Hillbilly Elegy

up. But until I was twelve, I spent my
summers and much of the rest of my time
back in Jackson. I’d visit along with
Mamaw, who wanted to see friends and
family, ever conscious that time was
shortening the list of her favorite people.
And as time wore on, we made our trips
for one reason above all: to take care of
Mamaw’s mother, whom we called
Mamaw Blanton (to distinguish her,
though somewhat confusingly, from
Mamaw). We stayed with Mamaw
Blanton in the house where she’d lived
since before her husband left to fight the
Japanese in the Pacific.
Mamaw Blanton’s house was my
favorite place in the world, though it