Between Two Trailers: A Memoir

Minister Trent (world religions and critical thinking, Wake Technical Community Coll.; One Breath at a Time) offers a wrenching, self-narrated memoir of her childhood, growing up in a trailer in rural Indiana. With calmness and clarity, Trent describes how her father, known as “King,” diagnosed with schizophrenia, trained Trent to chop marijuana and make dime bags when she was a preschooler. She also learned to be a lookout, scanning the environment for strangers and danger. King took her with him on drug drops and schooled her in self-defense tactics. Her mother, known as “the Lady,” who experienced severe depression, spent her time watching evangelical TV and consuming uppers and downers. Her mother moved them to North Carolina and divorced King, but with no understanding of finances, bankruptcy, and being unhoused, hardships followed. Trent straddled the rift between her parents while trying to discover herself, realizing that her upbringing was not typical. College brought on steady drinking and eating behaviors, which she overcame.