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Balm
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.
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.
269 pages, Hardcover
First published May 12, 2015
326 people are currently reading
5972 people want to read
About the author
Dolen Perkins-Valdez
11 books3,033 followersDolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author most recently TAKE MY HAND (2022). Take My Hand was awarded the 2023 NAACP Image Award for Literary Work-Fiction and the BCALA Fiction Award. It was named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 in Newsweek, San Francisco Chronicle, Essence, NBC News, and elsewhere, and it was an IndieNext and LibraryReads pick for April 2022. The Washington Post called it "a jewel of a book." Her other novels include Wench (2010) and Balm (2015).
Dolen has established herself as a pre-eminent chronicler of American historical life. In 2017, HarperCollins released her first novel Wench as one of eight "Olive Titles," limited edition modern classics that included books by Edward P. Jones, Louise Erdrich, and Zora Neale Hurston. In 2013, Dolen wrote the introduction to a special edition of Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave, published by Simon & Schuster, which became a New York Times bestseller. Recently, Dolen has written the Introduction for a 75th anniversary edition of George Orwell's 1984.
Dolen is the current Chair of the Board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation.
Dolen has established herself as a pre-eminent chronicler of American historical life. In 2017, HarperCollins released her first novel Wench as one of eight "Olive Titles," limited edition modern classics that included books by Edward P. Jones, Louise Erdrich, and Zora Neale Hurston. In 2013, Dolen wrote the introduction to a special edition of Solomon Northup's Twelve Years a Slave, published by Simon & Schuster, which became a New York Times bestseller. Recently, Dolen has written the Introduction for a 75th anniversary edition of George Orwell's 1984.
Dolen is the current Chair of the Board of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews
August 14, 2015
Gorgeously written. Such growth between Wench and Balm. The overall story could have been fuller and more throughly realized. Interesting structure. Madge and Hemp were such compelling characters. And my god. On a sentence level the writing was perfect. Satisfying. Enviable. Bravo.
abandoned
June 17, 2015I am really sad to say this because I absolutely loved "Wench", but I am abandoning "Balm" about halfway through. The storyline is boring, I don't really care about any of the characters, it's just a dud. And I have a personal rule that I will not waste my time on books that are not compelling to me, no matter how far along I am. Oh well, maybe better luck next time.
June 8, 2015
I’ve read books dealing with slavery and the emancipation of the slaves after the American Civil War. I’ve read books dealing with traditional herbalists from a variety of cultures. I’ve also read books that deal with trance mediums who can contact the spirits of the dead. Yet I’ve never read a book that focused on all three of these themes. Balm by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is that book. I received two copies of this book for free in return for this review. They are a paperback ARC directly from the publisher, and a digital ARC via Edelweiss.
This is a book that is primarily about healing. It's about the slow process of healing from the wounds of slavery, divided families and the mental anguish that resulted from these experiences. I am grateful for the artistry of this author that allowed her to shape a tale of three individuals that is also the story of the beginning of America's emergence from a terrible time in its history.
Because I received two copies I am doing a giveaway of the paperback ARC that I received from the publisher. To participate in the giveaway and read the rest of my review go to http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
This is a book that is primarily about healing. It's about the slow process of healing from the wounds of slavery, divided families and the mental anguish that resulted from these experiences. I am grateful for the artistry of this author that allowed her to shape a tale of three individuals that is also the story of the beginning of America's emergence from a terrible time in its history.
Because I received two copies I am doing a giveaway of the paperback ARC that I received from the publisher. To participate in the giveaway and read the rest of my review go to http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
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July 24, 2016A complex and intelligent story of grief and healing. Perkins-Valdez crafts three different characters along with their struggles into one edgy narrative. Blending paranormal with historical elements exceptionally done.
Madge freeborn, possessing a gift of healing via her hands and her knowledge of herbs. Seeking the love, approval and acceptance of her mother served as her driving force. Independent, determined to successfully capitalize from her gifts.
Sadie a Civil War widow, a medium hearing the voices of the deceased. Her form serving as the receptacle for the spirit of a deceased Civil War soldier. His appearance occurring at random, eventually his voice and spirit dominates and Sadie struggles to maintain her presence. Perkins-Valdez takes Sadie's character to another level adding to the entire narrative. Intricate and complicated, wonderfully developed, showcasing the mixed feelings Sadie battles with her gift or curse as a medium.
Hemp an emancipated slave with a compelling story. He searches for his wife who was sold. No idea of her whereabouts. His story depicts the ravages suffered through the separation of slaves from their family. He also tries to establish his identity as an emancipated man.
Perkins-Valdez spins a labyrinth yarn with three interesting characters intersecting to weave a detailed as well as smart narrative. A historical fiction offering a punch with plenty of stimulation.
For this and other reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
Madge freeborn, possessing a gift of healing via her hands and her knowledge of herbs. Seeking the love, approval and acceptance of her mother served as her driving force. Independent, determined to successfully capitalize from her gifts.
Sadie a Civil War widow, a medium hearing the voices of the deceased. Her form serving as the receptacle for the spirit of a deceased Civil War soldier. His appearance occurring at random, eventually his voice and spirit dominates and Sadie struggles to maintain her presence. Perkins-Valdez takes Sadie's character to another level adding to the entire narrative. Intricate and complicated, wonderfully developed, showcasing the mixed feelings Sadie battles with her gift or curse as a medium.
Hemp an emancipated slave with a compelling story. He searches for his wife who was sold. No idea of her whereabouts. His story depicts the ravages suffered through the separation of slaves from their family. He also tries to establish his identity as an emancipated man.
Perkins-Valdez spins a labyrinth yarn with three interesting characters intersecting to weave a detailed as well as smart narrative. A historical fiction offering a punch with plenty of stimulation.
For this and other reviews visit http://ravenhairedgirl.com
July 16, 2024
Balm by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a Historical Fiction novel that also contains Magical Realism. I am not sure what to say other than weird. And disappointing. I enjoyed the authors books “Take my Hand” and “Wench.” This one left me with why? It captures the emotional and physical healing in post-Civil War America. Set in Chicago, it follows the lives of three characters: Madge, a formerly enslaved woman with healing powers; Sadie, a white widow seeking to contact her deceased husband; and Hemp, a freedman searching for his wife. Perkins-Valdez writes of trauma, resilience, and the quest for freedom. This novel is well detailed and researched. It was a miss for me. The magical realism just did not work in this book for me.
June 6, 2015
I actually have no idea what to think about this book. It was pretty good at some parts, and at others I was completely bored. This book took me way to long to read for a book that was under 300 pages. I don't know whether it was the slow plot or the writing style that made me shy away from this book, but it just didn't seem to work for me.
My main grievance with this book was the pacing. I found it to be slow during most of the book. I don't have a problem with a slow book since one of my favorite series (ASOIAF) is very slow plot-wise, but this book took it from slow to boring. I just didn't feel like anything really happened during the majority of the book.
Another issue I had with this book was the writing. I'm not saying that the author didn't write well because I really felt like she had a lot of control over the English language. My problem with the writing was that it didn't adequately explain things. I found myself often confused at what she was trying to get across, and it was mildly annoying when I just wanted to read, but I had to go over paragraphs many times in order to understand what was going on.
I really didn't enjoy how the author described things either. She was VERY blunt in her descriptions, and it took away from the mood of the story. When the author compared a object or emotion to something related to *ahem* male sex organs, it really ruined the mood that the post-Civil War era naturally had.
I felt nothing towards the characters. They were just kind of there. I don't know whether that was a me thing or an overall feeling, but it was just disappointing. One of the main characters was a former slave, and I didn't care about the trails that he went through at all. It was like he was just kind of a filler character even though he was extremely important to the overall story.
Now that I have bashed every part of the book, I am going to be kind to it. I loved the atmosphere of the story. It was beautiful and romantic. The author did a pretty good job describing the affects of the Civil War on people in both the North and the South.
If this book was somewhat shorter, I feel like I would have enjoyed reading it a lot more since it would not have dragged on as much. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I loved the idea of this story, but I felt that the way it was written fell a bit flat for me.
January 16, 2015
It's really closer to a 3.5, but Goodreads. I would have given it a four, but it lost its momentum in the last third of the book. Overall, a really good read though.
July 1, 2016
High four star review, that I might bump up later if this book really sticks with me. This book follows three characters in Chicago after the Civil War. Lots about feminism and race here, thoughtfully done, though there's one thing about Hemp's storyline I'm still not sure about. There's also a good dose of paranormal in this book as well. I will definitely read her other novel now. I feel this book is underrated, and deserves more attention than what I've seen it get.
It stuck with me. Five stars.
It stuck with me. Five stars.
July 21, 2015
The first thing that hits you is the___________ prose. Insert there any positive adjective concerning prose that we all have read hundreds of time. I honestly couldn't come up with one that hasn't been overused, thus the blank. So, she certainly has a way with words and takes a blasé story, makes it interesting enough to engage a reader. Although, I didn't really care much for the story, the main characters are well developed and the fable well told. It's a story of people in search of something. In the case of Madge it is independence. For Sadie, it's a kind of peace. And for Hemp it is a wife that he was separated from during slavery.
The novel takes place mostly in Chicago, after the civil war where all 3 main characters converge. Hemp comes from Kentucky after the war, Madge travels from Tennessee looking for a change of pace and place, and Sadie settles in after the death of her husband in York, PA.
There was a bit of shabby editing, where a character was placed at a wedding and then a few pages later, he states he heard of the wedding through a friend. Strange, that this wasn't caught in the editing process. I think the writing is worthy of 3 stars, not much else there to lift it any higher.
The novel takes place mostly in Chicago, after the civil war where all 3 main characters converge. Hemp comes from Kentucky after the war, Madge travels from Tennessee looking for a change of pace and place, and Sadie settles in after the death of her husband in York, PA.
There was a bit of shabby editing, where a character was placed at a wedding and then a few pages later, he states he heard of the wedding through a friend. Strange, that this wasn't caught in the editing process. I think the writing is worthy of 3 stars, not much else there to lift it any higher.
June 7, 2020
Chicago in the aftermath of the American Civil War serves as the converging point for the three main characters in this tale. One is a freeborn herbalist seeking acceptance and independence, one is a Civil War widow with a supernatural “gift” searching for peace, and one is an emancipated slave desperate to find his family and his identity as a free man. The characters’ journeys and struggles are heartrending, and each voice is individual and authentic. This is an intricate story about the physical and mental wounds left by slavery and the war, about healing and grief, and about finding a sense of self. The divided nation is still reeling from the war, and the details of life in the era are well-researched. While the pacing is quite slow in parts, Balm is a compelling tale that is atmospheric and detailed, filled with rich, descriptive language.
February 28, 2020
2.5 stars rounded up.
I wanted to read this book a lot because I really liked Wench. Unfortunately, for me this book did not measure up to its predecessor.
I felt like the characters were flat and not well portrayed. At times I had trouble figuring out their motivations. Although the writing was beautiful, the story dragged on, at times almost aimlessly. When it ended, I felt disappointed, not that I had enjoyed it so much, but that it seemed pointless. A “that’s it?” kind of feeling.
On to better books.
I wanted to read this book a lot because I really liked Wench. Unfortunately, for me this book did not measure up to its predecessor.
I felt like the characters were flat and not well portrayed. At times I had trouble figuring out their motivations. Although the writing was beautiful, the story dragged on, at times almost aimlessly. When it ended, I felt disappointed, not that I had enjoyed it so much, but that it seemed pointless. A “that’s it?” kind of feeling.
On to better books.
January 8, 2016
This book was a bit difficult to follow. Enjoyed "Wench" much more.
May 31, 2015
What a wonderful book!!! I was fortunate to win an Advanced Reader's copy from Goodreads. Even though this is a fiction book, the author thoroughly researched many facts in the story. The story takes us back to the end of the Civil War and three characters: Hemp, Sadie and Madge. I grew to really care about them and was anxious to know their stories and what happened to them. I want to read the author's first book "Wench." Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a Harvard graduate and a truly wonderful writer!
June 18, 2025
This isn't my favorite of her books, but I feel like Dolen is a young Toni Morrison- a beautiful storyteller and writer. I liked the book, but it wasn't exciting. I feel asleep at one point. I still didn't hate it, I just didn't love it either.
April 2, 2016
I didn't care for this book as much as "Wench". Just an ok read for me and I wanted to like it, but it felt disjointed at times. I will read more of this author despite my thoughts on this one.
From Amazon:
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.
From Amazon:
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.
March 27, 2019
This is the story of three individuals attempting to make a life for themselves and move forward from the past, after the Civil War. Madge is leaving behind the love that she never received from her mother, Sadie is attempting to make a life for herself that does not involve the husband that she never wanted, and Hemp is attempting to find the wife that was sold off and make amends to her for the wrong that he had done.
All three stories were of great interest. The beginning was kind of boring, but once you got pass that, the flow of the stories were enjoyable. I was hoping that it would be a continuation of the lives of the women from Wench, but these new characters held their own.
All three stories were of great interest. The beginning was kind of boring, but once you got pass that, the flow of the stories were enjoyable. I was hoping that it would be a continuation of the lives of the women from Wench, but these new characters held their own.
October 15, 2015
I'd like to give this 3-1/2 stars if I could. This is a short novel set in Civil War era Chicago. Madge, from West Tennessee, has been ostracized by her sisters and mother, and moves to Chicago where she is spotted by a widow walking through fire. Madge is a root healer and Sadie, a young widow speaks to spirits, and thus, the two of them live together through thick and thin....
March 15, 2025
I’m disappointed beyond belief in this book. The other books by this author have been good so I assumed this one would be as well. I tried very hard to stick with this, but it just was not interesting, it was all over the place, and hard to follow. I was asking myself as I was reading what the point of the story was. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
August 23, 2023
This wasn’t my favorite it was too many characters for me to keep track of them there were name changes. I did the audio and I couldn’t tell who was talking about whom from which POV.
March 17, 2023
I had to shift my thinking to thoroughly enjoy this novel. After moving from trying to link Madge, Hemp, and Sadie together through magical realism and letting their stories unfold organically, I was good. The American Dream connection came later, and it was a unique and welcomed surprise.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2025
I was so disappointed that I didn't enjoy this book. I have read other titles by this author and loved them. The story organization felt very discombobulated and I never grew to care for any of the characters.
February 1, 2023
This book is appropriately named. The theme of this book is a balm or salve to the soul. It’s another postwar freed Black peoples story. However, it’s full of the hope, resilience, and newfound love of a people starting over. I enjoyed this because I bonded with ALL of the characters.
September 6, 2016
Ever since I read Wench, I have been itching to get my hands on another story by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. Balm relates the story of two women in post Civil War America, the widow Sadie, and Madge, an African-American woman that is hired by Sadie. Both women are healers in their own right. Sadie, haunted by the voice of a young soldier, makes her living by conducting séances to the mourners who line up outside her door. Madge sells salves and herbs to tend to the physical wounds that war has ravaged on their bodies.
Balm is an eloquently written story about the physical and emotional wounds that are left on people and on their nation. As a reader, the story also left me with a deeper impression of what so many people during the chosen time period went through.
Balm is an eloquently written story about the physical and emotional wounds that are left on people and on their nation. As a reader, the story also left me with a deeper impression of what so many people during the chosen time period went through.
August 15, 2016
When a debut novel is AMAZING, I am always nervous to read the follow up book from the same author. Hence I started reading Balm with a bit of trepidation. I love Wench so much and had similar high hopes for this book. The writing in Balm was amazing. Ms. Perkins-Valdez is a genius with words. Sadly though, I just couldn't care about the plot or its characters as much as I wanted, and I love myself a good migration story. I think if the book focused on Madge and Hemp and their lives I would have enjoyed the book a lot more. I didn't care anything about Sadie and became violently annoyed anytime her storyline came up.
Anyhow, I will always continue to read anything Ms. Perkins-Valdez writes because she is amazing. And on a side note, I normally don't pay the acknowledgements in the back of the book much attention, but the fact that she thanked the security guards for their encouragement literally brought me to tears. Along with the dedication to her daughters. Whoa.
Anyhow, I will always continue to read anything Ms. Perkins-Valdez writes because she is amazing. And on a side note, I normally don't pay the acknowledgements in the back of the book much attention, but the fact that she thanked the security guards for their encouragement literally brought me to tears. Along with the dedication to her daughters. Whoa.
June 20, 2015
Reading this was like immersing myself in a vat of viscous poetry: delicious, thick and at times barely breatheable. Perkins-Valdez really captures a sense of the time period and the precarious status of both women and Blacks as they navigate the post-civil war universe. The ghosts and the inexplicable healings only add to the magical mysticism of the main characters.
I've included a few sentences below just to give you an idea of her lyrical language.
Yet those awe-inspiring trains, slamming their brakes in a rush of steam, huffing like hulking shovers, reminded her of the impending sense of everything hurtling recklessly forward. It thrilled and frightened, entranced and repulsed, It was both a nascent Romish state and a virulent pesthole.
I've included a few sentences below just to give you an idea of her lyrical language.
Yet those awe-inspiring trains, slamming their brakes in a rush of steam, huffing like hulking shovers, reminded her of the impending sense of everything hurtling recklessly forward. It thrilled and frightened, entranced and repulsed, It was both a nascent Romish state and a virulent pesthole.
June 10, 2015
Read this novel in one sitting, because it kept me so engrossed in the story. Perkins-Valdez moves effortlessly between voices and uses the historical time period to not only reveal the hardships the characters had to face due to race/class, but also exposes how it adds complexity to the development of their identities and sense of family.
June 1, 2018
I picked this book up for a $1 and thought it sounded fascinating.. and yes parts of it was but this book seemed off to me. I felt like the author just put random thoughts in the story and it would jump suddenly around and the ending... well it just ended. I was thinking "Wait what?! it is over?" it just ended so abruptly... sad to say this was not a win for me.
February 9, 2016
Balm is a well written story of grief and healing.
I enjoyed the storyline and thought the characters were well developed.
The story started out a little slow for me , then picked up and slow again , like a rotation.
I keep reading and glad I did because overall the story was very good
I enjoyed the storyline and thought the characters were well developed.
The story started out a little slow for me , then picked up and slow again , like a rotation.
I keep reading and glad I did because overall the story was very good
September 5, 2015
Weird and frustrating and poorly edited. Take a step back and make an outline or something- This felt like a long, painful rough draft. And if this was growth from Wench, good lord.
January 8, 2016
Too convoluted and boring...The characters showed promise but the story never went anywhere. Too many characters had problems to solve.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 322 reviews