Mothertrucker

Finding Joy on the Loneliest Road in America

By: Amy Butcher

Narrated by: Amy Butcher

Length: 8 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The true story of two women who found meaning, strength, and friendship in one of the most punishing and magnificent landscapes on Earth.

Amy Butcher was an accomplished college professor, mentor, and writer, but in her own home, she was embarrassed and emotionally burdened by an increasingly abusive relationship. Exhausted and terrified of the ways her partner’s behavior could escalate, Amy reached out to Instagram celebrity Joy “Mothertrucker” Wiebe. Joy was a 50-year-old wife and mother and the nation’s only female ice road trucker, a woman who maneuvered big rigs through the Alaskan wilderness along the deadliest road in America. Joy was everything Amy wanted to be: independent, fearless, and in charge of her life in a landscape dominated by men. Invited by Joy to ride shotgun, Amy found her escape on a road that was treacherous, beautiful, and exhilarating - an adventurous ride through the Alaskan wilderness that was profoundly life changing.

Mothertrucker is the story of that bracing 400-mile journey navigating snow-glazed overpasses, ice-blue curves, and near plummets. It’s also the stories that led them both to Alaska - an interrogation of the reality of female fear, domestic violence, and how to overcome - and an exploration into just how galvanizing friendships between women can be.

©2021 Amy Butcher. (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. “Dogwood” lyrics used with permission from Jenny Lewis.

Critic reviews

“A sobering reflection on verbal and psychological abuse, Butcher’s book honors the healing power of female friendship and questions the nature of divinity beyond its constricting patriarchal manifestations. A searching and deeply empathetic memoir.”—Kirkus Reviews

“In this tender and gripping tale, essayist Butcher (Visiting Hours) recounts her unlikely adventure through Alaska with the country’s only female ice trucker, the late Joy “Mothertrucker” Wiebe…Along the way, Butcher explores myriad issues with nuance and grace, including Indigenous rights, violence against women, religious hypocrisy, and environmental concerns. It’s a trip readers won’t soon forget.”—Publishers Weekly

“[Butcher] brings the details to vivid life as she describes both the brutally beautiful landscape and the many people she and Joy met on their brief journey together. A moving account of the impact of connection between women.”—Booklist

Love the title I felt Joy though this story

Its an engaging history of what every woman wants to he and what every man needs to hear. Feeling emotion listening during the actual journey(rollercoaster) as well as the very ending what an awesome story Spice girl, well told

Reveal of all women

I am a trucker myself. I have read hundreds of books in my life. Very few of those have had such a compelling and revealing story. As unique as the story is it tells the story of the human condition. Finds the lost and guides how to be found. The read is well worth of any spent time!

Honest and raw

This couldn’t have been an easy book to write but Amy Butcher did it with incredible honesty and humility. Thank you for introducing us to the inspirational woman who was Joy.

Amazing

This book is a beautiful story. I am recommending it to my book group for discussion.

All about violence against women

Couldn't finish. Got tired of all the rhetoric that all women are abused either physically, psychologically, or both, and are trained from birth to be subservient.

All I got from this book was women were unable to stand up for themselves and be successful, because men are evil and misogynistic.

Another #metoo story. Maybe it happens to lots of women, but not to any i know.

Tired of hearing "men are evil" ; more aren't than are.

amazingly beautiful, captivating

loved it. can't recommend enough! beautifully written, incredible story. would read again and recommend to anyone!

Realistic story

Well written true story. Gave insight into a woman truck driver in Alaska. Nice story about a friendship that developed with the writer and subject too.

Drifted too far away from subject

I found myself agreeing with other reviewers. I wanted to hear about Joy and her life (she is the person in the title, after all), even if that meant a shorter book. It started out like that and I was enjoying it…then it became about the author and her life, her experience, her boyfriend. And did Joy talk so much about God? The book even got into politics. I am enjoying reading about Joy on various websites now.

Incredible story

A narrative about female friendship and strength. It drew beautiful imagery of the Alaskan wilderness. I was swept away by the author's narration! Thank you, Amy, for sharing this story.

Intense

I would recommend this book to women who are considering whether or not they feel safe in their relationship. Amy &Joy both have complicated relationships and bond over supporting each other through difficulty. Very well written, quite a lovely story About women’s friendships, and the complicated relationships men have with women they love and vice versa.