About this episode
Janie Crawford – back in her hometown of Eatonville, Florida – recounts a journey of self-discovery, structured around three marriages. Their Eyes Were Watching God is Zora Neale Hurston’s most celebrated work and a classic text of the Harlem Renaissance. In today’s Books We’ve Loved , Andrew Limbong and B.A. Parker , joined by R. Eric Thomas , discuss what makes this novel a coming-of-age story, despite its focus on a woman in her late 30s. And special guest Tayari Jones shares her take on Hurston’s relationship to folklore. Eric’s Recommendation: ‘Getting Mother's Body’ by Suzan-Lori Parks Parker’s Recommendation: ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ by Laura Esquivel Andrew’s Recommendation: ‘Tom Lake’ by Ann Patchett To listen to Book of the Day sponsor-free and support NPR's book coverage, sign up for Book of the Day+ at plus.npr.org/bookoftheday Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy