Between Two Trailers

A Memoir

By: J. Dana Trent, Barbara Brown Taylor - foreword

Narrated by: 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 Audio

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

An unusual and compelling story.

An authenticly American voice, possibly crosses over into poverty p*** . Similar to the book Glass Castle.

what a story! But not a "story", which is often synonymous with "lie", in southern speak. This one is true.

See above which is Title, Review, and conclusion.
the best I can do. From a listener.

How an Indiana Girl Turns a Hard - knock Childhood Into A Life of Service

I have read all of Dana Trent’s books. I love her style and easy to read format. Her memoir is a remarkable account of turning tragedy into triumph. Great read and flow to her story. Always something to glean to make your life richer and fuller.

Honesty and hope in the midst of a very challenging childhood

Being from western Kentucky, I could relate to Dana’s story surrounding a love of home and family and also her need to make it a part of her story, not the whole of it. The author’s perseverance and grit are inspiring. I highly recommend this touching and well narrated memoir.

Wisdom and Grace

This book is beautifully written and heartbreakingly wise. Thankfully my life has little in common with the author’s upbringing, but I was drawn in completely to her extraordinary story. What a strong compassionate person she is. I am a better person for reading it.

A Heartfelt and Cathartic Read

"Between Two Trailers" is a memoir that has left an indelible mark on my heart. I've searched for a book like this in countless others, and finally, I've found it. Dana's writing is masterful, weaving a narrative that's both poignant and empowering.

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.

Well written thoughtful story

A snapshot into life that tells a hard story with grace and manages to find insight and hope. Worth listening to.

excellent book

what a excellent book. love J Dana's voice!!! Will highly suggest this to other!