Hypnotic and tender, this book reminds us that even if we leave our homes, our homes never leave us.
Oprah Daily
[Hull] has that sly eye for sublime details, but also a killer instinct for tight storytelling.
Carl Hiaasen, New York Times Book Review
A richly evocative coming-of-age memoir set in the Florida orange groves of the 1960s by a Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist
Anne Hull grew up in rural Central Florida, barefoot half the time and running through the orange groves her fathers family had worked for generations. The ground trembled from the vibrations of bulldozers and jackhammers clearing land for Walt Disney World. Look now, her father told her as they rode through the mossy landscape together. It will all be gone. But the real threat was at home, where Hull was pulled between her idealistic but self-destructive father and her mother, a glamorous outsider from Brooklyn struggling with her own aspirations. All the while, Hull felt the pressures of girlhood closing in. She dreamed of becoming a traveling salesman who ate in motel coffee shops, accompanied by her baton-twirling babysitter. As her sexual identity took shape, Hull knew the place she loved would never love her back and began plotting her escape.
Here, Hull captures it allthe smells and sounds of a disappearing way of life, the secret rituals and rhythms of a doomed family, the casual racism of the rural South in the 1960s, and the suffocating expectations placed on girls and women.
Vividly atmospheric and haunting, Through the Groves will speak to anyone whos ever left home to cut a path of their own.
Dive into a captivating and poignant journey through memory and identity with Anne Hull's "Through the Groves: A Memoir." This evocative memoir, published in 2023 by Henry Holt and Co., transports readers to the heart of 1960s rural Central Florida, a landscape on the cusp of transformation. Hull, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist known for her insightful and empathetic reporting, turns her sharp observational skills inward, crafting a deeply personal narrative about family, belonging, and the complexities of self-discovery. "Through the Groves" is more than just a coming-of-age story; it's a vivid tapestry woven with the sights, sounds, and smells of a disappearing world. Hull masterfully recreates the atmosphere of the orange groves that defined her childhood, where the scent of citrus mingled with the ever-present rumble of bulldozers clearing the land for the burgeoning Walt Disney World. This juxtaposition of the natural and the artificial becomes a potent symbol of the changes that are reshaping not only the physical landscape but also the lives of those who inhabit it. Hulls upbringing provides a fascinating glimpse into a specific time and place in American history, where the old ways of life were slowly fading away in the face of modernization. The memoir delves into the intricate dynamics of Hull's family, painting a portrait of her idealistic but flawed father, deeply rooted in the traditions of the South, and her mother, a glamorous and ambitious woman from Brooklyn, struggling to find her place in this unfamiliar world. Caught between these two contrasting forces, Hull grapples with her own identity, feeling the suffocating weight of societal expectations placed upon girls and women in the rural South. Hull writes with a keen awareness of the societal pressures she and other women of her time faced, expectations that often stifled personal growth and limited opportunities. As Hull navigates the challenges of adolescence, she also begins to understand her own sexual identity, realizing that the place she calls home may never fully accept her. This realization fuels her desire to escape, to forge her own path and create a life on her own terms. The memoir explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the courage it takes to break free from the constraints of family and community. Critics have praised "Through the Groves" for its lyrical prose, its keen observations, and its unflinching honesty. Anne Hull's writing style is both beautiful and accessible, making the memoir an engaging read for a wide audience. The book received high praise from Oprah Daily and Carl Hiaasen, further solidifying its place as a must-read memoir. The book has been celebrated for its atmospheric prose and unflinching portrayal of family dynamics and self-discovery. It captures a sense of place and time with remarkable detail. Readers familiar with memoirs like Jeannette Walls' "The Glass Castle" or Tara Westover's "Educated" may find similar themes of resilience and self-discovery resonate within "Through the Groves." With 224 pages, this hardcover edition (ISBN: 9780805093377) offers a deeply immersive reading experience. "Through the Groves" is a testament to the enduring power of memory and the human spirit, a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page. Whether you're interested in LGBTQ+ memoirs, biographies of acclaimed journalists, or simply a beautifully written story about family and finding your place in the world, "Through the Groves" is sure to captivate and inspire. Order your copy today and embark on this unforgettable literary journey!
