Often serving as a backdrop for mockery and used as a punchline for outsiders, Appalachia is frequently employed as a caricature of strife, poverty and drug abuse in pop culture. While Hillbilly Elegy did just that by giving the world a one-dimensional, demeaning look at the region, it didn’t speak for the true history, resiliency or deep-rooted culture of Appalachia. Fortunately, there are a wealth of Appalachian writers that properly capture the beauty, struggles and triumphs of Appalachia. Not only that—they have actually lived it. If you’re looking for stories that respect and honor the enduring soul of the region, these 10 books are the perfect antidote to vice presidential nominee J.D. Vance’s oversimplified narrative.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
A retelling of Dickens’ David Copperfield, Demon Copperhead follows the turbulent childhood of Damon Fields as he navigates the upheavals of foster care, addiction, loss and heartbreak. Through his experiences—landing from his harrowing encounters with drug abuse to his struggle for identity and stability—native Kentuckian Barbara Kingsolver offers a detailed examination of how these challenges shape a life.
Providing a cultural outlook on the mockery of Appalachia, she also weaves a rich tapestry of life for the endurance and vibrance of the region despite systemic neglect and hardship.
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
South Carolinian Dorothy Allison creates a powerful and haunting tale of adolescence against the backdrop of class-based discrimination and abuse. Set in the 1950s, Bastard Out of Carolina follows Bone, a young girl growing up in poverty in South Carolina. As Bone navigates her turbulent family life, marked by her mother’s abusive relationship with her stepfather, the novel offers a raw exploration of the intersections between poverty, trauma and societal judgement.
Allison’s vivid, unflinching depiction of Appalachian life highlighting both the harsh realities some and the enduring strength of all make the novel a must-read within the genre.
Making Our Future: Visionary Folklore & Everyday Culture in Appalachia by Emily Hilliard
Thought the lens of folklore and contemporary practices, West Virginian Emily Hilliard delves into the vibrant traditions of Appalachian culture as well as its evolving cultural landscape. Hilliard meticulously examines how traditional storytelling, from mountain ballads to ritual practices, intersects with modern adaptations such as digital storytelling and community festivals.
By highlighting specific examples like the revival of folk music scenes and contemporary interpretations of traditional craft, Hilliard presents a nuanced portraits of how cultural practices sustain community bonds and forge new identities amidst socio-economic challenges, bridging the past and present by reinforcing cultural continuity and community solidarity.
Shae by Mesha Maren
North Carolinian Mesha Maren offers an intimate portrait of life in North Carolina through its titular character, Shae, as she confronts the profound hardships of loss and personal transformation. Upon returning to her childhood home after her mother’s death, Shae is compelled to address unresolved family conflicts and navigate the complexities of caring for her estranged father, whose presence complicates her already difficult situation.
Maren’s detailed depiction of Shae’s interactions as well as her struggle to rebuild her life provides a powerful interplay between personal grief and the broader socioeconomic challenges of Appalachian life, not to mention the overwhelming emotions of returning to a home that might not love you back.
Clay’s Quilt by Silas House
After the tragic death of his wife, Clay Sizemore is left to navigate the complexities of grief, familial expectations and the desire for a better life for himself and his young son. Clay’s reflections are deeply influenced by his grandmother’s quilts, which symbolize the intricate connections between his personal journey and Appalachian-rooted heritage. As he grapples with the challenges of honoring family legacies, Clay finds solace and direction through his roots and the enduring traditions of his community.
In his typical fashion, Kentuckian Silas House richly depicts the cultural fabric of Appalachian life, intertwining themes of family, tradition and personal redemptions to create a heartfelt narrative capturing the region’s unique blend of resilience and connection.
Suttree by Cormac McCarthy
With richly textured prose and vivid depictions of rural life, Tennessean Cormac McCarthy captures the essence of Appalachian history and the human condition. Partly autobiographical, Suttree follows Cornelius Suttree as he abandons his old life to live on a houseboat on the Tennessee River. There, Suttree encounters a diverse array of characters who illuminate the depths of Appalachian experience.
McCarthy excels in exploring themes of isolation, connection and survival, offering a profound portrayal of life on the margins as well as insight into human vulnerability.
Even As We Breathe by Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle
Through its authentic representations of Native American experiences, Even As We Breathe stands out in Appalachian literature. Set on the brink of World War II, Cowney and Essie navigate their families’ pasts as well as the pervasive prejudice rampant in 1930s North Carolina.
North Carolinian Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle explores the unique cultural heritage and historical trauma of the Cherokee addressing displacement and identity with a depth that expands the sub-genre while contributing to a narrative that is generally overlooked in broader literary discussion, expanding the region’s literary landscape.
Death in Mud Lick by Eric Eyre
Addressing the opioid crisis, Death in Mud Lick employs investigate journalism to reveal how the corruption of pharmaceutical companies has fueled the oft-stereotyped epidemic. West Virginian Eric Eyre meticulously documents the economic despair and public health failures that have contributed to the crisis, contrasting these with the resistance and advocacy efforts of affected communities.
By giving a voice to the victims of addiction and highlighting local efforts to combat the epidemic, Eyre provides a compelling and refreshing perspective, bringing a much-needed clarity to one of the most dominating and controversial topics surrounding Appalachian discourse.
Take What You Need by Idra Novey
Set against the backdrop of a fictional Appalachian community dealing the closure of a local factory, Take What You Need follows a diverse cast—a disillusioned factory worker, a grieving widow and a young women seeking escape from a troubled past—as they navigate the fallout from the factory’s shutdown.
Pennsylvania native Idra Novey’s detailed portrayal of the town’s social fabric provides a nuanced look at how sudden economic instability exacerbates relationship, poverty and mental health issues while bringing the search for hope to the foreground.
Magic City Gospel by Ashley M. Jones
Profoundly exploring life in Birmingham, Alabama, native Alabamian Ashley M. Jones weaves together personal and broader social commentary to illuminate the city’s complexities. Through a blend of poetry and narrative, Jones delves into the impact of historical events such as the Civil Rights Movement, while highlighting the deep-seated hope that characterizes life in a city marked by both its tumultuous past and vibrant, evolving present.
By capturing the multifaceted nature of Birmingham, the literary dialogue about urban Appalachia and its social dynamics is enriched.
