PUBLISHED IN SPRING 2024
Devoured: The Extraordinary Story of Kudzu, the Vine That Ate the South investigates the untold story of an infamous vine and the American landscapes, traditions and communities it entangled together.
By examining how the “vine that ate the South” became a vessel to "other" those with origins from beyond U.S. borders, environmental journalist Ayurella Horn-Muller explores how kudzu morphed from a miraculous agricultural solution to the monstrous archetypal foe of the southern landscape.
Weaving rigorous research with lyrical storytelling, Horn-Muller’s poignant narrative reveals the real culprits behind the spread of the many species humans fight to control. Devoured challenges readers to reconsider how we decide who and what belongs in the changing world around us.
Devoured was published by Louisiana State University Press on March 6, 2024. You can order it everywhere books are sold; including LSU Press, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Amazon and Bookshop. Devoured can also currently be ordered through multiple international booksellers.
To inquire about copies for review, please contact Jordyn Lofton at LSU Press.
PRAISE FOR DEVOURED
“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
“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
"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 towards the food on our plates, the changing climate, and the migration of species—including humans." — Hannah Kirshner, author of Water, Wood, and Wild Things
"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.
“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. You should read this for a critical take on the intersection of climate change and ethnic diversity in America. You should read this if you want to learn about the magnificent depths of human culture and adaptability. Most of all, you should read it to experience 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
PRESS
Read an excerpt of Devoured in Civil Eats: Cooking Kudzu: The Invasive Species Is on the Menu in the South
Read an excerpt of Devoured in The Xylom: Am I Invasive?
Read a review of Devoured in Country Roads Magazine, which dubbed it “a compelling inquiry into the South’s most iconic invasive species.”
Read an author interview about Devoured on Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb on 05/02
Featured by Bookshop and Solid State Books in: Recommendations from a Historian
Featured in a member Lecture Series event hosted by the Louisiana State Museum’s Friends of the Cabildo: 3/12 Lecture and Q&A
Catch a livestreamed Author Book Launch hosted by LSU Press: 4/4 Reading and Q&A