
Between Two Trailers
A Memoir
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Narrated by:
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J. Dana Trent
A powerful, unforgettable memoir about a girl who escapes her childhood as a preschool drug dealer in rural Indiana—only to find that no one can really “make it out” until they make peace with where their story began: home
Home, it turns out, is where the war is. It’s also where the healing begins.
Dana Trent is only a preschooler the first time she uses a razor blade to cut up weed and fill dime bags for her schizophrenic father, King. While King struggles with his unmedicated psychosis, Dana’s mother, the Lady, a cold and self-absorbed woman whose personality disorders rule the home, guards large bricks of drugs from the safety of their squalid trailer. But when the Lady impulsively plucks Dana from the Midwest and moves the two of them south, their fresh start results in homelessness and bankruptcy. In North Carolina, Dana becomes torn between her gritty midwestern past and her newfound desire to be a polite southern girl, struggling to reconcile her shame with an ache to figure out who she is, and where she belongs.
But the past is never far behind. After persevering through childhood and eventually graduating from Duke University, Dana imagines that her hidden Indiana life is finally behind her, only to realize that running from her upbringing has kept her from making peace with the people and places that shaped her. Ultimately, Dana finds that though love for family is universally complicated, there is no shame in survival, and for those who want it, there is always a path home.
©2024 J. Dana Trent (P)2024 Random House AudioListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
“[Trent] captivates with this coming-of-age memoir about her parents’ mental illnesses, her realizing the meaning of home, and yearning to belong . . . This debut is everything fans of memoirs could hope for: a beautifully written, searing and honest tribute to family.”—Library Journal, starred review
“A potent memoir about a young woman’s escape from a toxic childhood . . . [and] a powerfully intimate look into the struggles of American poverty and mental illness.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Fans of Jeannette Walls and Tara Westover will be drawn to Trent’s blend of grit and hope.”—Publishers Weekly
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An unusual and compelling story.
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This book was everything and more
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How an Indiana Girl Turns a Hard - knock Childhood Into A Life of Service
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Honesty and hope in the midst of a very challenging childhood
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Wisdom and Grace
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As I turned the pages, I saw myself in the author's story. The author's vulnerability and courage in sharing their trauma resonated deeply with me, and I felt seen and understood in a way that few books have achieved.
What struck me most was the Dana's productive approach to addressing their trauma. This memoir is a testament to the human capacity for resilience and growth. The writing is evocative, relatable, and engaging, making it easy to become fully invested in the story.
"Between Two Trailers" is a must-read, at least once in your life. It's a reminder that our stories matter, and that healing and growth are possible.
In short, I loved this book, and I'm grateful to have found it.
A Heartfelt and Cathartic Read
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the best I can do. From a listener.
what a story! But not a "story", which is often synonymous with "lie", in southern speak. This one is true.
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that it's relatable
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Well written thoughtful story
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excellent book
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