Hillbilly Elegy

hard and believing they’ll claim their
own American Dream. Many of my
friends have built successful lives and
happy families in Middletown or nearby.
They are not the problem, and if you
believe the statistics, the children of
these intact homes have plenty of reason
for optimism.
I always straddled those two worlds.
Thanks to Mamaw, I never saw only the
worst of what our community offered,
and I believe that saved me. There was
always a safe place and a loving
embrace if ever I needed it. Our
neighbors’ kids couldn’t say the same.
One Sunday, Mamaw agreed to
watch Aunt Wee’s kids for several