The Heart of the Runaway

by Liberty Elias Miller

The Heart of the Runaway is like Wild, a captivating real-life narrative where the trail never ends. A feverishly gripping debut memoir from Liberty Elias Miller, the book plunges you straight into the deep waters of a life of fierce independence, nomadic living, and fighting in the most human of ways through the aftermath of her brother’s murder, the open sea as a cast member of Whale Wars, and the excruciatingly relatable battle to be true to one’s own heart. Written across the globe from ship cabins in the Mediterranean, hotel rooms in Japan, and vans in the Pacific Northwest, the book carries you through the world with it, splashing you with saltwater, tears, tough luck, and mud. Part diary, part travelogue, part book of wisdom, this churning meditation comes from the kind of writer who speaks to you like a pen pal whose letters you cherish getting in the mail, read over and over, and keep stashed in your bedside table. A raw account of a wanderer, a sister, a lover, a fighter, and most of all, a friend you will feel you’ve known forever, the Heart of the Runaway is a powerful drama for a new generation of feminists, nomads, and survivors.

227 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2018

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her story, the way Liberty wrote … incredibly raw, honest, in your face truth.

Liberty’s story resonated with me as I have gone through so much hardness in life and was able to relate with her on some level through this. She spoke about how she dealt with these situations and struggles and how she was able to overcome them.

I met Liberty at her coffee/book shop in Seward Alaska back in summer of 2021 on my visit back home. Liberty was absolutely incredible and the coffee was delish. She was kind and gentle and even recommended a fun little passport game for my son & I that her and her friend came up with.

Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a hard true life story of resilience, courage, and strength.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up from 13 Ravens Coffee House in Seward, Alaska several summers ago. The author was actually there, an unexpected surprise.

This book sat unread on my bookshelf for 3 years. Finally, I read it. A deeply personal memoir. I felt as though I was reading a diary.

As someone who longs for some of that nomadic lifestyle, or at least the life style I see on social media, i appreciate the, at times painfully, honest portrayal.

[Tessie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was incredibly moved by Liberty’s tenacity, integrity, and honesty. Her ability to keep her heart open after enduring such pain speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and to how big she loves. Her brother would be so proud! I’m sure of it.