Hillbilly Elegy
J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” is a raw, unflinching memoir that delves into the heart of Appalachian culture. Growing up in a rust belt town, Vance paints a vivid picture of his family’s struggles with poverty, addiction, and violence. His journey from a troubled childhood to Yale Law School is both inspiring and heartbreaking. I found myself alternately nodding in recognition and wincing at the harsh realities he describes. Vance’s honest, often painful reflections on class, family, and the American Dream left me pondering long after I turned the last page.