10 Books Exploring Estrangement as the Only Route for Survival

At the age of 18, I ran away from the rural South and cut contact with my entire family. I fled halfway across the country and began college as a first generation, low income college student. I legally changed my name, found solace in writing, and grafted roots through my chosen family. I will never reconcile with my ex-family. Yet, I have been told by survivors and non-estranged people over and over that I would never heal if I didn’t forgive my abusive parents. I believe that forgiveness isn’t essential in my healing journey; escape was.

Approximately a quarter of Americans are estranged from at least one relative, yet the topic of cutting ties remains largely taboo. Oprah released two episodes addressing estrangement as a trend, despite exiters and experts identifying how calling it a trend is dangerous. When healthy relationships are missing from one’s family, the ticket for sa...