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angelsrgorgeous's review
5.0
Beyond the constant language and often painful details of his childhood, I absolutely loved this book, especially the last chapters. Vance is thoughtful, a clear, and a quick learner who is unafraid to share his emotions while navigating the terrible and fluid environment of his upbringing and the surrounding "hillbilly culture". Restores a kind of faith in humanity and a gratitude, both for what I have, and for the omniscience of God. While I'm sure I will never fully understand this group of people, despite being no far removed from them personally, I'm grateful for this book.
rereader33's review
3.0
This was a good memoir. Vance dealt with a serious topic with respect and facts, bringing in his own story as backup for his claims. I wasn't as moved as most people were, but I did think he accurately discussed topic(s) at hand and his story was compelling. I have heard that certain schools use this memoir as a way to teach sociology and I think this is a good resource to do so. A good memoir with interesting topics, I recommend others give it a try.
kcrouth's review
5.0
Not only is "Hillbilly Elegy" by @JDVance1 an inspiring, thought provoking, and challenging memoir, but it offers valuable data and insight into the culture around which i grew up in my immediate and extended family, and neighbors and schoolmates in the Missouri Ozarks. It helps me understand some of my family culture and dynamics, as well as inform my life history as i look back on it. Some very solid solutions are offered, though how to apply them may be problematic given that message of this book probably will not reach the majority of the culture described. In addition, i'm left wanting more answers as to what is the root cause of the Hillbilly culture described. I have seen it first hand and experienced it, but am left wondering how it came to be in the beginning. I'll be searching for additional reading to try to answer my questions. Thank you Mr. Vance for this candid and informative memoir.
https://www.nbcnews.com/megyn-kelly/video/going-home-best-selling-author-j-d-vance-opens-up-about-his-painful-childhood-and-the-future-ahead-975925827899
https://www.nbcnews.com/megyn-kelly/video/going-home-best-selling-author-j-d-vance-opens-up-about-his-painful-childhood-and-the-future-ahead-975925827899
indogswetrust's review
5.0
Excellent
Having grown up in small town Ohio I saw both my upbringing as well as my husband's, who is also small town Ohio.
Having grown up in small town Ohio I saw both my upbringing as well as my husband's, who is also small town Ohio.
nickscoby's review
4.0
Not the greatest book I've ever read, but a damn good one. To be honest, Hillbilly Elegy benefits from its time period, i.e., people want to know what kind of people would vote for Donald Trump? To be honest, I don't think the author answers the question, but to fair, I don't think it was his intention, either. It's important to know that this is a MEMOIR and the author is sorting through all kinds of demons to better understand his life and simply to sleep at night. He details abandonment and the instability in his life, but not in a way that is indulgent. Vance describes the complexities of his working-class life but he points out repeatedly that not everything he learned or experienced was negative.
In this regard, Mamaw is key. Indeed, she is the hero of the text, for she instills in her grandson a tough work ethic and an appreciation for education. She is complex and very, very funny. And then there is her foil, Vance's mother, a troubled narcissistic drug addict whom the author desperately loves but needs to get away from. Ugh. There were times when I wanted to throw the book across the room because of her. But those feelings are what makes the book so compelling. Not just the Insider's Guide to Hillbilly Folk, but the expose of the working class/working poor. At one point, Vance refers to himself as a "cultural emigrant" and spends the last third of the book detailing the challenges of straddling two worlds as he becomes upwardly mobile. This is best revealed in the chapters about law school. I have read many narratives about first-generation students and this is simply one of the best at capturing imposter syndrome and survivor's guilt. The feeling of being pulled back into family drama hits close to home. Ouch.
I do think that Vance does not dig too deeply about race. For instance, he sounds downright naive when he says that race does not play a major factor in hillbillies' distrust of Obama. (for real, bro?)
And again, a fair warning to anyone wanting this book to explain the 2016 election. I think it's a stretch and probably not sound research. But I do highly recommend this book to anyone who liked The Glass Castle or Hollowing Out the Middle or the experiences of contemporary white working class people.
(My true rating is a 4 and a half)
In this regard, Mamaw is key. Indeed, she is the hero of the text, for she instills in her grandson a tough work ethic and an appreciation for education. She is complex and very, very funny. And then there is her foil, Vance's mother, a troubled narcissistic drug addict whom the author desperately loves but needs to get away from. Ugh. There were times when I wanted to throw the book across the room because of her. But those feelings are what makes the book so compelling. Not just the Insider's Guide to Hillbilly Folk, but the expose of the working class/working poor. At one point, Vance refers to himself as a "cultural emigrant" and spends the last third of the book detailing the challenges of straddling two worlds as he becomes upwardly mobile. This is best revealed in the chapters about law school. I have read many narratives about first-generation students and this is simply one of the best at capturing imposter syndrome and survivor's guilt. The feeling of being pulled back into family drama hits close to home. Ouch.
I do think that Vance does not dig too deeply about race. For instance, he sounds downright naive when he says that race does not play a major factor in hillbillies' distrust of Obama. (for real, bro?)
And again, a fair warning to anyone wanting this book to explain the 2016 election. I think it's a stretch and probably not sound research. But I do highly recommend this book to anyone who liked The Glass Castle or Hollowing Out the Middle or the experiences of contemporary white working class people.
(My true rating is a 4 and a half)
elisabethian's review
1.0
(do not get me wrong, i am from appalachia ohio and i understand and even agree with some of the points from this book)
it’s like he sees the problem, he sees the key, and then he just doesn’t get it. like he’s so close and then he turns around. he cannot see past his own personal bubble
it’s like he sees the problem, he sees the key, and then he just doesn’t get it. like he’s so close and then he turns around. he cannot see past his own personal bubble