Devoured - by Ayurella Horn-Muller (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Once beloved, then feared, and eventually just tolerated, kudzu can be found nearly everywhere across the South. For everything from trees to crops, in American popular culture, the invasive vine with Eastern Asian origins has long signified the end of times, known to smother everything in its path in an embrace of certain death. To many, the plant's enduring legacy has been its villainous role as the 'vine that ate the South.' But for a select few, it has begun to morph into something else entirely. In its roots, a network of people scattered across the country see a chance at redemption - and an opportunity to rewrite a fragment of troubled history. Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine that Ate the South detangles the complicated story of one region's fickle relationship with kudzu, taking readers on an atmospheric expedition through time, chronicling the ways one boundless weed has evolved over centuries, and dissecting what we know about what climate change could mean for its future across the United States. From architecture teams using it as a building material in pursuit of a low-carbon supply chain, to clinical applications treating binge-drinking, to delicacies served in restaurants, Ayurella Horn-Muller spotlights how kudzu's notoriously tangled reputation in America is gradually being cast aside in favor of its promise. Within these pages, readers will witness the remarkable ways public perception of kudzu has deviated - as the people living in ecosystems overrun by it have bounced between embracing its gifts and fighting to destroy it. Doggedly pursuing answers to determine what we conclusively know about kudzu - and what we don't - Horn-Muller unites careful research with human stories to explore how kudzu morphed from a glorified, miraculous solution for soil erosion to the monstrous archetypal foe of the Southern landscape. Devoured is a real-life narrative of belonging, of racial ambiguity, of outsiders and insiders, and the path from universal acceptance to undesirability. It is a deeply reported tale of mystery, a portal into the past, present, and future of a quintessential plant. It is a saga of intrigue, a dive into the farthest reaches and darkest depths of the very landscapes housing the species we fight to control. Above all, this is an ode to the Earth around us - a quest for memories and for meaning in today's imperiled world"--

Book Synopsis

Honorable mention for the American Botanical Council's James A. Duke Excellence in Botanical Literature Awards

Kudzu abounds across the American South. Introduced in the United States in the 1800s as a solution for soil erosion, this invasive vine with Eastern Asian origins came to be known as a pernicious invader capable of smothering everything in its path. To many, the plant's enduring legacy has been its villainous role as the "vine that ate the South." But for a select few, it has begun to signify something else entirely. In its roots, a network of people scattered across the country see a chance at redemption--and an opportunity to rewrite a fragment of troubled history.

Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South detangles the complicated story of the South's fickle relationship with kudzu, chronicling the ways the boundless weed has evolved over centuries, and dissecting what climate change could mean for its future across the United States. From architecture teams experimenting with it as a sustainable building material, to clinical applications treating binge-drinking, to chefs harvesting it as a wild edible, environmental journalist Ayurella Horn-Muller spotlights how kudzu's notorious reputation in America is gradually being cast aside in favor of its promise.

Weaving careful research with personal stories, Horn-Muller investigates how kudzu morphed from a miraculous agricultural solution to the monstrous archetypal foe of the southern landscape. Devoured is a poignant narrative of belonging, racial ambiguity, outsiders and insiders, and the path from universal acceptance to undesirability. It is a deeply reported exploration of the landscapes that host the many species we fight to control. Above all, Devoured is an ode to the earth around us--a quest for meaning in today's imperiled world.

Review Quotes

"A delightful detangling of the cultural history and scientific mystery of the South's most famous vine. Horn-Muller is as relentless as her subject as she questions the war on kudzu. She has given us a much-needed examination of so-called alien species and true invaders."--Cynthia Barnett, author of Rain: A Natural and Cultural History and The Sound of the Sea: Seashells and the Fate of the Oceans

"A tangled natural history of an unlikely protagonist, Devoured ensnares the reader on the first page, taking them from the 1876 World's Fair, across Florida's freeways, and stopping off at a Memphis test kitchen. Ayurella Horn-Muller provides a majestic account of the once-decorative vine, deeply probing the question of what it means to be invasive in America. A kudzu classic!"--Gloria Dickie, author of Eight Bears: Mythic Past and Imperiled Future

"An enthralling tale of a seemingly ordinary plant, Devoured unravels a massive web of cultural complexities and historical intrigue. Horn-Muller invites readers to witness the extraordinary story of a single vine that resonates deeply with the diverse landscapes and cultures it intertwines. A truly mesmerizing saga of mystery, sacrifice, and belonging, this is a debut full of depth, warmth, and brilliance!"--Tirthak Saha, author of Flawed Prophets

"In breathless prose, Horn-Muller untangles the assumptions and myths about kudzu, a vine alternately villainized and venerated. Guided by genuine curiosity, she leaves no leaf unturned, revealing what kudzu can tell us about our attitudes toward the food on our plates, the changing climate, and the migration of species--including humans."--Hannah Kirshner, author of Water, Wood, and Wild Things: Learning Craft and Cultivation in a Japanese Mountain Town

"Meticulously researched, personal, and gorgeously written, Devoured centers a powerful plant as a symbol of immigration and climate justice in America. A timely narrative that will inspire readers to examine their deeply rooted notions of belonging, both in our society and in the natural world, as we race against the peril of climate change."--Masha Rumer, author of Parenting with an Accent: How Immigrants Honor Their Heritage, Navigate Setbacks, and Chart New Paths for Their Children

About the Author

Ayurella Horn-Muller is an award-winning journalist who has covered climate justice for Axios and Climate Central. Her work has been featured in the Guardian, USA TODAY, Forbes, and on NPR and PBS NewsHour. Based in Florida, she has received media fellowships from the Society of Environmental Journalists, Metcalf Institute, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and Oregon State University.