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the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
This book was just as hard as I expected it to be in many ways, and even harder in some. Not because of the writing or style - which are both smooth and lead you easily through both the memoir and the analytical parts, but because it hit waaaaay too close to home. I had to take a couple of breaks because it made me too emotional.
I spent a good chunk of my life in the town that Monica Potts writes about, from around the time I was 10 or 11 to 24 (although it was only part time once I turned 18 and started going to the UofA in Fayetteville and travelling abroad during my longer holidays). I actually grew up in her periphery, being in the same grade as her middle sister, Ashley, although we weren't in the same friend groups. I know all of the people mentioned, some better than others. And I spent a good portion of my time there wishing I was somewhere, anywhere else.
It felt like Monica was telling a very similar story to my own. I ran away from Clinton as fast as I could, and spent years trying to forget it and Arkansas in general. And I left behind many people that I cared about but couldn't save, people who are stuck in cycles that are painfully similar to Darci's - more forgotten girls. I have since reconnected with some of them in one form or another. Others have been lost to time.
This book made me ache with sadness, rage, dispair... And it just solidified my determination to never move back - not to Clinton, not to Arkansas, and maybe not even the US. More power to those who are capable of doing so, maybe their ties were stronger. My experiences have changed me too much to fit in, if I ever did at all...
I spent a good chunk of my life in the town that Monica Potts writes about, from around the time I was 10 or 11 to 24 (although it was only part time once I turned 18 and started going to the UofA in Fayetteville and travelling abroad during my longer holidays). I actually grew up in her periphery, being in the same grade as her middle sister, Ashley, although we weren't in the same friend groups. I know all of the people mentioned, some better than others. And I spent a good portion of my time there wishing I was somewhere, anywhere else.
It felt like Monica was telling a very similar story to my own. I ran away from Clinton as fast as I could, and spent years trying to forget it and Arkansas in general. And I left behind many people that I cared about but couldn't save, people who are stuck in cycles that are painfully similar to Darci's - more forgotten girls. I have since reconnected with some of them in one form or another. Others have been lost to time.
This book made me ache with sadness, rage, dispair... And it just solidified my determination to never move back - not to Clinton, not to Arkansas, and maybe not even the US. More power to those who are capable of doing so, maybe their ties were stronger. My experiences have changed me too much to fit in, if I ever did at all...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
edhyndman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Racism
mondovertigo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Pregnancy and Racism
Minor: Abortion, Mental illness, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts
creativerunnings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Pregnancy
greyt_things's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Child death
bschweig717's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This was a heartbreaking, illuminating, and vulnerable piece of memoir. I am thankful to have read it. I feel like I saw myself in many of the people in it at times. It was heartbreaking and also illuminating about the importance of community for each of us to thrive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Self harm, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Grief, Drug use, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Suicide, Abandonment, and Addiction
bookmaddie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
I read this on audio (exciting for me!!), and even though it took me awhile, I really enjoyed it. Very intense, sad and thoughtful memoir.
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I decided to dip my toes back into audiobooks, and I think I’m ~lightly~ hooked! They’re such a nice companion to cooking, cleaning, and going on walks, and perfect for when I need a bit of a break from tunes (I’m not much of a podcast girl). I started with this book on a whim, and while it took me a month to get through, I found it to be a very valuable, heartrending read.
Potts chronicles her childhood in rural Arkansas, focusing on her friendship with a girl named Darcy and how, and why, their lives went in completely different directions. Potts journalistic roots shine through as she deftly weaves facts and studies about the living in rural areas with her own story, and that of Darcy. By examining how her and Darcy’s paths diverged, Potts questions how and why living in rural areas results in worse health, educational, and employment outcomes for these communities.
Yet hidden just below a somewhat journalistic tone, Potts’ story is full of emotion. Her friendship with Darcy, both as children and then reconnecting in adulthood, is an endless push-and-pull, yet full of loyalty and hope. Potts’ recollections of her childhood, and returning to her hometown, were brought to life through her heartfelt narration. I’m so glad I came to this story on audio!
This is a very balanced memoir with a lot of hope and insight to build better communities in rural areas. I may not have picked up this book in print, but I’m so glad I gave it a listen. It’s a deeply felt love letter to Potts’ home, and all those who prefer open skies to crowded roads. Definitely not one to overlook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Car accident, Child death, Confinement, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
rly's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Death, Miscarriage, Addiction, Drug use, and Drug abuse
rootedreader's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to read.
Monica Potts sets out to investigate the causes of poverty, specifically the poverty of women from rural areas of America. Overall I enjoyed this book, one of my top genres to read is investigative journalism. Though listed as memoir, my experience reading this was somewhere in the middle. Connecting several systemic issues, she describes a situation that leaves many opportunities for someone to "fall into" and stay in poverty. The memoir side of the book was a bit difficult for me. Comparing her and her best friend's life choices it came across as judgmental-towards her friend as well as the town. The last chapter or two threw me for a loop as well as (*SPOILER*) she moved back to that same town she spent the whole book criticizing.
Monica Potts sets out to investigate the causes of poverty, specifically the poverty of women from rural areas of America. Overall I enjoyed this book, one of my top genres to read is investigative journalism. Though listed as memoir, my experience reading this was somewhere in the middle. Connecting several systemic issues, she describes a situation that leaves many opportunities for someone to "fall into" and stay in poverty. The memoir side of the book was a bit difficult for me. Comparing her and her best friend's life choices it came across as judgmental-towards her friend as well as the town. The last chapter or two threw me for a loop as well as (*SPOILER*) she moved back to that same town she spent the whole book criticizing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Drug abuse
debussy's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I am a white woman not far off from the author’s age and grew up in the Arkansas Ozarks. So much of this book felt like reading about my own life—the relentless isolation, conservatism, and xenophobia of the area as well as the driving need to leave it while developing a strange, complicated relationship with it afterward are so on point. The way the area is a deeply messed up patriarchy steeped with religion makes women scapegoats—there to be blamed or used by the men who have little in their lives except the ability to control others. This is a sad, compelling, and unfortunately accurate portrait of a place I still love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Addiction, Alcoholism, Classism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Xenophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic, Child death, Death of parent, and Misogyny
Minor: Miscarriage and Physical abuse