Out of Place - by Mary E McKnight (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

For fans of coming-of-age narratives and feminist journeys, an empowering tale of one teen's quest to establish her own voice as an Army Brat living in Cold War-era West Germany.

Relocated with her family to Cold War-era West Germany, Army Brat and middle sister of three Mary grapples with the torment exacted by her older sister, the high moral expectations of her military father, and societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles during the rise of the feminism movement. Through the transformative power of place, travel, and the people she encounters, Mary embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning about social justice and finding her voice in a world still shaped by male dominance.

Rich with historical context, Out of Place is a poignant and compelling exploration of identity, personal growth, and the enduring strength that comes from embracing one's purpose.

Review Quotes

"Out of Place is an engaging memoir about the propulsive energy of a 1970s youth spent abroad." -Foreword Clarion Reviews

"In this wise, funny, and moving memoir, McKnight ends up writing a love letter to her childhood in Germany. This memoir is also a love letter to herself and to the poignant, heartbreaking depths of girlhood. Part captivating travelogue and part ode to the girl she once was, Out of Place investigates the challenges and traps and beauty of being a girl and a sister and a daughter, all in a new land that she comes to tenderly call home." --Susan Conley, author of Landslide and instructor at the University of Southern Maine's Stone Coast MFA in Creative Writing Program

"Mary McKnight's memoir is filled with coming-of-age truths unique to a young girl growing up in a military family in post-WWII Germany. McKnight's writing is vivid, detailed, and infused with humor and personal reflection. This story is a must-read for anyone interested in reading a lovely story about how where and how we grow up can shape who we are as humans." --Donna Moreau, author of Waiting Wives: The Story of Shilling Manor, Home Front to the Vietnam War

"Ready to jump into a virtual time machine to 1970s Germany? Look no further than Out of Place. This delightful memoir explores a young person living on an American military base, all while navigating an overbearing father, a new culture, and the typical desires of a young American teen. Beware, after reading this book, you too will want vintage leather Adidas sneakers! I do!" --Julie Kingsley, author of The Space Between You and Me and co-owner of The Manuscript Academy

About the Author

Mary E. McKnight is an avid observer of people, a teacher of young children, a co-owner of an herb garden (Split Stone Farm LLC), a painter, and a lover of cats. She lives for kindness, creativity, and her amazing daughter. Her writing is the creative expression that feeds her soul, and she enjoys writing in a variety of genres. If she wasn't her, she would probably be the Lorax. She lives in Ellicott City, Maryland, with her partner and their tortie, Abbey Rhodes.