I’m often concerned that American culture is increasingly splitting into two groups that don’t interact much. Our politics and our regionalism tends to reinforce that. There are a few voices which seem to traverse the divide, and Vance’s is one of them.
Specifically, he traverses the Appalachia/Rust-Belt divide with Northeastern elites. As such, he can speak to both audiences at the same time while enlightening us all about his experiences.
Vance’s family life was incredibly chaotic. His biological father disowned him; his mother was an addict; he bounced around from home to home as a child. Were it not for his Mamaw, he probably would not have even gone to college, much less to law school. However, instead, he went into the Marines, fought in Iraq, and then voyaged onto his successful educational ventures.
I admire Vance’s strength and covet his wisdom. This book can be especially helpful for young adults just starting out in life. It is quite inspirational. I also recommend it for those who, like me, wish to encourage dialog of disparate cultures in our country. It reads quickly and easily but impacts profoundly.
Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
by J.D. Vance
Copyright (c) 2016
ISBN13: 9780062300546
Page Count: 272
Genre: Non-Fiction, Biography/Memoir