Reviews

Hillbilly-Elegie: Die Geschichte meiner Familie und einer Gesellschaft in der Krise by J.D. Vance

csmith212's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

lauraborkpower's review against another edition

3.0

This is an interesting -- and politically relevant -- snapshot into the lives and viewpoints of a population I know little about and with whom I have only spent a small amount of time.

Vance's story is personal and, at times, stunning. He and his family have struggled with violence and substance abuse and poverty; but his tone is never that of a victim. He is proud of his accomplishments (rightly so) and of the life he has lived to achieve them (rightly so). He owns his flaws and those of his family and community, and he speaks about problem solving in a refreshingly pragmatic way.

But I was so spoiled from Between the World and Me (please read it right away if you haven't yet) and I now see that as the height of all memoir. And of course the two stories are different; but Vance's story is one of struggle and ultimate success, and now he is a happily married white man with an Ivy League law degree. And Coates's story is about his skin, his body, and that is something beyond socioeconomic circumstances. You can't walk away from that. This is an important differentiation between the weight of the two stories.

Vance narrates this audiobook, and he does a fine job, though when he's reading the especially dark parts from his childhood and details about the "hillbilly" diet and poverty levels, his even, straight-forward tone is a bit surreal. It's a quick read/listen, and an interesting one at that.

vacanthungarian's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced

4.0

A very profound story of a section of American society that not many people know anything about. Vance's own personal story does inspire in the same way that Cupcake Brown's memoir did, urging the reader to really consider whether their adversity is really as crippling as they think it is and how much more they can become.
 I think a lot of empathy can be drawn as well from this story for those who are from such backgrounds. Often we judge people from unstable homes, especially those with addictions. We find it hard to understand why the children from these backgrounds react a certain way without ever taking a step back and wondering how we can help.
Equally, there are a lot of things that resonated with me in the UK and a deeper understanding of the mindset of the lowest tiers of working class, why they make the decisions they make and why they continue in an endless cycle of repeating the same lifestyle of their predecessors (with few exceptions like myself).
I hope it inspires others to break the cycle or to show more kindness

frazierk8's review against another edition

5.0

Never loved and hated a book like this. I think he does a beautiful job of explaining the Appalachian but also seems to be a little stereotypical of his own people.

meanypanini's review against another edition

5.0

[a: J.D. Vance|15109469|J.D. Vance|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1483551437p2/15109469.jpg] manages to shed light on a very important issue in the United States in a very engaging way. His humility and willing to change and evolve as a human shows in his story and the way he tells it. I would highly recommend reading this book for all the interesting and insightful perspectives and experiences that greatly explain one of the biggest problems in modern-day America.

cameronsmith's review against another edition

informative medium-paced

4.5

This book was amazing. Super informative and interesting exploration of rural poverty in America. I especially appreciated the end when he talked about the things he thinks can and can't be fixed and how to fix them. 

cassmccaff's review against another edition

4.0

I read this book in 2 seconds. It was short and very interesting. I love hearing these kinds of stories. So proud of him for working so hard despite where he comes from and what he’s been through. I loved every last detail. Now I need to watch the movie!

arianamaya's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.5

Author may be a bit racist I fear🤓

tweetybird0917's review against another edition

4.0

I honestly loved this book. Even though the writing is a little scrambled, the author makes you feel like he's sitting in front of you just telling his story. Makes you sit and think of all the people you've met who might be struggling in the culture of the "hillbilly" world. Great read if you're a social worker and want to understand the families you work with a little better.

agameofbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

I had honestly expected a more personal and emotional story, but this felt a little heavy on the facts somehow. I didn't connect with the characters as much as I hoped I would.