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Why you should read Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Home Book ReviewsWhy you should read Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
Why you should read Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Why you should read Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

April 26, 2017 Posted by 7thyearproductions@gmail.com Book Reviews 3 Comments

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Hillbilly Elegy Book Review

 

Hillbilly Elegy

Hillbilly Elegy

As usual, my trip to Target led me to the “New Books” section. I had already placed 4 or 5 books in my cart. After all, I am pretty quick with putting books in my cart. Then, I noticed this title about Hillbilly’s called “Hillbilly Elegy, A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis”. To me, Hillbilly’s were those who lived back in the 1950s or before. I thought this title was probably a discussion on who they were, and how they have now changed. So, I added it to the stack. I was very wrong. This book is a thoughtful recollection of the author’s, not too far in the past, coming of age, and the story of his family before him. I was captivated from page one, as JD Vance so vibrantly exposes the loves and challenges of his beloved Hillbilly Family.

More Blog Posts on Books:

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The Invisible Thread

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My Personal Experience Reading this Book…

So here is the thing. By all sanity and reason, I should not want to know most of the people in the book. The picture is painted of a group of foul-mouthed, violent criminals by almost any standard. As I read, I couldn’t help but wish that I had had the opportunity to meet Mamaw and Papaw. Not just because of the love that radiated from their misguided attempts to love. But because of the hope which they had for the future, specifically, Mamaw.

Mamaw is the author’s maternal grandmother, and her hope in life was to guide her family out of the hills of Eastern Kentucky, and into a better life. She appeared to know that the barriers caused by a lack of education and resources had plagued the proud bunch of Hillbilly’s she called family. They were stuck working in manual labor and the low wages it paid, and forced reliance on social welfare. But, there was the hope that an educated life for her children and grandchildren would bring a life filled with the finer things; running water & safety.

Emotions and curiosity aside, the reason to read this book, is because it will cause you to reflect on where your community stands in relation to the Hillbilly’s. I live in a rural community in Northern California. There are a few similarities the deeper off grid you go. But even in metropolitan areas, the conflict of pride over desperation, or of finally losing all hope and submitting to the system is evident.

 

“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”

When a Family Member Decides to Change

Similar to the hills of Kentucky or Ohio, in every community, there is someone who is on Social Welfare. There are families going without because they are the working class poor and too proud to ask for needed help. There is a family who has less but is more proud than the family who appears to have everything. Every town has norms and mores, and every town needs change. Not the type of forced government change that is often ineffective and misguided. But the kind of change that comes when a family decides to make a change. Week by week, generation by generation, always ensuring the next generation will get it right.

What do you think? What is the solution to the challenges “Hillbilly’s” face? Or is it a challenge that does not need solving?

Looking for book reviews? Read about Kisses from Katie here. Or, About the Invisible Thread Here.

 

Hillbilly Elegy

Hillbilly Elegy, A Family and Culture in Crisis

Other true-life reads that will keep you captivated:

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Tags: BiographyBookBook ReviewCultureHillbillyKentuckyNew York Times BestsellerReading
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About 7thyearproductions@gmail.com

Jennifer Morrison is the writer behind the WhyGive blog. Experience: Jennifer Morrison is an experienced event planner and hostess, as well as a businesswoman, financial coach, blogger, and online reseller. On WhyGive Jennifer shares how you can create simple yet special moments of hospitality for your family and friends. While on Why Give you will find easy recipes, hospitality and entertaining ideas, family moments, and inspirational stories.

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3 Comments

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  • A WordPress Commenter
    · Reply

    April 26, 2017 at 4:00 PM

    Hi, this is a comment.
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  • Alison Kelly
    · Reply

    March 16, 2020 at 6:02 PM

    I felt such a connection to this story having grown up in a small town. Thanks for the review! I always love to see what other book bloggers think!

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    • 7thyearproductions@gmail.com
      · Reply

      Author
      March 21, 2020 at 3:02 PM

      Yes, I really enjoyed this book. I find it a read I simply could not put down.

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