Reviews

Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains by Cassie Chambers

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emilyrjohns's review

3.0

I was looking forward to reading this book, but I was left feeling a little disappointed. This story would have been more interesting if it had been written by her mother or grandmother. Their lives illustrate what it meant to be born and raised in Appalachia. Her parents were the ones that overcame great odds to achieve what they did. I would have loved to read more about her father’s side of the family as well. I appreciate that Chambers sought to bring light to the devastating poverty that these families face. I was very engaged in the first part of this book and I was interested in each family member. As it continued, however, I was ready for the book to be done. It felt like she wanted to put too much into one book. The hook is her family’s hard life and poverty. The last part of the book is about Chambers’ own accomplishments and work, and that is not nearly as interesting as her family’s life. That is why I can only give this book 3 stars.

lindsaybaer1's review

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3.0

Between 2.5 and 3 stars. Cons: the writing/perspective was at times insufferable. Pros: loved hearing about legal aid cases and found it to be very interesting and the ending.

jmsp8's review

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5.0

Hill Women is the antithesis to JD Vance’s recent work. Where his book often blames and belittles, Cassie affirms and points to the strength of rural Kentucky, in particular the strength of so many women who are the life blood of their family. This was a great read as it reflected my own interactions with Owsley County through prior work. I am grateful for her story and will share this book with anyone who wants to learn and experience why this part of Kentucky is a treasure.

knitswhilereading's review

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2.0

Audiobook review: DNF

God love her, the author was not a great narrator for her own work. The story felt stagnant, like someone was giving a work presentation. I’m sure a seasoned narrator could add the polish this seems to lack. I only finished Part I.

To echo other reviewers, the family story of her youth and lineage was sweet. I had a hard time with the story jumping all over the place though. At times it sounded like an advertisement for Berea college. Maybe it’s just my lack of experience with reading memoirs, but this one just did not grab me. Normally I’ll muscle through a book but this left me wanting to quit about 20% in. I’m disappointed by this feeling since the stories of rural Kentucky people are so impactful. Several years ago I met a resident of Owsley county and she echoes the conditions of which the author speaks. She was fundraising to purchase food that she would personally drive to students over the summer to ensure they didn’t go without. Like her and the women in the book, there are many motivated and generous women living in Appalachia who work together to meet needs and build healthy communities.

sarebot's review

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4.0

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway. I have to say that I really enjoyed this view into life in rural Kentucky. Cassie Chambers writes about all of the strengths that can be found in the mountain communities, but doesn’t leave out the hardships that the communities are facing. She details her life path and her description is filled with gratitude for those who helped place her on that path and guide her. I especially appreciated the insight into the political atmosphere towards the end of the memoir as I feel this is a critical time to try to understand our neighbors from all walks of life and I think Cassie is able to share a unique viewpoint. A much more positive and feminist take on life in Appalachia.

jj84k's review against another edition

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3.0

Solid book overall. A good counterpoint to Hillbilly Elegy. I wonder if my Nana and her sisters would enjoy this telling of life in the hills of Kentucky more than they did H.E.