The Ezra Klein Show Best Of: Barbara Kingsolver on ‘Urban-Rural Antipathy’
267 snips
Jul 29, 2025 
Barbara Kingsolver, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author known for exploring Appalachia and social justice, dives deep into the prejudice against rural communities. She discusses her acclaimed novel 'Demon Copperhead,' reflecting on its portrayal of Appalachian struggles and the socioeconomic divide between urban and rural areas. Kingsolver also addresses the opioid crisis, highlighting its toll on children and the overwhelmed foster care system. With anecdotes of personal dislocation and community resilience, she advocates for understanding and reconnecting across cultural divides.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Kingsolver's Appalachian Roots
- Barbara Kingsolver describes her upbringing in Appalachian Kentucky and time living in the Congo as a child.
- These experiences shaped her sense of identity and her writing voice.
Shame from Economic Stigma
- Appalachia is stigmatized because its land-based economy threatens the taxable money economy.
- The stereotype of rural people mocks their self-sufficiency as a way to undermine them.
Urban-Rural Political Divide
- Urban-rural antipathy is a longstanding dialectic that harms American politics.
- Rural people feel unseen and retaliate with distrust, leading to political division and communication breakdowns.
