When author Nyani Nkrumah was given the opportunity to return to Mississippi, the setting of her new novel “Wade in the Water,” she jumped at the chance.
This Monday, she is kicking off a five-city tour of the state in Columbus at Friendly City Books at 5:30 pm.
“It’s amazing to be able to engage with readers on this level because I am an avid reader too and like to get up close and personal with the lives of the characters,” Nkrumah told The Dispatch.
“Wade in the Water” is Nkrumah’s first book. It is a labor of love that she worked on over the course of several years whenever she found free time outside of her long career in international development. Nkrumah’s specialty is in natural resources, and she holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University, a master’s degree from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College.
Nkrumah previously visited Mississippi to research her book and told The Dispatch about her moving experience at a memorial for Mt. Zion Church, the home of a historically Black congregation in Neshoba County which was firebombed by the Klan in 1964. The civil rights workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner were looking into the church’s burning when they were murdered by the Klan that summer.
As “Wade in the Water” unfolds, the narrative bounces back and forth between flashbacks to these events and the aftermath two decades later in the fictional rural town of Ricksville, Mississippi, where the residents have never truly reckoned with the legacy of racism.
Free copies of the book will be available at the five Mississippi book tour events for high school, college, and graduate students while supplies last through the Friendly City Books Community Connection, a special project of the CREATE Foundation.
After Columbus, Nkrumah will visit bookstores in Oxford, Cleveland, Jackson and Pass Christian. She will be joined by moderator Lauren Rhoades on four of the tour stops. Rhoades, a graduate of Mississippi University for Women’s MFA program in creative writing, is a staff member at the Mississippi Arts Commission and the editor of Rooted Magazine.
This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Why did you set “Wade in the Water” in Mississippi?
The first thing I ever learned about Mississippi was about the Mississippi River. That was as a child, and for a while I was pretty obsessed with the spelling of the name– so much so that I know how to spell it frontwards and backwards and it was my childhood “secret” password for a long time.
But, really, in terms of the book, I chose Mississippi because as we all know, some big moments in history happened here during the Civil Rights era, and while the book mostly takes place in 1982, there are flashbacks in Katherine’s story into that era.
How would you describe the book and its characters?
The novel takes the reader on a journey through the minds of the two main characters, Ella, who is Black and 12, and Katherine who is white and 34, as they navigate a complicated friendship within the backdrop of an all-Black community. The story is written in first person narrative, which has the effect of bringing the reader right up close and personal with these two characters.
How have readers reacted to “Wade in the Water” so far?
I have had so many different reactions. Everyone feels some personal connection to Ella, and many want to know more about Katherine and what happens to her. Some love the ending, and others do not, and they want to find out why I ended it that way, or they tell me about how the book changed their lives or made them feel better about themselves.
What do you hope readers get out of your book?
The first is a really good reading experience. I belonged to a book club for many years and there is nothing better than having a book that turns pages, that makes you want to find out what happened next and that you would want to discuss later with friends and family. Secondly, I want the reader to think about the characters and the storyline long after he or she puts the book down.
Since high school and college students will receive free copies at the event, what do you want them to take away from reading the book?
My hope is that getting involved with these characters makes readers including our high school and college students think, in a good way, about societal relationships across racial divides– particularly how we can improve them, the examples both good and bad that have been set before us, the long term ramifications of past actions and what we need to do to ensure that change for the better keeps coming.
Emily Liner is the owner of Friendly City Books, an independent bookstore and press in Columbus.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion