Book Review: Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J. D. Vance

This heart-wrenchingly honest biography and commentary describes J. D. Vance's movement from early childhood in poverty-stricken Appalachian Kentucky to a prosperous adulthood as a Marine Corps vet and Yale Law School graduate. Now, he is a junior senator from Ohio and a Vice Presidential candidate, developments not covered in the book. He had a blend of good luck, hard work, and people looking out for him that enabled the changes in his life. 

The memoir is about more than Vance achieving the American Dream. It's a look at the contrast between the poorest elements of American society and the affluent elements. His family includes a sister, grandparents, and aunts and uncles who gave various sorts of support. His mother struggled with addiction and went through many husbands and boyfriends. His biological father left early, leaving Vance with a constant string of father figures who came and left with varying degrees of interaction with Vance. His grandmother and grandfather on his mother's side (Mamaw and Papaw) became stand-in parents, though they lived an almost cliched hillbilly lifestyle. They were loyal to family but fought a lot, verbally and physically. Internal family conflicts were kept in the family. Outsiders (like strangers, social workers, or neighbors) were kept at arms-length. The family believed in the American Dream but often wouldn't put the effort in to make their lives better. 

Vance's immediate family moved to Ohio for better jobs and better circumstances. But they brought their culture and attitudes with them, leading to a rough start socially and academically. His mom always got in fights, making home life tough. Mamaw lived not far away and Vance would often go to her house as a refuge. In high school, he shifted his focus to academics and lived long term with Mamaw. After graduation, he spent four years in the Marine Corps where he learned all the skills and discipline that successful adults need. He came out, went to Ohio State University where he almost relapsed academically. Wanting to be a lawyer, he put the work in to make it to Yale, where he met a wonderful woman and got more life advice from teachers that helped him navigate the unfamiliar world of the elite.

While Vance discusses the problems that face the rural poor (which is not so much different from the urban poor--lack of father figures, promiscuity, drug and alcohol addictions), he does not have a lot of concrete solutions. Some government programs are well-intentioned but counter-productive. The unstable family life with no real father figure has a huge negative impact that can be overcome, but that takes a lot of work both personally and civically. As a child, Vance depended on his family network (especially his sister and grandmother) to survive. As an adult, he depended on his social network (especially teachers and mentors) to thrive in unfamiliar environments. He worked hard and had a lot of support. 

Government solutions are fraught with peril. Vance grew up with the hillbilly attitude that politicians are crooks and the last thing to do is get government (local, state, or federal) involved in your problems. Then he worked during college at the Ohio State House and saw how most of the representatives were well-intentioned people. The government can provide help but people need both to want and accept help, along with the very difficult admission that they need help. 

The book is a tough and insightful read into the various cultures that inhabit our country.

Recommended.