Growing Up in Rural Louisiana takes us through the life of a young girl raised in a tight-knit community in rural Louisiana from 1943 to 1963. Mullen-Martin captures the heart of her upbringing, starting with her early childhood, family dynamics, and the cultural influences of the time. The book revolves around key moments like the impact of local events, like tornadoes, school experiences, and the deep connection she had with her family, particularly her mother. The memoir paints a vivid picture of the challenges and joys of growing up in a small, rural Southern town during that era.

What really drew me into this memoir was the simplicity and warmth in the writing. Mullen-Martin’s voice is like sitting down with a friend who is telling you about her life over coffee. The way she describes her family’s interactions, especially her relationship with her mother, is heartwarming. The blend of vulnerability and humor, especially when the narrator reflects on events from her childhood, gives the memoir a really personal and intimate feel.

The sense of place and time in this memoir is so well done. You really get a feel for rural Louisiana, the community dynamics, and how life was structured around the land and small-town events. The descriptions of the family home, the small town of Tioga, and the importance of things like the local school or the family’s shotgun house add layers to her story. I loved how Mullen-Martin talks about their humble home with a picket fence. It’s a simple image, but it conveys so much about the pride they had in what they owned.

There were parts that felt especially nostalgic, even for someone who didn’t grow up in rural Louisiana. For instance, when she talks about the vase her brother brought back from the war and how it became such a significant symbol of her family’s connection, I felt that. It’s not just a vase, it’s memories and love wrapped into an object that carries her mother’s legacy. The way Mullen-Martin recounts this memory made me think of items in my own life that hold that same weight of history. And that’s what makes this book so relatable. It’s those small, everyday things that tell the bigger story of who we are and where we come from.

I recommend Growing Up in Rural Louisiana to anyone who enjoys memoirs that focus on family, place, and personal history. If you appreciate stories of simpler times, or if you’re curious about life in the rural South during the 1940s to 1960s, this book will definitely resonate.

ISBN: 979-8-9914644-4-4