Dominion by Addie E Citchens review – a portrait of patriarchy's horrors

The Lead

Addie E Citchens's debut novel, Dominion, has been shortlisted for the Women's Prize, and for good reason. This powerful and thought-provoking book is a scathing critique of patriarchy and the horrors that can arise when men are given unchecked power.

The Event Details

Set in the fictional town of Dominion, Mississippi, at the turn of the millennium, the novel follows the Winfrey family, a prominent Black church family whose grandeur conceals a deep and hereditary decay. The story centers around Sabre Winfrey Jr, a charismatic and confident man who leads the largest congregation in the state, and his wife Priscilla, who writes his sermons and maintains the machinery of his authority.

The Data Analysis

The novel highlights the ways in which women's lives are warped by the whims and cruelty of men. The character of Priscilla is a powerful example of this, as she struggles to navigate her role as wife and mother in a society that expects her to prioritize her family's needs above her own.

The Impact Analysis

The book's exploration of patriarchy and power is both timely and urgent. Citchens's portrayal of a society built on male entitlement is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of challenging societal norms.

The Prediction

As the novel comes to a close, it is clear that Dominion is a book that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it. Citchens's writing is both beautiful and brutal, and her characters will linger in readers' minds for a long time to come.