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alexandriapiette's review against another edition
4.0
My English 101 professor assigned this collection of essays to students for the first four weeks of the 2021 fall semester. I had my own reservations concerning assigned reading; generally, I don’t enjoy when I’m instructed what to read and what not to because I feel it warps the gratification of reading into a chore-like task. However, my professor provided us freedom in choosing selected essays from each section of Voices from the Rust Belt for our reflections and assignments. I annotated throughout my selections, grieving and rejoicing over the array of human experiences. There was a sense of truthfulness in each depiction of various locations throughout the Rust Belt. I resonated with many of these narratives, uncovering pieces of myself, even in the most distant places of the Rust Belt.
I’m attending a virtual event through my college where several authors showcased throughout the collection and the editor will be speaking and answering student questions. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to hear the thought processes behind their pieces.
TL;DR / I didn’t anticipate enjoying this book, but I’m certainly satisfied that I did!
I’m attending a virtual event through my college where several authors showcased throughout the collection and the editor will be speaking and answering student questions. Needless to say, I’m thrilled to hear the thought processes behind their pieces.
TL;DR / I didn’t anticipate enjoying this book, but I’m certainly satisfied that I did!
robdabear's review against another edition
1.0
Some good essays, but ended up getting really one-sided and racist rather abruptly.
I have the utmost respect for people who share their lived experience, but there’s a distinct divide between doing so and manipulating that lived experience into a flawed narrative.
I have the utmost respect for people who share their lived experience, but there’s a distinct divide between doing so and manipulating that lived experience into a flawed narrative.
quietjenn's review against another edition
3.0
It's nice that some of these Rust Belt pieces are getting a more high profile release with this book, although I think I prefer the Belt Anthologies, as they tend to be a little more varied. I'd read some of these pieces already and I can't say that any of the ones selected here really bowled me over or left a big impression.
runningreader's review against another edition
4.0
A heartbreaking, heartwarming, funny, nostalgic, and sad collection of essays. Just like the Rust Belt.
I worked like crazy to get out of the Rust Belt when I was growing up. Now I wish like nothing else that I could move back.
I worked like crazy to get out of the Rust Belt when I was growing up. Now I wish like nothing else that I could move back.
maddiewagner's review
4.0
I bought this collection because a friend has an essay included but I'm really glad I had the exposure to the rest of these authors. The material varies on exact scope but all the narratives are grounded in a rust-belt town. These towns include Cleveland, OH (6); Detroit, MI (3); Buffalo, NY (3); Flint, MI (3); Pittsburgh, PA (2); Cincinnati, OH (1); Oxford, Indiana (1); Mingo County, WV (1); Chicago, IL (1); Akron, OH (1); Youngstown, OH (1); Moundsville, WV (1). The essays are broken into four sections: Growing Up, Day to Day in the Rust Belt, Geography of the Heartland, Leaving and Staying. These divisions weren't particularly noticeable while I was reading but looking back the groupings make sense with the essay content. There was some diversity included in the essay selection including an Iraqi American in Cleveland but I feel like there could have been more diversity - although race or ethnicity is not always evident based on the essay.
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