jdybs 's review for:

American Salvage by Bonnie Jo Campbell
4.0

Oh geez, I have such mixed feelings about this book. It’s a collection of short stories about the working poor, everyday people in Michigan, and the writing is excellent - at least 4 stars, maybe 5. But the stories are relentlessly dark and depressing, and I’m having a hard time finishing the last few. The writing is really good; even in the few pages of the story, one gets invested in the characters. But their worlds are so bleak. Yes, I need doses of realities, but I also need to balance it with some hope and occasional celebrations. There is joy in all people’s lives, even those with hard-scrabble existences.