Vanessa Hua, acclaimed author and journalist, is set to release her debut nonfiction book, “Uprooted: A Forager’s Search for Wonder, Resilience and Home,” in the spring of 2027. This eagerly anticipated work, to be published by Tin House, an imprint of Zando, promises to be an exploration of both personal journey and the intricate relationship between human beings and the natural world.
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Hua’s interest in foraging began during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic when she found solace in the hills surrounding Berkeley, California. Amidst the uncertainty and isolation of lockdown, Hua ventured outdoors and stumbled upon a green plant, later identified as Claytonia perfoliata, or miner’s lettuce. This discovery ignited a passion for foraging, which she describes as both a grounding experience and a pathway to rediscovering the natural environment.
“I texted a photo to a naturalist friend who confirmed my hunch,” Hua recalled in a recent interview. She was reminded of her elementary school lessons about how the 49ers consumed the plant for its high vitamin C content, which helped prevent scurvy. “Indigenous peoples stewarded and enjoyed these greens for even longer,” she noted, highlighting the deep connections between foraging, history, and culture.
Hua’s initial foraging expeditions soon expanded as she began to explore the abundance around her, accompanied by her family. She collected a diverse array of edible plants, including bay nuts and wild mushrooms like chanterelles. These outings provided a form of respite from the constant stream of alerts and messages that typically govern modern life. Instead of being distracted by her phone, Hua found herself immersed in the tranquillity of nature, an experience she describes as transformative.
“Uprooted” interlaces poetic nature writing with personal memoir, knitting together Hua’s foraging adventures with reflections on broader societal issues. Factors like immigration, capitalism, colonialism, and climate change are woven throughout her narrative, prompting readers to consider the complexities of belonging and the meaning of being “native” to a place. For Hua, this perspective is deeply intertwined with her family’s immigration history and the lessons learned from caregiving—both for people and the environment.
“Foraging has transformed me, shaping me still,” Hua asserts. She emphasises that paying close attention to the natural world can profoundly alter one’s self-perception and awareness of one’s place within the ecosystem. By sharing her journey, she aspires to inspire others to engage with the natural world and to find their own sense of belonging within it.
In addition to “Uprooted,” Hua has written a number of critically acclaimed works, including the novels “Coyoteland,” “Forbidden City,” and “A River of Stars,” as well as a collection of short stories titled “Deceit and Other Possibilities.” Her multifaceted exploration of themes surrounding identity and connection has established her as a voice of significance in contemporary literature.
Readers eager to explore Hua’s latest reflections on nature, identity, and resilience will be able to do so when “Uprooted” is released on April 17, 2027. The book is already available for pre-order at various booksellers, allowing readers to reserve their copies ahead of its launch.
Through her intricate storytelling and insightful observations, Hua hopes to rekindle a sense of appreciation for the outdoors and encourage individuals to seek out their own connections with nature. “I hope Uprooted might inspire others to get outside and find themselves in nature, too,” she remarked, embodying her belief in the healing powers of the natural world.
As the world continues to grapple with the complexities of modern life, “Uprooted” promises to be a poignant reminder of the resilience found in connection to our environment, urging us all to step outside and reconnect with the wonders waiting just beyond our doorsteps.