The 10

A Memoir of Family and the Open Road

De: E.A. Hanks

Narrado por: E.A. Hanks

From Vanity Fair and The New York Times contributor comes a beautifully written, deeply felt memoir recounting the solo cross-country journey she made along the Ten across the American southwest: 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.

In her trusted loaded-up minivan “Minnie,” E.A. Hanks follows the same route as a long-ago road trip with her mother in an attempt to better understand the complicated woman who gave 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 beautiful voyage towards understanding how the stories we tell about the places we’re from ultimately become the stories we tell about the people we are.

©2025 E.A. Hanks (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

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

E.A. Hanks’s writing never flinches—always fresh, vulnerable, and deeply honest

Every time I read E.A. Hanks’s work, I’m struck by how alive her prose feels. It’s fresh, vulnerable, and honest—sometimes even a little scary in the best possible way. She has a rare ability to write without flinching, even when the material cuts close to the bone.

"The 10" is her most personal work yet: a memoir that explores the complicated, sometimes painful relationship with her mother. From the opening chapters, you know it’s going to be the kind of book that stays with you—not just because of the story it tells, but because of the fearless way Hanks tells it.

(And as a New Orleanian who often hates the way interlopers write about our city, I'm happy to say that Hanks GETS the city. We'd welcome her with a sazerac anytime. She doesn't just write about New Orleans – she listens to it)

Refreshing journey of self-reflection

E.A. Hanks takes us on a remarkable journey with themes of minimalist travel, exploring childhood trauma, and a path to healing. Hanks’ down to Earth personality and openness to where ever this journey was taking her is magnetic. She shares tidbits about her relationship with members of her family in such a casual way that is so endearing. The way she describes her journey of processing her trauma feels very relatable to this midwestern girl. There were so many times in the book where I just wanted to reach out and give her a “you are not alone” kind of hug.

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.

Very engaging I couldn’t stop until I was done

As a lover of road trips I loved her insights about each of the places she stopped. My mother has passed as well and although she did not have these issues there seems to be so much I never learned about who she really was.

The quality of the writing

The back and forth that revealed her search for truth and closure on the questions she had about her life..

Her beautiful writing and cadance.

there was nothing I disliked in this, a written book.... is that 15 words yet?

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

Not as Advertised

I pick up this book thinking it was going to be an exploration of the author's research into her grandfather and a possible crime he committed. That story line was barely explored and kind of abandoned. Though it was not what I expected, the author's reflection on her relationship with her mother kept me listening and interested.