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Abortion Provider’s Novel Takes Readers Into Both Sides Of Debate

Indigo Cox's new novel tackles the complex issue of abortion from several perspectives.
Courtesy of Indigo Cox
Indigo Cox's new novel tackles the complex issue of abortion from several perspectives.
Indigo Cox's new novel tackles the complex issue of abortion from several perspectives.
Credit Courtesy of Indigo Cox
Indigo Cox's new novel tackles the complex issue of abortion from several perspectives.

Indigo Cox read many excellent academic books on women's reproductive health. But as a physician herself, and one who performs abortions, she wanted a book that told a story from both sides. 

Host Frank Stasio talks with writer and physician Indigo Cox.

She decided to hear those stories, she would have to write them herself. "Native Girl Rites" (Metamorphosis/ 2017) follows Mari Gray, a young woman of color who is training to provide abortions in a small town, and Amy, who finds herself involved in an extremist group intent on ending them. The book shows that the men and women embroiled in the debate over abortion are all people with stories to share, and that talking about the issue is always better than resorting to violence.

Host Frank Stasio talks with writer and physician Indigo Cox about creating characters on both sides of a highly divisive current issue.

Copyright 2017 North Carolina Public Radio

Jennifer Brookland is a temporary producer for The State of Things.
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.