Grady Hendrix, an acclaimed horror writer known for his thought-provoking novels, dives deep into the chilling world of maternity homes before Roe v. Wade. He discusses how the oppressive environment of these homes shaped young girls' lives, revealing their struggles and eventual empowerment through witchcraft. The conversation also tackles the societal stigma around unwed motherhood and the haunting narratives that surround their choices. Hendrix connects these historical truths to modern issues, proving that horror can be a powerful form of social commentary.
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Life in Maternity Homes
Neva, a 15-year-old pregnant girl, is taken to a maternity home in Florida to give birth in secret.
She must live under a false identity and give up her baby for adoption without telling anyone.
insights INSIGHT
Varied Conditions in Maternity Homes
Maternity homes varied widely in treatment, from proper care to prison-like conditions.
Common traits were strict control, secrecy, and keeping girls ignorant about their births.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Witchcraft as Liberation
Girls in maternity homes received a spellbook from a mysterious librarian, teaching them real witchcraft.
This provided them power and control over their powerless lives, sparking dangerous consequences.
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In 'How to Sell a Haunted House', Grady Hendrix crafts a haunting and emotionally charged story that explores themes of death, grief, and inheritance. The novel follows Louise and her estranged brother Mark as they return to their childhood home after their parents' death, only to discover that the house is haunted by puppets and dolls. As they work through family secrets, they must confront the dark forces that do not want the house to be sold.
My best friend's exorcism
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Set in 1988 in South Carolina, the novel follows Abby Rivers and her best friend Gretchen Lang as they navigate high school. After a night involving LSD and a mysterious incident, Gretchen begins to act strangely, leading Abby to suspect demonic possession. The story delves into themes of teenage friendship, the challenges of growing up, and the horrors of demonic possession, all set against the backdrop of 1980s culture. Despite its horror elements, the book is also a heartfelt exploration of the power of friendship and the struggles of adolescence[2][4][5].
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
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Grady Hendrix
Wake Up Little Susie
Single Pregnancy and Race Before Roe v. Wade
Rickie Solinger
In 'Wake Up Little Susie', Rickie Solinger examines the cultural and political constructs that influenced public policy regarding single pregnancy from 1945 to 1965. The book reveals how these policies were racially specific, encouraging white women to relinquish their babies while subjecting black women to different social welfare policies. It offers a powerful insight into the complex politics surrounding race, class, and reproductive rights.
Before Roe v. Wade, when a young, unmarried girl got pregnant, she was often sent away – to a place called a maternity home. There, she would give birth in secret, surrender her baby, and return to her life as if nothing had happened. That shadowed history is the setting of Grady Hendrix's latest horror novel, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Today on The Sunday Story from Up First, Ayesha Rascoe talks with Hendrix about the truth that inspired his timely fiction — and what happens when people with little choice, discover a new kind of power.
Up First from NPR 
