With ‘Mother, Nature’, Jedidiah Jenkins captures the complex relationship between parent and child, over the course of a roadtrip with his mother, and inspires a thought-provoking conversation about if it is possible to accept those you love even if they do not conform to your views on life.

Before starting, none of my judgment on this book is about Jenkins’ views regarding his relationship with his mother. While I may not agree with his acceptance, it is not my place to pass judgment on what works for him. I think that his discussion of boundaries is admirable in its own way and definitely an interesting view to read about. However, I do not think just because Jenkins’ ideas are interesting does not mean the novel was told perfectly.

One of my main concerns was about how one of the first stories was about how his mom was disturbed by Jenkins’ publicizing of their relationship and it’s issues… and yet this entire book was exactly that. Of course, that’s the point of the novel but it just fell into the category of oversharing for me at points. Also, the one moral thing I will judge— do men not know their moms are people? I just need to know because it stressed me out.

I did really enjoy the ending, though! When there weren’t page long transcripts of podcasts or stories about stomach issues, Jenkins introduces some really complex conversations about religion and what it means to love others and oneself under God. As someone who is queer and grew up in the church, it’s not something that is easily grappled with. I really valued how candid Jenkins was with balancing his love for his mother while valuing his own happiness. The car ride scene was really beautiful.

Overall, an interesting read and definitely worth it if you can connect with religious issues within yourself or with your family. However, I think much of the journey distracted from what the book was actually meant to represent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Convergent Books!

After a turbulent childhood filled with both personal traumas and eventual family disengagement, I recall reaching this place in my early 20s where I was sitting tearful in my car and picked up a payphone (Remember those?) and called my mother and asked "the question" - "Are sorry I was born?"

I instinctively knew the answer would be "No!" even if the answer was not, in fact, "No!" Yet, there was something inside of me that needed that conversation as part of my own healing journey.

I thought of those days often as I read "Mother, Nature: A 5,000-Mile Journey to Discover if a Mother and Son can Survive Their Differences" by esteemed travel writer and author of the bestselling "To Shake the Sleeping Self" Jedidiah Jenkins.

In "Mother, Nature," Jenkins shares with tender matter-of-factness the story of a 5,000-mile journey he took with his 70-year-old mother in an effort to really discover if their relationship could survive their core differences. The journey followed the route his mother and taken with his father that became the basis of the bestselling "Walk Across America" series in the 1970's.

If you're hoping for a book dripping with sentimentality and emotional resonance, you may very well find "Mother, Nature." There's an almost mundane quality to at least 2/3 of "Mother, Nature" as mother and son head off with their love for one another clearly intact yet clear boundaries dictating no significant conversations. They share a love of podcasts, diners, and thrift stores.

She, on the other hand, is a conservative evangelical Christian who believes his sexuality is a sin and is uncompromising in that belief while still also asserting her love for him. He, on the flip side, longs for his mother's approval and a decision that when he finally marries, to a man, that she will attend the wedding.

They love each other. They really do. Yet, there are key differences and needs unmet.

Over the course of 5,000 miles, questions are revealed both spoken and unspoken. These questions aren't just Jedidiah's. They are universal - How do we stay in relationship when it hurts? When do boundaries turn into separation? When do we stand up for ourselves, and when do we let it go?

The best books are like the conversations that unfold here. They are grounded in love yet complex and challenging. This is very much the case with "Mother, Nature," a remarkable story that will challenge readers to see beyond black-and-white and into the complexities of what it means to be in relationship and to love another human being.

Refreshingly devoid of the usual literary histrionics and faux emotions in favor of naturalness and simplicity, "Mother, Nature" is a tender affirmation of the complexities of love and the beauty of living within them.

I was beyond excited to be approved to receive an ARC of Jenkins’ newest book as, having read (and loved) his previous books, it was already on my list to pre-order soon.
I find myself devouring his books as he is a natural storyteller in a way that not many can accomplish. This book was no different— I found myself laughing, crying, and nodding my head along throughout the entire book. He describes the mother/child relationship in a way that many will be able to relate to: the expectations we hold, the enduring bond/love that exists in a way that can’t always adequately be put into words (yet he found a way!), along with the juxtaposition of leading your own life but still always yearning for the approval of our parents. And, what do you do when your core beliefs are in stark contrast to those who are the very crux of your being?


“ We revisit the past because we want to believe that what shaped us lasts forever. It does not. This is helpful for those who have trauma, and tragic for those returning to remember beauty. I guess you can't have one without the other. Change is either fast or slow, and it is all there is.”

I have been a fan of Jedidiah Jenkins for years now, anxiously awaiting his first book and now, after devouring his third, I'm an even bigger fan. His writing invites readers into a deeply personal experience of adventure, self- turmoil and deeply rooted family relationships. I read in anticipation as I awaited the "big" conversation he needed to have with his mom and found myself conflicted with a warmed yet broken heart at his grace in handling it all. I felt like a backseat rider on this road trip and found myself reflecting on my own relationships. Thoroughly enjoyed and was so honored by the vulnerability Jed offered his readers.

As a one time follower and fan of Jedidiah Jenkins and a reader of "To Shake the Sleeping Self" I was really looking forward to reading this new memoir about his relationship with his mom. As a person considered a "black sheep" in my family, I've always wrestled with this idea of how to love and care for people who have fundamentally different beliefs.

The book was a good read but I felt like it took a really long time to get to the point which was (spoiler alert): his mom would not support his same sex marriage. He carried us through so many stories and even detailed the "big talk" but didn't reveal the determination of that until the very end.

I closed this book unconvinced that you can really remain close to family members who believe who you are is wrong.

I loved every moment of this memoir; I was sad it was short and ended so quickly! Jedediah Jenkins is a masterful storyteller. His mother, Barbara Jenkins, is incredible. Their joint journey is something special a to read about.

Jed is nearly 40. He is a writer living in LA. He is also queer. His mother, Barbara, is in her mid-70s. She is a staunch right-winger. Barbara prays everyday for Jed to become heterosexual. It’s not working (obviously). Somehow, the two are close and loving anyway.

Barbara is an icon in her own right. Maybe if you’re of an older generation, you know about her and Jed’s dad, Peter, who walked across America in the 1970s. I didn’t. They literally walked. Across. The USA. For no reason. National Geographic ended up documenting parts of their journey. They wrote books about it and became celebrities.

Jed loves traveling with Barbara. Usually he brings a buffer. But for some reason, when the idea comes to retrace Barbara’s cross-country journey together by car, the two decide to do it alone.

Barbara brings her original journals and shares pieces of her experience as they drive. They visit homes and stores she stayed at forty years earlier. They listen to podcasts detailing topics germane to the geography or location. And they share bits of their hearts.

The mother-son relationship between Jed and Barbara is heart-warming to read about. And in moments, heart-breaking. There is so much love. And they are both so incredible in their own right. I talked about this book a lot as I read it, which is always the sign of a really good one. Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley & publisher for an ARC.

Favorite quotes:
“For her, there is a right way to make breakfast. It involves butter, bread, and cheese. Remove any one of them, and you are not making food. You’re making California propaganda flavorless cardboard.“

“ Why would she tell me to do that, but tremble every time I travel to Mexico or some big city? Maybe there’s a chasm between the fearlessness of her childless youth, her memories from then, and the fearfulness of a protective mother.”

I read Peter Jenkins’ books shortly after they came out and really enjoyed them. I saw that his son Jedidiah was an author as well but only recently learned he’s gay.

As an adult lesbian, this book appealed to me because my relationship with my mother was very strained. I tried multiple times to have conversations with her about my life and even shared with her how hurt I was that she never accepted my partner. She returned my teary-eyed look with an emotionless stare. Jed’s mom couldn’t reconcile his gayness with her religious beliefs, and even though I’m not religious, that was more acceptable to me than my mother’s worry about the appearance of my gayness. After all, ‘What will people think?’
It’s been over 30 years since she first asked me to move away to spare her the embarrassment. Meanwhile, the religious woman who would later become my mother-in-law accepted me the moment we met.

Undertaking this trip down memory lane with his mom was a brave act for Jed. He experienced many of the same difficulties I did but in the close confines of a car and several hotel rooms.

It was tough getting through this book. My emotions climbed and fell. Each debate between mother and son triggered bad memories when I was seeking clarity.

I would definitely recommend Mother, Nature. I think it’s a great eye opener for any relationship at an impasse. You can put your feelings out there and hope for the best, but sometimes the love and acceptance comes from your chosen family and that’s OK.

Thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Vivid memoir of the relationship of a gay libera travel writer with his conservative Christian mother. Barbara Jenkins of "walk across Ameeica." fame.

CW: Homophobia, animal death
One thing that I love about Jedidiah Jenkins' writing, particularly in his memoir writing, is the really beautiful and poignant moments of self reflection that seem to be universal human experiences. This book had some of those moments, but they seemed more surface level than his other works. Overall, while I loved the premise and the story of going on a road trip with his mother, the actual storytelling more like a stream of consciousness rather than sharing an experience. In addition to this, the way that experiences were shared seemed choppy and frenetic. There were several parts of the book where he quoted podcast episodes or articles verbatim. I believe that these quotes were intended to anchor the reader to his discussions with his mom, but the quotes and ties back to the discussions weren't strong enough, in my opinion, which made the quotations feel superfluous to the book. I really loved the last few chapters and his ideas and discussions about relationships, boundaries, and his experiences disagreeing with people he loves and how those experiences have helped him learn to love and trust himself. Thank you to netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

In Jedidiah Jenkins book, Mother, Nature, he writes about the unique relationship he has with his mom, about wanting to be understood, and seeing her need for the same. They debate, but give each other space to be themselves, even when they do not agree on fundamental topics. I really appreciate the author’s perspective, and of course his ability to tell a story within a story- he writes about an epic roadtrip he took with his mom, coupled with how he and his mom relate to one another. It’s beautiful.

I spent many years in a fundamentalist Christian organization so I was worried that this book would be triggering for me. It was not at all.

I could have been on this road trip with either of my own parents. They are both conservative, alt-right types who deeply believe in Jesus (although they are vaccinated lol). I do not share their beliefs.

I admire his relationship with his mom and their candid conversations on this road trip. I could totally relate to having to find middle ground to listen to in the car (no NPR etc).

I really felt I was on this journey with them and enjoyed the ride from New Orleans to the coast of Oregon. The descriptions of the little diners and thrift stores (winery) made me want to visit those places. The motels not so much! The author really loves his mom and that is very clear throughout this story.

This was a quick and enjoyable story and I truly enjoyed reading their debates about religion, church, aliens and more.

Her final answer to his most pressing question left me a bit sad (and hoping she will change her mind if that day ever comes!).

Thank you to Net Galley, the author and publisher for the ARC of this book.

Thanks so much NetGalley for the eARC to read and review.

I really enjoyed this genuine and heartfelt exploration of what is clearly an incredibly complex topic. Jenkins has an amazing ability to write about complicated ideas in ways that are accessible and simple. I imagine that every single person who picks this up will be able to relate to this book and the way we must continue to wrestle with being true to ourselves and loving each other well.

While, at times, I struggled with some of the harmful ways Christianity can minimise the reality and pain of the lived experiences of others, seeing Barbara through the eyes of her son meant viewing her with compassion and more understanding than I might have otherwise had. Jenkins is also fairly pragmatic about how his own search for meaning and independence has contributed to some of their previous relationship breakdown.

I definitely enjoyed reading this book and will continue to read anything he writes.

I NEED TO GIVE THIS BOOK TO MY MOM!!! I felt like I was there with mother and son :) so so beautiful

It feels unfair to review a deeply personal book, but I'll do my best. Mother, Nature follows the author as he goes on a roadtrip with his mother, retracing the steps of a journey she originally took on foot with her ex-husband. The premise is that Jedidiah is a gay man and his mother believes homophobia is a sin. He still loves her and she still loves him, but there's a barrier between them that comes with her not being able to accept a vital part of who he is. I found a lot of the book to be unnecessary. There's lots of summaries of books, podcasts, and true crime stories that I didn't think added anything to the narrative. For such an emotional topic, I found the emotional beats of the story to be lacking. The writing was decent, but I never really connected with either person, and found the conflict to be reduced into something simple. I think it is an interesting idea to think through - can you love someone who cannot accept who you are but loves you anyway - but it never felt like they talked anything through, it all went in circles until he finally asked the question he needed a clear answer to. I did think their email exchange where they explained their sides was interesting and heartfelt, as well as their actual conversation in the car about homosexuality and God's view of it, but the rest didn't seem needed. It's a short book and I am glad I read it, but I felt like I was missing something that would've allowed me to connect to it more.

I love reading books about real life stories involving moms and their sons. This was a good book and it was well written. I felt like I was right on the journey sometimes with these two! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

Such a beautiful moving memoir. I loved the honest conversations between Jed and his Mom and that we're left with more questions than answers. In a way, I was left with acceptance and love. This is such an important book especially during these polarizing times. Plus the descriptions of driving across America make you also want to Zillow your way through tiny towns and endless diners. Bravo to Jed's 3rd book!!