Books

The Snake in the Garden is a collaboration between two women -- one Black, one white -- that delves into the minds of both Black and white characters. The result is an explosive depiction of racism in 20th-century America, and a powerful story of transcendence over the scars of the past. It's a riveting novel of love, racism and justice that resonates in our time and should be part of any discussion of racism in America today. The story is based on Brenda Sutton Turner's experiences growing up as a Black girl in Texarkana, Arkansas, where she witnessed the flagrant abuses of young Black men under the justice system. It's told through four generations of interracial relationships, and pays homage to Kate Chopin's brillant and devastating depiction of racism in her short story, "Desiree's Baby".