The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is a captivating literary debut that delves into the hidden desires of Black women who attend church. It explores the raw and tender places where these women and girls dare to follow their desires and pursue a momentary reprieve from being good. The characters are seductive, vulnerable, unfaithful, and unrepentant, and as free as they deserve to be.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Pushkin Press

The captivating literary debut delves into the hidden desires of church-going Black women, leaving readers eagerly craving for more. Written with finesse by Candice Carty-Williams, Queenie Joyous offers a profound exploration of life's essence. The Times praises it as "exquisite" and "delicious," while Bolu Babalola, author of Love in Colour, describes it as "a book in love with life."

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies takes readers on a journey into the raw and tender spaces where Black women and girls dare to pursue their desires, seeking a temporary escape from the expectations of being good. Within this tale, we meet fourteen-year-old Jael, who cherishes a secret crush on the preacher's wife; the mother who bakes a sublime peach cobbler every Monday for her rendezvous with the married Pastor; and Eula and Caroletta, single childhood friends who find solace in each other's arms on New Year's Eve.

These church ladies, with their secret longings, newfound love, and forbidden affairs, exude a captivating allure that is both seductive and vulnerable. They are unfaithful and unrepentant, yet remain free as they deserve to be. Through their stories, Carty-Williams sheds light on the complexities and contradictions of Black womanhood, challenging societal norms and offering a fresh perspective on the lives of these remarkable characters.

Queenie Joyous is a testament to the power of storytelling and the ability of literature to delve into the depths of the human experience. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates well-crafted narratives and wants to explore the uncharted territories of desire and fulfillment.

Weight: 198g
Dimension: 128 x 198 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781911590712