The Secret Lives of Church Ladies

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies is a debut short story collection by Deesha Philyaw. The book contains nine stories about Black women, church, and sexuality and was released on September 1, 2020 by West Virginia University Press. It was a finalist for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction.[1][2]

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
AuthorDeesha Philyaw
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreLiterary fiction, short story
Published2020
Media typePrint
Pages192 (paperback first edition)
ISBN978-1-949199-73-4

Plot

The collection consists of nine stories that explore the intersection of sexuality and Christianity. Black women protagonists appear in each story. Topics covered include infidelity, casual sex, and lesbian relationships.[2]

Background

The title refers to the catch-all term for church-going women that Philyaw learned growing up.[3] These women were prim, conservatively dressed, "who makes sure not a hair is out of place, never speaks out of line, and does all the right Godly things."[4]

Philyaw stated in an interview for Richmond Free Press, "I see the book as centering Black women in their own stories of the tug of war they experience between their desires and what they may have learned at church."[5]

Philyaw was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida.[5] She was raised attending church and attended services under the denominations of AME, Baptist, Pentecostal, COGIC, and Missionary Baptist Church. Philyaw drew on those experience to write about how the church space influences female sexuality. She no longer attends church services but has fond memories of that time.[5]

Publication history

Reception

The Secret Lives of Church Ladies received critical acclaim. Marion Wink reviewed the book for Star Tribune and stated: "This collection marks the emergence of a bona fide literary treasure."[2] Wendeline O. Wright further praised Philyaw in Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: "“The Secret Lives of Church Ladies” is an unforgettable look inside the hearts of Black women as they evaluate their relationships — with God, their families, and themselves."[6]

Kirkus wrote in a starred review, "No saints exist in these pages, just full-throated, flesh-and-blood women who embrace and redefine love, and their own selves, in powerfully imperfect renditions. Tender, fierce, proudly Black and beautiful, these stories will sneak inside you and take root."[7] In a similarly positive review, Publisher's Weekly wrote, "Philyaw’s stories inform and build on one another, turning her characters’ private struggles into a beautiful chorus."[8] The nuanced characters were further praised by Jordan Snowden, who described Philyaw's writing in Pittsburgh City Paper: "She shows these women, these Black women, in spaces they aren’t usually seen — having sex in a parking lot, in same-sex relationships, going to therapy, as a person filled with longing and desire."[4]

Awards and nominations

TV adaptation

In January 2021 it was announced that Tessa Thompson's newly formed production company, Viva Maude, had picked up the collection to be adapted for television.[12] Philyaw is slated to write the adaptation and co-executive produce with Thompson.[13]

See also

Notes
  1. Some of the stories were published previously before being selected for the collection.

References
  1. Williams, John (2020-10-06). "National Book Awards Finalists Announced". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-10-22.
  2. Winik, Marion. "Review: 'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies,' by Deesha Philyaw". Star Tribune. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  3. O'Driscoll, Bill. "Pittsburgh-Based Author Explores 'The Secret Lives Of Church Ladies'". www.wesa.fm. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  4. Snowden, Jordan. "Book Review: Deesha Philyaw's The Secret Lives of Church Ladies". Pittsburgh City Paper. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  5. Banks, Adelle M. (2020-10-15). "'The Secret Lives of Church Ladies' is finalist for National Book Award". richmondfreepress.com. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  6. Wright, Wendeline O. (2020-09-10). "Deesha Philyaw's debut short story collection explores faith and fidelity". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  7. "THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES". Kirkus. 2020-06-17. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  8. "The Secret Lives of Church Ladies". www.publishersweekly.com. 2020-06-08. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  9. Mayer, Petra (2020-10-06). "Charles Yu, Kacen Callender Among National Book Award Finalists". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  10. "Here Are the 2020 Finalists for The Story Prize". Literary Hub. January 12, 2021.
  11. Liaw, Amanda (2021-02-02). "Announcing the longlist for the 2021 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction | The PEN/Faulkner Foundation". PEN/Faulkner Foundation. Retrieved 2021-02-05.
  12. White, Peter; White, Peter (2021-01-15). "Tessa Thompson Launches Production Company With First-Look Deal At HBO/HBO Max, Will EP 'Who Fears Death' & 'The Secret Lives Of Church Ladies' Adaptations". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  13. White, Peter (2021-01-15). "Tessa Thompson Launches Production Company With First-Look Deal At HBO/HBO Max, Will EP 'Who Fears Death' & 'The Secret Lives Of Church Ladies' Adaptations". Deadline. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
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