July book club read....I grew up about 60ish miles from this area, along the Ohio River. The topography IS stunning. The landscape IS heartbreakingly depressing . This book burrowed into my bones. The writing is not all proper grammar. It is written such that you are riding along inside the chapter narrator's thoughts. If you can't get beyond that, it might not be for you. Otherwise, hunker down into a formerly thriving slice of America and the lasting impact of its industrial descent. Philipp Meyer is a master storyteller. This particular story was compelling and he did a great job of giving another perspective of poverty and its long-terms effects on a community. Particularly, a community that WANTED to work and felt denied that opportunity.Folks who want a better understanding of the cycles of poverty would do well to read the likes of Philpp Meyer, Jesmyn Ward and Daniel Woodrell.
Fantastic, i have to say i rank this book right up there with anything John Steinbeck has written.
—Zozob25
Not as good as The Son. Still uses the character narrative approach.
—Nick
Very Steinbeck. Great characters. A bit dark. Really good.
—Zahraa
Tom Stechschulte should narrate all the audiobooks
—kate