Reviews

Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Desmond

mrscaew's review against another edition

4.0

I preferred Hillbilly Elegy to this, as it felt more depressing and academic - less of a literary journey. Just as eye opening, however, to the often ignored poverty in America.

corngod31's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.5

naharobed's review against another edition

4.0

As a forewarning, this book will leave you depressed and feeling hopeless. It is a thought-provoking and eye-opening examination of the consequences of housing inequality in America. Matthew Desmond is an ethnographer and sociologist who follows several different families in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as they struggle with eviction and simply trying to live. He does a fantastic job of presenting both sides of the issue—the tenants and the landlords’ perspectives. But it does get bogged down in the details and can be a bit dense to get through. Despite that, it’s an important and vital read. I especially loved the epilogue and the afterward where Desmond discusses his research methods and takes a critical look at the systemic issues that not only allow, but encourage, these cycles of poverty and discrimination.

nopnutspls's review against another edition

challenging informative sad slow-paced

5.0

qog's review against another edition

Just ran out of time on my library loan. I’d like to pick it back up again.

annawiegand's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

4.5

jmarchek's review against another edition

4.0

Really insightful look into the causes of poverty and the effect of eviction. Eye opening. I wish the author had provided me some actionable ideas. I will definitely have more compassion. Terrifying how much the landlords take advantage of the poor.

katricia's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative slow-paced

3.0

sarahgarlicnan's review against another edition

dark informative sad fast-paced

4.25

An interpersonal and story-driven exploration of the many ways in which the professionnalisation of landlording and increasing callousness create extreme poverty and violence that is both race based and gendered 

hongjoongie's review against another edition

dark informative inspiring reflective sad