‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Returns, but Appalachians Tell a Different Story

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, the 2016 memoir from Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance, gained renewed interest after former President Donald Trump named Vance as his running mate. Many are reading the memoir to understand Vance’s background, a key element of his political persona. However, the book has sparked debate over its portrayal of Appalachian life.

Pulitzer-winning author Barbara Kingsolver feels compelled to counter the narrative Vance presents. She criticizes Hillbilly Elegy for perpetuating stereotypes, depicting it as a personal success story overshadowed by derogatory generalizations about the people who remain in Appalachia. Kingsolver argues, “It used the same old victim-blaming trope. I disagree. And that’s my job, to tell a different story.”

The memoir has faced significant criticism, especially from authors focused on the region. Vance suggests that Appalachian culture “encourages social decay,” framing his upbringing as central to his political outlook and ideology.

Many Appalachian authors, including Kingsolver, challenge Vance’s representation of the region. Her novel Demon Copperhead, offering a fictional yet insightful look into the same communities, was named one of the New York Times’ best books of the century just ahead of the Republican National Convention. It also won a Pulitzer Prize last year.

As Hillbilly Elegy attracts more readers, these authors continue to challenge the assumptions presented in Vance’s narrative. They aim to present a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of Appalachian life.

Vance describes his upbringing in Middletown, Ohio, while spending considerable time in Jackson, Kentucky. Despite his expressed affinity for these areas, his memoir has created a cultural divide between him and Appalachian natives.

Kingsolver noted that Vance’s past comments, such as calling several Democrats “childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives,” only solidified her disappointment with Hillbilly Elegy. She felt Vance’s memoir lacked authentic understanding of the community he claimed to represent.

Other Appalachians have also highlighted this issue. Meredith McCarroll and Anthony Harkins co-edited Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy, which critiques Vance’s book through various scholarly, poetic, and narrative lenses. Harkins comments that generalizing one person’s experience to represent the entire region is problematic, especially given the historical stereotypes and misrepresentations Appalachia has faced.

McCarroll, who also hails from Appalachia, emphasizes the importance of presenting various authentic voices. She argues that Appalachia is far too complex to be understood through a single narrative like Vance’s.

Historian Elizabeth Catte, author of What You Are Getting Wrong About Appalachia, criticizes authors who rely on stereotypes to tell their stories, calling for more genuine portrayals of the region. Catte believes such narratives should acknowledge Appalachia’s history and the economic factors shaping its present.

Despite the popularity of Hillbilly Elegy, many feel it misses crucial aspects of Appalachian life. Harkins stresses the significance of considering the region’s economic history, particularly the impact of extractive industries like coal mining and fracking.

Vance’s memoir found an audience among conservatives and non-Appalachian readers, serving as a lens to understand Trump’s supporters in the 2016 election. Yet, the book’s portrayal leaves out vital pieces of the Appalachian puzzle, according to critics.

Kingsolver and others aim to present a richer, more accurate picture. For Kingsolver, writing Demon Copperhead, which won the Pulitzer Prize, was about fostering empathy and breaking down simplistic stereotypes. “You have to give people characters that they love and believe in,” she says.

When Demon Copperhead won the Pulitzer Prize, Appalachia celebrated. “So many people from here, even my mail carrier and the cashier at the grocery store, said, ‘This is amazing. We won,’” Kingsolver recalls.

McCarroll resonates with the idea that diverse stories enrich understanding. She points out that a variety of narratives can challenge the monolithic representation of Appalachia that often prevails.

Kingsolver’s work aims to combat mainstream media’s often narrow portrayal of Appalachia. She stresses the importance of reflecting the region’s diversity and challenging preconceived notions about its socioeconomic conditions.

For Kingsolver and her readers, Demon Copperhead has succeeded in altering perceptions of Appalachia. Hearing from people who have reassessed their biases after reading her novel has been deeply gratifying for the author.

Though Hillbilly Elegy remains influential, Appalachian authors persist in offering alternative narratives. They strive to tell the full, more complex story of their region, focusing on both its challenges and its resilience.

Reacting to her recognition on the New York Times’ list, Kingsolver reflected in an Instagram post: “With a certain other ‘hillbilly’ book suddenly ascendant, my duty. No elegies here. Thank you.”

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Source: NPR