How My Grandmother’s Stories About Our Ancestors Inspired My Novel “Junie” (Exclusive)

Erin Crosby Eckstine Shares How Her Grandmother’s Stories Inspired Her Novel ‘Junie’

Erin Crosby Eckstine, an author of speculative historical fiction and personal essays, reveals the profound impact of her grandmother’s storytelling on her latest novel, ‘Junie’. Born in Montgomery, Alabama, Eckstine’s upbringing was shaped between the South, Los Angeles, and eventually New York City where she attended Barnard College. With a master’s degree in secondary English education from Stanford University, she spent six years teaching high school English before settling in Brooklyn with her partner and their feline companions.

African-American culture is steeped in the tradition of oral storytelling, a practice passed down through generations. Eckstine’s grandmother played a pivotal role as the family’s storyteller, drawing from a treasure trove of narratives spanning decades. Her childhood home, bustling with relatives from different generations, provided a fertile ground for stories and imagination to flourish, with the kitchen being a central hub of whispered tales and family secrets.

Among the many stories passed down was that of Jane Cotton, Eckstine’s great-great-great-grandmother, who bravely escaped slavery before the Civil War to help establish a thriving African-American community in rural Alabama. This ancestral tale resonated deeply with Eckstine, sparking the creative flame that would eventually lead to the birth of ‘Junie’. Inspired by her grandmother’s rich storytelling legacy, Eckstine embarked on a journey to weave a multigenerational narrative akin to Isabel Allende’s ‘House of the Spirits’, set in their family’s hometown.

The genesis of ‘Junie’ was a cathartic process for Eckstine, particularly during the challenging circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world grappled with loss, isolation, and uncertainty, Eckstine found solace in crafting Junie’s story, immersing herself in a tale of love, loss, and liberation set against the backdrop of Bellereine Plantation in Alabama. The novel delves into themes of family, sacrifice, and the enduring pursuit of freedom, painting a vivid and nuanced portrait of Junie’s struggles and triumphs.

Eckstine’s creative journey was not only a personal endeavour but a tribute to her grandmother’s unfulfilled dream of chronicling their family’s history in a book. Through ‘Junie’, she sought to honour her grandmother’s storytelling legacy, capturing the essence of their shared heritage and the resilience of generations past. Despite the sombre turn of events that prevented her grandparents from reading the finished manuscript, Eckstine finds comfort in the belief that they are watching over her, their spirits intertwined with the narrative of ‘Junie’.

‘Junie’ emerges as a poignant coming-of-age tale, tracing Junie’s poignant journey as she grapples with profound choices and unexpected revelations that challenge her perception of love, family, and self-discovery. Against the backdrop of societal upheaval and personal turmoil, Junie’s story unfolds with a raw honesty that honours the complexities of the human experience, transcending the stereotypical portrayals of enslaved individuals often found in literature.

In a poignant reflection on her grandmother’s storytelling legacy, Eckstine acknowledges the deeper purpose behind the shared narratives of their family’s past. Through ‘Junie’, she continues a lineage of storytelling that serves as a tribute to the resilience, strength, and enduring spirit of those who came before. As ‘Junie’ takes its place among the literary landscape, Eckstine’s poignant narrative stands as a testament to the power of storytelling to bridge generations, illuminate forgotten histories, and honour the legacies that shape our identities.