'The House of Eve' explores Black motherhood and associated stigma in the 1950s

In the 1950s, pregnancy and adoption were topics often clouded in shame, secrecy – or both. That's certainly true for Eleanor and Ruby, the two protagonists of Sadeqa Johnson's new novel, The House of Eve. As the two young Black women try to maneuver the misogynoir in the society around them, they're also confronted with the complicated realities of becoming a mother. In today's episode, Johnson tells NPR's Ayesha Rascoe how those circumstances bring the characters together, and why she felt it was important to pay special attention to Black women's experiences during that time in history.

Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

NPR Privacy Policy