Hillbilly Elegy

By J. D. Vance,

Book cover of Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Book description

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER Coming November 2020 as a major motion picture from Netflix starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close

'The political book of the year' Sunday Times

'A frank, unsentimental, harrowing memoir ... A superb book' New York Post

'I bought this to try to better understand Trump's appeal ...…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

4 authors picked Hillbilly Elegy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I especially loved this book on Appalachia because it told the truth. Sure, it was from one man’s perspective, but it resonated with me because it made sense.

This book also reminded me of my previous recommendation, Demon Copperhead. I like choosing a subject–say, Appalachia–and then reading multiple books about said subject.

This book was about choices, but it also rang true because the author’s own background, growing up amongst poverty and minimal options, lent credibility to the words, which I really liked.

From Catherine's list on Smoky Mountain history.

The book Hillbilly Elegy has become a talking point for many. Its author, J.D. Vance, has become a vocal right-wing politician while the film adaptation was ruthlessly panned. Yet, I found myself curiously drawn to the story.

There had to be a reason it led to all this aftermath. The reason, I found out, was that it is an inspiring read. Following a boy’s adolescence in poor Appalachia, I found myself sympathizing and learning something about the struggles blue-collar folks face.

While my upbringing was nowhere near as dramatic as Vance’s, I could relate. I grew up on a farm.…

Here is another book I added to my TBR list while researching my book—and another that sat there for years. But the similarities don’t end there. This is a coming-of-age story about clannish poor whites in the rural south. In both books the protagonist is a child growing up in a dysfunctional family. Again, I found a YouTube interview in which the author spoke of the love he has for his grandparents who were unconventional in their behavior.

It is my view that children from dysfunctional families often think their lives are normal.

A Sparrow Falls

By Vicki Olsen,

Book cover of A Sparrow Falls

Ad
Vicki Olsen Author Of A Sparrow Falls

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Air Force brat World War 2 junkie Gallivanter Beret-wearing Francophile Book hoarder

Vicki's 3 favorite reads in 2024

What is my book about?

In this book set against the backdrop of a changing America, Sarah must find the courage to confront the ghosts of her past and come to terms with her future. Sarah, a young woman from the rural town of Tolerance, Arkansas, has endured an impoverished and painful childhood.

But now, as the innocence of the 1950s transforms into the turbulent 1960s, Sarah must find the strength to overcome her traumas, forgive those who have wronged her, and discover her true self. With its moving and often disturbing narrative, A Sparrow Falls is an evocative account of a young woman's journey…

A Sparrow Falls

By Vicki Olsen,

What is this book about?

A moving, sometimes disturbing, beautifully written book...Amazon Customer Review
Set in Arkansas as the innocence of the 1950s morphs into the turbulent ‘60s, A Sparrow Falls is an evocative account of a young woman emerging from an impoverished and traumatic childhood as she finds the inner strength to overcome her past. Te ghosts of the past and come to terms with her future is in the strength to forgive those who have wronged her?
Content Advisory: This book is intended for mature audiences and contains child sexual abuse and disturbing imagery.


What Hillbilly Elegy brought up for me as an abuse survivor is that grey area where one asks if exposure to violence that may not directly affect you is abuse. What do we do about our family members who are uneducated and violent, with aggression as a survival tactic in society. J.D. Vance felt loved by grandparents who were loyal but also extremely erratic in their behavior. He was also taught it was okay to retaliate to his oppressors with violence. His mother’s rage is also a fright for him, where he fears his life even when she doesn’t lay…

From Kim's list on abuse survivors speaking candidly.

Want books like Hillbilly Elegy?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Hillbilly Elegy.

Browse books like Hillbilly Elegy

Book cover of East of Eden
Book cover of Inside Out: A Memoir
Book cover of A Rose for Emily

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,480

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in the working class, social mobility, and family?

The Working Class 111 books
Social Mobility 15 books
Family 4,158 books