From Trump Critic to VP Pick: How J.D. Vance’s Political Shift Reshapes “Hillbilly Elegy” Legacy

Folks, it looks like the political roller coaster has taken another wild turn, and this time, it’s sending ripples through the literary world. Who would’ve thought that a memoir about growing up in Appalachia would become the hottest political accessory of the season? But here we are, watching J.D. Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy” climb the bestseller charts faster than you can say “Make America Great Again.” Let’s dive into this peculiar tale of political transformation and literary success, shall we?

From Trump Critic to VP Pick: Vance’s Political Journey

J.D. Vance’s journey from Trump critic to Trump’s vice presidential pick is nothing short of remarkable. Once a vocal opponent of the former president, Vance has now found himself in the spotlight as Trump’s chosen running mate for the 2024 election. This dramatic shift in allegiance has not only reshaped Vance’s political career but has also reignited interest in his memoir, “Hillbilly Elegy.”

JD Vance’s ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Skyrockets To Top Of Charts Following VP Rollout | @DailyCaller https://t.co/ua4F1pm7ky

— KAY SMYTHE (@KaySmythe) August 1, 2024

The Resurgence of “Hillbilly Elegy”

Since Trump’s announcement, “Hillbilly Elegy” has shot to the top of bestseller lists, with sales reaching at least 1.6 million copies. The memoir, which details Vance’s experiences growing up in rural Kentucky and Ohio, has become a lightning rod for discussions about the transformation of Appalachia from a Democratic stronghold to a Republican bastion.

“I think that it’s more about the white working-class folks who aren’t necessarily economically destitute but in some ways feel very culturally isolated and very pessimistic about the future,” JD Vance, on his book.

The book’s renewed popularity extends beyond print, with the 2020 film adaptation seeing a significant increase in viewership on Netflix. This surge in interest underscores the enduring relevance of Vance’s narrative in understanding the political and cultural landscape of America’s heartland.

Controversy and Criticism

While “Hillbilly Elegy” has found new life in the bestseller lists, it hasn’t been without controversy. Critics argue that the memoir oversimplifies rural life and ignores the role of racism in politics. The book’s newfound popularity has also led to some unexpected challenges, with Goodreads temporarily suspending reviews due to unusual behavior, likely to prevent review-bombing. Recent would-be reviewers were met with messages like these on the book review social media platform, Goodreads:

“Rating this book is temporarily unavailable.”

Despite the criticism, Vance’s storytelling skills continue to captivate readers. A column he wrote in 2006 while serving as a Marine has resurfaced, showcasing his ability to connect with audiences through personal anecdotes.

The Impact on Political Discourse

Vance’s memoir gained national attention after Trump’s 2016 election victory, as it was considered crucial for understanding the white, working-class voters who supported Trump. Now, with Vance potentially becoming the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon at age 39, his story has taken on new significance in the political arena.

“I felt that if I wrote a very forthright, and sometimes painful, book, that it would open people’s eyes to the very real matrix of these problems.” – Vance.

As the 2024 election approaches, “Hillbilly Elegy” serves as both a cultural touchstone and a political barometer, offering insights into the complex factors that shape American voting patterns and cultural identities.

Sources

From Around The Web

REVISITING J.D. VANCE’S MEMOIR, ‘HILLBILLY ELEGY’ – YOUTUBE

J.D. VANCE, “HILLBILLY ELEGY” & APPALACHIA’S SHIFT TO THE RIGHT: ARLIE RUSSELL HOCHSCHILD

JD VANCE SPEAKS ON THE THIRD DAY OF THE RNC IN MILWAUKEE | NBC DFW – YOUTUBE

JD Vance’s ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ Skyrockets To Top Of Charts Following VP Rollout | @DailyCaller https://t.co/ua4F1pm7ky

— KAY SMYTHE (@KaySmythe) August 1, 2024

On J.D Vance, Trump's VP pick:
So, I read his 'Hillbilly elegy' not long after it came out. I was really interested to learn from it. To enter into the mindset. & people were saying the most wonderful things about it.
What did I find?: I yawned almost from start to finish. I…

— Rupert Read 🌍 🔥 (@GreenRupertRead) July 16, 2024

Trump picks JD Vance, Ohio Senator and author of Hillbilly Elegy, as his VP.

I remember reading Hillbilly Elegy growing up (I am originally from Ohio), not even thinking at the time how it would foreshadow a future political career.

— Penny Kmitt (@pennylikeacoin) July 15, 2024

With JD Vance looking like the Republican pick for vice president, a reminder that there's a great collection of activist and scholarly perspectives on him—Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy. A bunch of us worked on it at (no surprise) a university press.

— Derek Krissoff (@DerekKrissoff) July 15, 2024