The 10

A Memoir of Family and the Open Road

By: E.A. Hanks

Narrated by: E.A. Hanks

From the Vanity Fair and New York Times contributor comes a “masterful blend of humor, heartache, and unforgettable landscapes” (Adrienne Brodeur, New York Times bestselling author of Wild Game) recounting the solo, cross-country road trip she made along the Ten across the American southwest on a mission to uncover both what harrowing violence may or may not have happened to her late mother, but also, to look within and discover who she herself is—where her mother ends and she begins.

Driving her trusty minivan “Minnie,” E.A. Hanks retraces the route of a memorable road trip she once took with her mother, seeking to understand the complex woman who shaped her life. Along the way, as she follows her mother’s diaries and her own recollections of the route, she begins to uncover secrets—some unexpectedly wonderful, and others darker and more violent than she ever imagined—that bring more questions than answers.

From the quiet expanses of White Sands National Park to the bustling streets of New Orleans, and the Texas-Mexico border to the swamps of the Florida panhandle, she interacts with the amazing breadth and diversity of the people that call these places home. Reckoning with the past, the present, her memories, and herself, Hanks brings us along a poignant journey, revealing how the stories tied to the places we come from shape the narratives of who we are.

Critic reviews

"Journalist E.A. Hanks conversationally narrates an account of her solo road trip along Interstate 10, retracing the route she drove with her mother from California to Florida as a child in 1996. As she immerses herself in conversations with residents and explorations of towns like Tombstone, Arizona, and Palatka, Florida, Hanks grapples with questions about the formative impressions of place on identity and interpersonal relationships. Following her mother’s death in 2000, Hanks read the journals and poetry she left behind, searching for insight into her mother’s inner life and family history. Delivering the material with candor, Hanks thoughtfully shares shades of loneliness, pain, and love for a parent who was struggling with substance addiction and mental illness. Filled with insightful commentary on the complexity of mother-daughter relationships, this production inspires self-reflection from listeners."

Time OTR (on the road)

Very inspiring chapter of 6 months of a single female on the road. She makes a plan, then makes it happen - without over planning her itinerary- has the adventure of her life. Healing, relatable and real.

Wanted to like it ... halfway through and need a break

I really wanted to like this book. I pre-ordered it and waited for it with much anticipation. But, while the prose is technically very good, I'm halfway through and am just wondering when we're going to get anywhere. So far, all that's been discussed is every painstaking detail of a long camping/road trip where nothing really happens. It reminds me of those kids who study abroad and suddenly make those 6 months abroad their whole personality. I love memoirs but this piece is lacking in the true memoir category. We get just a touch of scenes from her chilhood but never in any real detail. And, the road trip and scenes from the author's past are not congruent often enough to make the road trip interesting. I find my mind wandering as I read.

I may come back to this book after taking a break, and perhaps I'll realize Ive been too harsh. After all, I haven't even finished it, right? Who knows, maybe it's a gem and I'm just too impatient....

Raw and honest conversation about some challenging topics.

EA is a great author. Phenomenal storyteller and great perspective. A great listen for anyone that regularly catches themself asking “why” for any myriad of reasons or situations.

beautiful writing

wished she would have found out more about her grandfather, felt that that was what was pushed at the beginning but then nothing

self discovery

started out with fast speaking intro but once the author got comfortable, the story of self discovery can be enjoyed. Road trip for all