Balm

A Novel

By: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Narrated by: Lisa Renee Pitts

The New York Times bestselling author of Wench returns to the Civil War era to explore the next chapter of history—the trauma of the War and the end of slavery—in this powerful story of love and healing about three people who struggle to overcome the pain of the past and define their own future.

The Civil War has ended, and Madge, Sadie, and Hemp have each come to Chicago in search of a new life.

Born with magical hands, Madge has the power to discern others’ suffering, but she cannot heal her own damaged heart. To mend herself and help those in need, she must return to Tennessee to face the women healers who rejected her as a child.

Sadie can commune with the dead, but until she makes peace with her father, she, too, cannot fully engage her gift.

Searching for his missing family, Hemp arrives in this northern city that shimmers with possibility. But redemption cannot be possible until he is reunited with those taken from him.

In the bitter aftermath of a terrible, bloody war, as a divided nation tries to come together once again, Madge, Sadie, and Hemp will be caught up in a desperate, unexpected battle for survival in a community desperate to lay the pain of the past to rest.

Beautiful in its historical atmosphere and emotional depth, Balm is a stirring novel of love, loss, hope, and reconciliation set during one of the most critical periods in American history.

It was great in parts- but mostly

It was a good book. I was surprised at the twists. The reader was not my favorite. I need not care for the character voices.
The era was the saddest, so I didn't expect great happiness inside the book, but I found some hope regardless.

Just okay

The book wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't great either. I can't think of a favorite part or what I like least. Just a story. My book club did not delve deep into this one.

I thought we'd see more of the Wench Characters

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but I wished that we saw what happened to the characters from the author's book. Also, the narrator tended to fall in to a baby voice that drove me insane. Even with that, this was a great experience and I would listen to it again!

I liked this as much as I remember liking Wench.

I liked this as much as I remember liking Wench.

If you’re like me, I have to be in the proper mood to read about anything to do with the American Civil War and slavery, due in large part to my african-american heritage. I read this in companion with a Civil War non-fiction book called “Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy” which is about women and how they contributed to the war effort on both sides.



This book follows the story of 3 people and how they get on with life during the Reconstruction period in Chicago, a wealthy White widow, a free Black woman and a man who is a former slave.



I mostly enjoyed this book. There were some interactions between some of the characters that was a little icky- the boundary of consent in particular- but over all the characters are lively and likable.

Painfully slow @ times

This book didn't keep my attention the way her first book did. It was painfully slow @ times. I felt like the author used more words just to take up space. I'm happy I made it to the end but there were certainly many unanswered questions.