Ann Arbor author Amanda Uhle unveils her family’s complexities in her memoir, “Destroy This House,” set to be released on August 26, 2023. The book chronicles the turbulent journey of her parents and their impact on her quest for independence. Uhle, who serves as the publisher for McSweeney’s, a nonprofit publishing company known for its literary journal and humor website, draws from her personal experiences to paint a vivid picture of her family’s struggles.
Uhle’s parents led a life marked by constant relocation, moving from state to state, ultimately settling in southeast Michigan. Her father, an optimistic dreamer, often envisioned success despite mounting debts and unpaid taxes. Meanwhile, her mother battled compulsive hoarding, accumulating multiples of everything while making questionable choices regarding her health and lifestyle. Uhle describes her parents in her memoir as “loving, vibrant people stuck inside their own distorted reality.”
In the prologue, Uhle writes, “The years I spent with my parents are preserved by vivid extrasensory memories, but the actual facts of what happened feel impossible to pin down.” This sentiment encapsulates the essence of her family’s story, which is filled with reinvention and the struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy. As Uhle reflects on her upbringing, she states, “We were the Longs, and we lived on Longs Island,” a metaphorical space representing their tightly knit bond amid chaos.
The Journey of Self-Discovery
Uhle’s memoir not only recounts her family’s history but also her personal evolution. As she transitioned from a teenager to adulthood, she grappled with the realization that she was not responsible for her parents’ challenges. “I kind of never got over it,” she admits. The internal conflict of whether she did enough or too much for her parents has been a recurring theme in her life, which she believes resonates universally.
The inspiration for “Destroy This House” emerged during her tenure at 826Michigan, a network of free youth writing and tutoring centers co-founded by author Dave Eggers. After her father suffered a stroke, a colleague encouraged her to document her family’s story, prompting Uhle to consider the value of her experiences. Although she hesitated to start writing until 2021, the process ultimately became a cathartic journey.
Uhle’s family dynamics, characterized by financial instability and emotional struggles, shaped her narrative. Her father’s aspirations as an ambitious salesman led the family to a brief period of affluence, which quickly dissolved as his ventures faltered. Living in a lavish home in Indiana gave way to a more modest existence as her father’s dreams collapsed, culminating in a drastic career shift to become a Lutheran pastor.
From Chaos to Connection
Throughout her memoir, Uhle presents a nuanced view of her parents, emphasizing their individuality and quirks. She notes that her parents perceived themselves as extraordinary, often disregarding societal norms. Despite the challenges, Uhle recalls a childhood filled with laughter and love, a testament to the complexities of family life. “My childhood was strange and it was difficult,” she reflects, “It was also unexpectedly fun.”
Feedback from her brother, who read drafts of the memoir, affirmed Uhle’s portrayal of their childhood. He described the writing process as akin to watching a movie about their upbringing, highlighting its authenticity.
The launch of “Destroy This House” will commence with Uhle’s appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on August 25, followed by a launch event at the Ann Arbor District Library. This will kick off a cross-country book tour with stops planned in cities like Kalamazoo, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Uhle hopes to include Detroit in her itinerary later this fall.
Now a mother and stepmother, Uhle has cultivated a life that embraces connection. She cherishes the opportunity to welcome guests into her home, a stark contrast to her childhood. Reflecting on her upbringing, she expresses a desire to honor her parents through her writing, believing they would initially feel a mix of embarrassment and pride in being memorialized.
Uhle’s memoir promises to resonate with readers navigating their own familial complexities, illustrating that the journey toward understanding and acceptance is a universal experience.
