My mother is from WV and while I knew the conditions described in this book would shock others, they didn’t surprise me at all. If you are from Appalachia through to southern Ohio, you’ll get it.

If you want to know the why, that is more complex. Appalachia very much has its own (misunderstood) culture. Controversial as it is, “Hillbilly Elegy” (book, not movie) may help break down some of the “why” but it’s not applicable to everyone. WV is critically impoverished but no one cares, particularly not Joe Manchin.

It’s okay that the author grew to be able to accept her parents had mental illness, lack of education, lack of compassion, lack of resources that informed their ability to parent.

My thoughts about it become disjointed because I’m so passionate about the area and the culture and it’s affects on future generations.