Unlikely Friends

By: Julie Salamon

Narrated by: Julie Salamon

Length: 4 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Who am I? Who were these people who made me who I am? And, what was this place? Was it ever what I thought it was? 

For celebrated journalist and author Julie Salamon, these recently became central questions. Salamon spent the first 18 years of her life Seaman, Ohio, a town that is part of the American heartland, a repository of mythology and misunderstanding. Seaman, Ohio, remains central to her identity, despite having lived in New York City for more than four decades, the place where her husband and she raised their children, three cats, and two dogs, and built her career and community. And yet, she could never shake the attachment to her childhood town. In fact, in almost every official author bio, it’s put it right up front: “raised in a rural town in Appalachian Ohio." In between projects, she kept going back. Her office is filled with files of interviews conducted with people there over the years. She always was wondering if the home of her memories was truly the way she remembered it. 

Seaman is located in Adams County, which is routinely ranked one of the two poorest of Ohio’s 88 counties. In both 2016 and 2020, the county voted for Donald Trump. That reality made Salamon’s examination of her childhood feel urgent, particularly because Salamon and her family were anomalies. They were immigrants from a foreign country. They were Democrats. They were Jewish. In looking back, what Salamon remembers most about this place - despite her otherness - was the overwhelming feeling of acceptance and love. Love for her family, love for the land, and, in particular, love for best friends, Candee and June. 

In Unlikely Friends, Salamon tells the intimate story about a conservative backwater that brought together three girls from different backgrounds - Julie, June, and Candee - respectively, Jewish, Black, and Appalachian. Girls who, in all likelihood, wouldn’t have become friends if they had lived anywhere else. While it might appear to be a small tale, as the country’s political divide widens, this personal history of unlikely connection is more pressing, more universal than ever. This is a story about race and religion, about country and community, about the legends people create to make sense of their lives. What Salamon discovers along the way is that memories are indeed complicated. While her fondness for the place and her happy childhood memories aren’t figments of her imagination, the rosy depiction of the past has been incomplete all along. That, like life, memory is a work in progress.

©2021 Julie Salamon (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC.

The politics are part of it (and us)

I rarely write reviews, but I am motivated to do so this time because of the comments that were made about politics in the story. These comments were more or less dismissive of the importance of politics play in everything we do. And there’s been no time in American history since the war of independence in which we have had as much tumult as we have in the country. A story that focuses on “a Jew a black and an Appalachian native” almost begs politics to be part of the discussion.

I thought the story was very interesting as it cast of a hard on both relationships between people from “different camps“ but also how memories are and are not accurate. The live voices of those involved was an excellent addition to the book, and the evolution of the story quite masterful.

Consider listening to it. And if you are not in agreement with the politics, so be it. It’s the perspective of the speaker(s) and is quite naturally Just a part of the story… And it is just a part. Politics in their rawest form are very little of this book. But life is politics… From who you choose as your friends when you’re in school (do you go for the popular kids or the nerds or the jocks or the wildflowers or the…), who you partner with (if you do) and who you admire.

I have listened to it twice… because it’s a naturally story that helps me see the viewpoint of others. And if there is one thing missing from our country right now it is the inability to see through the viewpoint of another.

Fantastic

I truly enjoyed listening to this short story. Well written and read. This is a great lesson for multiple reasons. Thank you Julie Salamon.

Thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this timely book.

I am the same age as the author and perhaps that lends itself to my appreciation and understanding of this book. I am perplexed by the reviews that are upset at the introduction of politics. Given the premise of the book it would be impossible not to. How could any of us have lived through four years of Trump, Pen a book from our perspective as a liberal Democrat and as a minority and NOT have an opinion on Trump? I think her lovely memories of her childhood and the kindness of people during the turbulent 60s (and her examination of such) juxtaposed with the turbulence of today and the resurgence and boldness of racism and anti-Semitism make this a necessary and timely read.

Memories From Yesterday

This is a beautiful book. I will be recommending it to all my friends. It brings back so many memories from that time. I did not want it to end.

What A Surprise!

Thank you for sharing your story. There are parts that make me sad, and happy. Your past has come alive. What was is again; why is that? The reasons you went to New York are the same reasons that the little girl called her friend a monkey; to fit in with the people that mostly looked and behaved alike.

Exactly the kind of story we need to hear more of!

I bet we ALL have untold stories of unlikely friendships, just like Julie's. These stories aren't told often enough and certainly, not with the color and artistry of an award-winning writer like Julie Salamon. Though I have read all of her books, HEARING her read her own book was a unique and special treat. If anyone is looking for a not-too-long, rich, truly American story, listen to this book!

So Timely and Necessary

brought back memories of my own recollections of growing up first in the midwest and then the south. so candid and full of truth. maybe these types of conversations are the only way back from the precipice we find ourselves on...

Good story, but poor introduction of politics

Just like the other reviewer stated, it was good until it got to the bit about politics. This book had so much potential and the description and images revoked were so well portrayed. Until she seemed to go on and on about politics and people’s political position, and that just deflated the story for me… has nothing to do with my political position.

Thank you

It has been a pleasure to listen to her childhood. I have already recommended this book to several friends. Her story relates to the struggles of today.

Well written story

The autobiography about the author, with recordings from key individuals who greatly influenced her life and friends, was unusual and engaging. I thought it was brave of her to talk about the recent divide, in the nation caused by the Trump era. However, I was disappointed that "black" was used to describe a good friend, while others were associated with "white" and their culture, place of birth or place of upbringing; even someone who is Jewish shared that they were "white". (I guess that was an outcome of the Diaspora.)

Yet, I would give the author a "thumbs up" for taking the initiative to follow up with friends, family and a high school teacher to enrich her story.