Picture a storyteller who weaves magical realism with sharp social commentary, crafting tales that linger long after the last page—meet Ladee Hubbard! This American novelist, born in 1970, has captivated readers with her inventive narratives and unforgettable characters. From her award-winning debut, The Talented Ribkins, to the haunting historical drama of The Rib King, Hubbard’s work blends heart, humor, and a fearless exploration of race, class, and identity in contemporary America.
With a voice that’s both fresh and profound, Hubbard has carved a unique space in literary fiction. Her stories, often rooted in African American experiences, resonate with readers seeking depth and originality. Ready to dive into the world of a writer Toni Morrison herself praised? Let’s explore Ladee Hubbard’s journey and why her stories matter.
The Making of Ladee Hubbard
Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Ladee Hubbard’s early life was a tapestry of diverse influences. Raised partly in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where her mother worked as a lawyer, and spending summers in Florida with her grandparents, Hubbard developed a deep connection to family and community. These roots would later shape her storytelling. After earning a BA from Princeton, an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a PhD in Folklore and Mythology from UCLA, she honed a scholarly lens that infuses her fiction with cultural richness. Now a professor at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she’s lived since 2003, Hubbard began writing The Talented Ribkins while reflecting on her grandfather’s values and the power of education.
Ladee Hubbard’s Unforgettable Stories
Hubbard’s debut novel, The Talented Ribkins (2017), is a magical realist gem inspired by W.E.B. Du Bois’s essay “The Talented Tenth.” It follows Johnny Ribkins, a 72-year-old mapmaker with a peculiar superpower, and his niece Eloise, as they embark on a Florida road trip to recover stolen loot. The Ribkins family, each with quirky abilities like wall-scaling or fire-spitting, grapples with their civil rights legacy and personal failures. Praised by Toni Morrison as “wildly inventive,” the novel won the Ernest J. Gaines Award and Hurston/Wright Legacy Award for its blend of humor, heart, and social critique.
In 2021, Hubbard released The Rib King, a prequel set in the early 20th century. This historical novel centers on August Sitwell, a Black groundskeeper for a struggling white family, whose image is exploited to sell a barbecue sauce. The story, lauded for its “dazzling tour-de-force” by Booklist, explores race, ambition, and betrayal with searing insight. Hubbard’s short story collection, The Last Suspicious Holdout (2022), further showcases her range, chronicling a Black neighborhood from the 1980s to Obama’s inauguration with wit and empathy. Her style—layered, character-driven, and infused with cultural history—makes each work a vibrant tapestry of human experience.
Why Ladee Hubbard Matters
Ladee Hubbard’s impact lies in her ability to transcend stereotypes, offering nuanced portraits of Black resilience and complexity. Her stories challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths about race, class, and privilege while celebrating the strength of community and family. Awards like the Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award and fellowships from Radcliffe and the American Academy in Berlin affirm her influence. As a New Orleans-based writer and educator, Hubbard inspires a new generation to explore identity through storytelling, making her a vital voice in American literature.
- Born: 1970 in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Key Works: The Talented Ribkins, The Rib King, The Last Suspicious Holdout
- Awards: Ernest J. Gaines Award, Hurston/Wright Legacy Award, Rona Jaffe Foundation Writers’ Award
- Current Role: English professor at Tulane University
About Ladee Hubbard
Snag The Talented Ribkins and dive into Ladee Hubbard’s vibrant, thought-provoking world of magical realism and social insight!