Downing's novel traces the layered inheritance of Black and Cherokee identity through the fictional life of a young girl, Ophelia Blue Rivers. The story is set in the historical town of Etsi, which confronts what the author calls America’s “two original sins” — Black enslavement and Indigenous genocide — and invites readers to reflect on what happens when those histories meet in one body. For me, I was particularly drawn to how the novel processes historical and inter-generational wounds, and what literature means in this context for collective healing.
Recommended Reading:
This podcast is sponsored by Riverside, a professional conference platform for podcasting.
Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!
Start for FREE
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
