What To Know About The Book
Before JD Vance became Donald Trump’s running mate for the 2024 presidential election, he was an Ohio senator, lawyer and a bestselling author.
Vance achieved literary recognization with the publication of his 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy.” The book, which reflects on the circumstances of Vance’s family and the community in which he grew up, sparked discussions about the complexities of poverty in Appalachia and Rust Belt communities.
Read on for more about Vance’s memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”
What is 'Hillbilly Elegy'?
“Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis” is a 2016 memoir written by JD Vance.
Vance’s memoir examines the socio-economic situation of white working-class people by holding up a mirror to his connection to the Appalachian communities where his mother and her family lived.
The book includes Vance's recollection of the early struggles of his childhood, which were marked by his mother’s addiction and family violence. Vance recalls being left in the care of his grandparents, where his grandmother inspired him to rise above his circumstances. The book tracks Vance's journey as he joins the Marine Corps, studies at Ohio State University, and eventually attends Yale Law School.
Harper Collins published the book, which appeared on the New York Times best-seller list.
Why was 'Hillbilly Elegy' criticized?
Since its release, Vance’s book has received both praise and criticism.
The New York Times review of the book described the memoir as airing Vance’s “frustration with the nonworking white poor” while preaching “a message of tough love and personal responsibility.”
“President Obama believes poverty, though it may have a cultural component, is largely a structural problem, one the government can play a large role in fixing,” The New York Times wrote in its book review. “Mr. Vance, a conservative, takes a far dimmer view.”
In 2016, The Guardian panned Vance's memoir for its attribution of the economic conditions and disadvantages of the white working-class people to their own actions and decisions. In 2019, The New York Times reported that a group called Y’ALL (Young Appalachian Leaders and Learners) protested Vance’s appearance at the 2018 Appalachian Studies Association conference.
Is 'Hillbilly Elegy' a true story?
“Hillbilly Elegy” is a memoir written by JD Vance and recounts the events and experiences of his own life. The book details his family’s struggles with poverty, addiction and instability, and, ultimately, his journey out.
When was 'Hillbilly Elegy' made into a movie?
In 2020, “Hillbilly Elegy” was made into a film directed by Ron Howard.
The movie features Amy Adams as JD’s mother, Beverly Vance, Glenn Close as JD’s grandmother, and Gabriel Basso as JD Vance. Freida Pinto also appears in the film as Usha Chilukuri Vance, JD Vance's wife.
How to watch 'Hillbilly Elegy'
“Hillbilly Elegy” is currently available to stream on Netflix.
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