Justin Tate's Reviews > Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis

Didn't see what the fuss was about, but maybe that's because I grew up in a small town and am familiar with 'hillbilly' mentality. If you read this and are shocked, then you probably are a part of the 'elite' class and could use the experience of seeing how the other side lives. Actual hillbillies reading this (probably none) might feel inspired by J. D.'s story.

There are some moderately intriguing tidbits of political insight. Notably a passage where Vance considers why the Obamas are so resented by poor whites. They hate how articulate and intelligent he is, he hypothesizes, they hate that his wife pushes for healthy eating. Not because she's wrong, but because they know she's right. They think the Obamas are intentionally insulting them by being so goody-goody.

He skirts around issues of racism, but to me that's obviously part of the equation. Life is hard, but at least these 'hillbillies' are American. It is my opinion that many of these individuals do not view persons of color as American, however. Maybe it's conscious, maybe it's unconscious, maybe it's history still weighing them down, but it messes with their head when they see non-whites in power. It's why "birtherism" can gather such a large following. Anyone of color can't possibly be American! Where were they really born?

That's just my armchair hypothesis, of course. I think this book does a good job of staying neutral and letting the reader draw their own conclusions. Rather than try to provide explanations, it focuses on starting a conversation. Unfortunately that didn't appeal to me. I read it hoping for answers; hoping someone could explain to me how the hell Trump is a thing and continues to be. Alas, that mystery remains unsolved. Or maybe it's simply too otherworldly for my comprehension.

Anyway, not the worst book out there, but don't expect to be enlightened. I give it a so-so recommendation.