The Rib King: A Conversation with Ladee Hubbard and Susana Morris

From the venue:

Charis welcomes Ladee Hubbard in conversation with Susana Morris for a celebration of Hubbard’s novel, The Rib King. This event is co-sponsored by the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History.

The acclaimed author of The Talented Ribkins deconstructs painful African American stereotypes and offers a fresh and searing critique on race, class, privilege, ambition, exploitation, and the seeds of rage in America in this intricately woven and masterfully executed historical novel, set in early the twentieth century that centers around the black servants of a down-on-its heels upper-class white family.

For fifteen years August Sitwell has worked for the Barclays, a well-to-do white family who plucked him from an orphan asylum and gave him a job. The groundskeeper is part of the household’s all-black staff, along with “Miss Mamie,” the talented cook, pretty new maid Jennie Williams, and three young kitchen apprentices—the latest orphan boys Mr. Barclay has taken in to “civilize” boys like August.