Episode 376: Revisiting Bernice L. McFadden and THE BOOK OF HARLAN

This is a rebroadcast of a conversation first aired live on KAZI 88.7 FM in April 2016, featuring Bernice L. McFadden, author of the 2016 award-winning novel, THE BOOK OF HARLAN. The interview—conducted by Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay with the assistance of contributor Evelyn Martin‑Anderson—was later shared on the podcast in July 2019. DVBR is revisiting the discussion now to celebrate Akashic Books’ release of a special 10th anniversary edition of the novel, which remains one of my personal favorites. In this wide‑ranging discussion, McFadden talks about the lyrical language that shapes her work, her deep engagement with family history, and the hidden histories she uncovers through fiction. She reflects on The Book of Harlan as a sweeping saga that moves from the American South to Harlem, Paris, and World War II–era Europe, exploring friendship, legacy, and the power of storytelling to “breathe life back into memory.”

Bernice McFadden is the author of several novels, including Glorious and Gathering of Waters. A MacArthur Fellow, her work is widely praised for its historical depth, poetic prose, and exploration of African American life across generations.

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