This Friday, you’ll hear MPR host Kerri Miller’s conversation with novelist Mesha Maren. Her new book, “Perpetual West,” is set along the U.S.-Mexico border and explores the art, activism and identity of a divided community.

It harkens back to a discussion Miller had in 2020 with Yaa Gyasi. Both Gyasi’s acclaimed debut novel, “Homecoming,” and her second release, “Transcendent Kingdom,” tackle themes of identity and culture in a new land.

Guest:

• Yaa Gyasi is a Ghanaian American novelist, author of “Homecoming” and “Transcendent Kingdom,” and recipient of the National Book Foundation's 2016 "5 Under 35" Award. 

To listen to the full conversation you can use the audio player above.

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