Imagine a writer who turned a life of chaos into a New York Times bestseller with wit sharper than a Texas summer—meet Lauren Hough! Born in Berlin and raised in a whirlwind of seven countries, Hough’s journey from a doomsday cult to acclaimed essayist is a testament to resilience and raw storytelling. Her debut, Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing, blends dark humor and searing honesty, capturing the heart of working-class America.
From Air Force airman to cable guy, Hough’s eclectic path informs her unique voice. Her essays don’t just narrate—they interrogate identity, queerness, and survival, making her a standout in contemporary literature. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life and legacy of this fearless storyteller.
The Making of Lauren Hough
Lauren Hough’s early life reads like a novel. Born in Germany, she grew up in the infamous Children of God cult, a nomadic, abusive environment that stripped her of a stable identity. Shuttled across Japan, Chile, and Texas, she faced solitude and trauma, yet found solace in stories. Her grandmother’s gift of Jack London novels and the lyrical storytelling of country music sparked her love for writing. After her family left the cult when she was 15, Hough struggled to adjust in Amarillo, Texas, where social missteps—like hugging strangers—marked her as an outsider.
Determined to carve her own path, Hough enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, only to face homophobia during the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” era. She later juggled jobs as a barista, bartender, and cable technician, experiences that fueled her viral 2018 HuffPost essay, “I Was a Cable Guy. I Saw the Worst of America.” This piece catapulted her into the literary spotlight, leading to her debut book deal.
Lauren Hough’s Unforgettable Stories
Hough’s Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing (2021) is a tour de force of personal essays that weave humor, heartbreak, and social commentary. The collection explores her cult upbringing, military struggles, and life on society’s margins as a lesbian and working-class woman. Critics, including Roxane Gay, praise its “heartbreaking” prose and conversational style, likened to a blues singer’s raw cadence. The audiobook, narrated by Hough and Cate Blanchett, amplifies its emotional depth.
Her viral essay, “I Was a Cable Guy,” included in the collection, offers a darkly funny glimpse into America’s underbelly—think Russian mobsters and Fox News addicts. Other essays, like “Cell Block,” detail her time in jail, blending wit with visceral honesty. Hough’s Substack journal, Bad Reads, continues her incisive commentary, tackling everything from mental health to suburban pot dealers. Her style—candid, irreverent, and tender—resonates with readers seeking authentic voices.
While Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing remains her flagship work, Hough’s shorter pieces in Granta, The Guardian, and Texas Highways showcase her versatility. Whether reflecting on Texas abortion laws or family legends, she transforms personal pain into universal truths, making her essays both intimate and expansive.
Why Lauren Hough Matters
Lauren Hough’s impact lies in her unflinching honesty and ability to humanize the marginalized. Her work challenges readers to confront uncomfortable realities—cults, homophobia, poverty—while finding humor in the absurd. By drawing parallels between the Children of God and broader American systems, she exposes the cult-like tendencies in society, from corporate loyalty to political extremism. Her voice amplifies the working class, a group often ignored in literature, earning her a devoted following and critical acclaim.
Hough’s resilience inspires survivors of trauma, particularly those navigating queer identity or abusive pasts. Her willingness to lay bare her vulnerabilities, as noted by NPR, makes her a beacon for those seeking to reclaim their narratives. As a literary trailblazer, she’s redefining the essay form, blending memoir with cultural critique in a way that feels both timeless and urgent.
- Born: Berlin, Germany
- Key Work: Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing (2021)
- Notable Jobs: Airman, cable technician, bartender
- Current Home: Austin, Texas
Snag Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing and dive into Lauren Hough’s razor-sharp world of wit and wisdom! Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and rethink what it means to survive.