Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth by Sarah Smarsh

[Heather]

3 stars

Heartland is the story of a young woman who grew up in poverty in rural Kansas in the 80s. She manages to break the cycle of unwed teen pregnancy that defined the women's lives in her immediate family and also, consequently, breaking out of the cycle of working class poverty. In between personal stories of her childhood she discusses the socioeconomic policies of the 80s and how they affect those trapped in the generational cycle of poverty.

A difficult read for sure, especially if any of these ideas hit uncomfortably close to home, but one I would recommend to anyone interested in this subject matter.

[Book Concierge]

Have you read Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis?

Is this more of the same or is this one different?

[Heather]

I haven’t read that one but the synopsis does sound similar. The big difference would probably be that Heartland is centered around the female experience, and the implications of being trapped in an abusive situation.