is a 5-star book, full of incredible voice after incredible voice. The prose is direct and honest, striking right into the minds and hearts of the characters in these stories. Each story in the collection is strong, unapologetic, and unrestrained. They are raw and real, full of sadness, strength, hope, and desire. A real pleasure to read and to immerse yourself in.