For many of us, the place and time where we grew up holds a special spot in our hearts, representing an iconic way of life filled with a deep sense of belonging and love. We’ve all likely felt that our story was one worth telling, though life often has a way of keeping those stories untold.
But not for Linda Fine Hunt. She wrote her story down.
“I have been writing this book in my head most of my life. Even when walking home from grade school, I was writing this book,” said Fine Hunt from her home in Whitefish, Mont. Fine Hunt will be coming home to St. Louis for a special visit on Sept. 13 at the University City Public Library to discuss her book, “Particular Place and People.”
Growing up in University City
Fine Hunt grew up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood in University City during the 1950s and ‘60s, a time she describes as a “golden age.” For her, University City wasn’t just a backdrop but a vibrant character in her life’s story, one that nourished her Jewish identity and instilled a deep sense of pride. The safety and support she felt in this community permeate the pages of her book.
“We knew only safety. I did not have to defend my religion and culture until I moved away from University City,” said Fine Hunt. “I wanted to write about how great it was to be a Jewish child growing up with all this love and support.”
Inspiration all around her
The inspirations for “Particular Place and People” stem from a mix of personal history and an insatiable curiosity.
“I was fascinated by a mansion I could see from my front lawn and often explored, even though it was private property,” remembered Fine Hunt. “My curiosity led me to research its history, spending hours poring over newspapers to learn about the land, the mansion, and the people who lived there. My detective work even connected me with the last living relative who grew up in the mansion, and we had many enlightening conversations. You can see a picture of this home on the last page of the book.”
Her Jewish life was filled with rich experiences, from attending Sunday school at Shaare Zedek Synagogue to savoring Jewish delicacies from local delis.
“My dad would pick me up, and we would go to Alan’s Delicatessen on Olive Street Road and Midland Blvd. My favorite choices were the onion rolls, rye bread and anything with poppy seeds. I did not eat meat. My dad would add smoked whitefish and kosher pickles for me. He bought corned beef for the rest of the family,” she said.
Why write her story?
Fine Hunt’s motivations for writing the book are deeply personal. She wanted to portray a positive narrative of Jewish life, moving away from the usual focus on the hardships of Jewish history, like the Holocaust, and instead celebrating the community she grew up in.
“Growing up in University City gave me the skills to be Jewish. When I left, I was confronted with antisemitism for the first time. My strong Jewish upbringing taught me to tell people I did not know that I am Jewish. I hoped that informing people of my culture would prevent traditional ethnic jokes and antisemitic comments. I usually got the response, ‘You don’t look Jewish,’” said Fine Hunt.
In the book, Fine Hunt changes the names of most of the people in the story but not all.
“I wrote about Jimmy Reina and used his real name because it is a great name, and he was unique in our neighborhood,” said Fine Hunt. “He was my first crush at age 4. I was upset because he was Catholic. I assumed I could not marry a Catholic. My mother told me otherwise.”
Coming home
As Fine Hunt prepares to visit next month to discuss “Particular Place and People,” she invites her old neighbors and the entire community to discover the world where a mansion, a neighborhood and a young girl’s dreams converge to tell a story that is as universal as it is personal.
Author Visit by Linda Fine Hunt
Where: UCPL Auditorium (University City Public Library), 6701 Delmar Blvd.
When: Friday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m.
More Info: Free and open to all. The author will have books available for purchase at the event.
