The setting of this dark and foreboding book is Buell, a once prosperous Pennsylvania steel town, now littered with abandoned buildings and souls.

Because of the high recommendations, I kept reading hoping to find redemption or certainly some slant of light shining through the ominous clouds of poverty, defeat and oppressiveness.

The pros: The book is well written
The cons: The book is too dark, stark and hopeless
The plot: Two friends who attempt to run away from the pervasive poverty when dramatically their lives change by a happenstance meeting with three menacing bums/hobos.

I didn't like this book. Working in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and living here for years, I witnessed the demise of Bethlehem Steel. While Billy Joel sang of Allentown and closing all the factories down, miraculously Bethlehem is doing ok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHnJp0...

American Rust is disturbingly, dramatically and blatantly oppressive without a glimmer of the reality of hope.

I cannot recommend this book.