A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis
Hillbilly Elegy: A Book and a Movie
The Book
A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis is a bestselling 2016 memoir by J Vance about his early life in the Appalachian region of Kentucky. The book explores the complex social and economic issues facing the region, and has been praised for its honest and unflinching portrayal of American life.
The Movie
Hillbilly Elegy is a 2020 American drama film directed by Ron Howard from a screenplay by Vanessa Taylor. The film is based on the 2016 memoir of the same name by J.D. Vance. The film stars Amy Adams as Vance's mother, Bev, and Glenn Close as his grandmother, Mamaw. The film was released on Netflix in 2020.
The Author's Changing Views
In Hillbilly Elegy, Vance suggested that the American working class is to blame for its own troubles. However, in recent years, Vance has appeared to doubt this thesis. In a 2021 interview with The New York Times, Vance said, "I think I was wrong about a lot of things in that book." He went on to say that he now believes that the working class is not to blame for its own problems, but rather is a victim of systemic inequality.
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