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A review by caitfoges
Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains by Cassie Chambers
4.0
~ 4.0 ~
I really loved that this book was part memoir, following the path of a young woman tied to the hills of Appalachia, part biography, telling the stories of the hill women who raised her, and part current events/social commentary, explaining the political and economic forces that have influenced Appalachian communities in recent decades. Sure, there are criticisms that can be made of the author, but I think she is honest about her potential shortcomings as the storyteller and about her privilege. She knows that her experience is rare, having had access to academic support that led her to the nation's most prestigious institutions. Though during parts of her journey Chambers seemed to have strayed far away from her roots, she eventually found herself drawn back to the hills that felt like home (at least in part - I believe home is the combination of people and places that shape us). I admire how she committed to giving back in a meaningful way with her skills as a lawyer, empowering women to make better lives for themselves and their children. Finally, the dedication to her mother in the epilogue was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
I really loved that this book was part memoir, following the path of a young woman tied to the hills of Appalachia, part biography, telling the stories of the hill women who raised her, and part current events/social commentary, explaining the political and economic forces that have influenced Appalachian communities in recent decades. Sure, there are criticisms that can be made of the author, but I think she is honest about her potential shortcomings as the storyteller and about her privilege. She knows that her experience is rare, having had access to academic support that led her to the nation's most prestigious institutions. Though during parts of her journey Chambers seemed to have strayed far away from her roots, she eventually found herself drawn back to the hills that felt like home (at least in part - I believe home is the combination of people and places that shape us). I admire how she committed to giving back in a meaningful way with her skills as a lawyer, empowering women to make better lives for themselves and their children. Finally, the dedication to her mother in the epilogue was both beautiful and heartbreaking.