JD Vance’s memoir Hillbilly Elegy has soared to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list, capturing widespread attention just after his recent selection as a vice-presidential candidate. The book provides a poignant exploration of Vance’s upbringing in Appalachia, delving into the socio-economic challenges faced by working-class families in the region.
Hillbilly Elegy chronicles Vance’s life growing up in a troubled, economically depressed area of Ohio, offering insights into the cultural and familial struggles that shaped his experiences. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Vance examines issues such as poverty, addiction, and the erosion of traditional values.
The memoir has resonated with readers and critics alike for its candid portrayal of the struggles and resilience of those living in America’s rust belt. With its new prominence on the bestseller list, Hillbilly Elegy is sparking discussions about class, identity, and the American Dream.
Vance has authored one book, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, published by HarperCollins in 2016. He was initially contracted to write a second book, A Relevant Faith: Searching for a Meaningful American Christianity, but the project was ultimately abandoned, as reported by the Associated Press in 2022.
Hillbilly Elegy recounts Vance’s tumultuous childhood marked by abuse, alcoholism, and poverty. It traces his white, working-class family’s journey from Kentucky’s Appalachian region to his formative years in Middletown, Ohio. Vance also reflects on his Marine Corps service and higher education, exploring themes of “generational upward mobility” and the impact of his family’s troubled history.
During his 2022 Senate campaign, Vance spoke about how his grandparents’ experiences shaped his political views, describing their move to southern Ohio as a quest for opportunity and a chance to achieve a middle-class lifestyle through hard work and adherence to traditional values.
His memoir gained significant attention in the wake of the 2016 election, with some pundits using it to explain Trump’s appeal to white, rural voters. The New York Times described it as a “tough love analysis of the poor who back Trump.” Despite Vance’s early criticism of Trump, even comparing him to “America’s Hitler,” he shifted his stance and secured Trump’s endorsement during his 2022 Senate run.
By the time of his Senate bid against Rep. Ryan, Vance’s memoir had bolstered his political profile, presenting him as a candidate who could relate to the experiences of everyday Americans. However, some critics, including a review in The Atlantic, argue that the book and its film adaptation frame poverty as a “moral failing” rather than addressing systemic issues, noting that it perpetuates a simplistic “pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps” narrative.
