"I think that messy, sort of evolving spiritual element of Black Americans' lives ... has allowed us to survive, and not only to survive, but also to thrive."

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward balances grief and injustice with joy and reclamation in a sweeping, lyrical novel that brings often overlooked history into the light. Ward joins us to talk about exploring historical fiction, writing beyond the world we can explain, and finding the connections between literature, grief, connection and more with Miwa Messer, host of Poured Over. We end this episode with TBR Topoff book recommendations from Marc and Madyson.

This episode of Poured Over was hosted by Executive Producer Miwa Messer and mixed by Harry Liang.

New episodes land Tuesdays and Thursdays (with occasional Saturdays) here and on your favorite podcast app.

Featured Books (Episode):

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward

Where the Line Bleeds by Jesmyn Ward

Salvage the Bones by Jesmyn Ward

Featured Books (TBR Topoff):

Beloved by Toni Morrison

Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson