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kairosdreaming's review
4.0
*This book was received as an Advanced Reviewer's Copy from NetGalley.
What an interesting book! While not a West Virginian myself, being in the South and near the foothills of Appalachia, some of the folk expressions carried over and it was interesting too to see how they varied by region.
This book covers more modern folk, specifically what the author terms as "folklife", hearkening not necessarily to history, but to the adaptability of traditions and other expressions of culture and self that can be found. Going through topics like hotdogs (next time I'm passing through Bexley I'll have a stop to make for sure), to a museum where the townsfolk having a Sat. chat is part of the draw, to a video game that expresses different interesting notes of WV lore and place (I now need to play this video game), it covered a wide array of topics you wouldn't necessarily put together as "similar". But in the author's way of describing how culture can be generated, it makes sense.
There is some jargon that goes along with the topic (I, with no shame, don't mind looking up terms and concepts and had to do that a few times in this one), but I would expect that from any non-fiction book in a person's specialty area. In general, the vibe and purpose of the book came through and is a great way to explore the people of West Virginia while also understanding some of their history, sociology, and paths forward.
Review by M. Reynard 2022
What an interesting book! While not a West Virginian myself, being in the South and near the foothills of Appalachia, some of the folk expressions carried over and it was interesting too to see how they varied by region.
This book covers more modern folk, specifically what the author terms as "folklife", hearkening not necessarily to history, but to the adaptability of traditions and other expressions of culture and self that can be found. Going through topics like hotdogs (next time I'm passing through Bexley I'll have a stop to make for sure), to a museum where the townsfolk having a Sat. chat is part of the draw, to a video game that expresses different interesting notes of WV lore and place (I now need to play this video game), it covered a wide array of topics you wouldn't necessarily put together as "similar". But in the author's way of describing how culture can be generated, it makes sense.
There is some jargon that goes along with the topic (I, with no shame, don't mind looking up terms and concepts and had to do that a few times in this one), but I would expect that from any non-fiction book in a person's specialty area. In general, the vibe and purpose of the book came through and is a great way to explore the people of West Virginia while also understanding some of their history, sociology, and paths forward.
Review by M. Reynard 2022
aem's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This book hits close to home to me, figuratively and literally. As a West Virginian native, and one that has always had a deep appreciation and love for the Appalachian roots I’d be given and raised in, this book was inspiring and heartwarming while shattering my homesick heart even more. Easiest 5 star rating I’ve given in awhile. Emily’s writing is both connective and to the point, and her relationships built to with the people she writes about is apparent. I was about to relate and connect vicariously. Nothing but love.
annarella's review
5.0
I loved this well researched and informative book. it made me learn about the Appalacchian culture and was easy to follow.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
drollgorg's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
2.75
Normally I wouldn't let the dry, academic tone of a book affect my rating of it when I'm reading, well, an academic work. However, I take Emily Hilliard at her word when she tells me that this book is intended for general and not just academic audiences and that it's an exercise in creative nonfiction. The information contained within is interesting, and I certainly felt like my understanding of and sense of West Virginia as a place has been expanded. Along with my complaints about the dryness of the text though, I'm rather unconvinced of the revolutionary potential that Hilliard sees in West Virginian folkways- the Mine Wars were a century ago, no matter how actively and creatively the hillfolk have negotiated the transmission of everyday life and traditions, they have clearly grown more and more captured by reactionary politics, and the creative culture of wrestling or teacher's strikes has failed to translate into any kind of understanding of material politics. Perhaps the potential is there, but we've seen that resentment of the other over the lack of prosperity is the baked-in political impulse of the Rust Belt.
litwtchreads's review
4.5
This book is a well-written, scholarly book in an area that many people may have heard of but few actually know much about. While I can say that I was one of those people once, I now feel like I have learned so much about the Appalachian community Hilliard discusses in this book. Well-written, exciting stories, and is an engaging book.