November Book Notes
The following is a compilation of the UMRA Book Club members’ reactions to their November read: Hillbilly Elegy.
Most of the group found this book thought-provoking, although one member found it disappointing. The book is an insider’s view of the people of Appalachian country and is helpful in understanding recent political events and the great divide that has become evident in our nation.
Vance says the culture he grew up in “had no heroes.” He states the culture has a deep distrust of the media, politicians, and all institutions; yet is very vulnerable to conspiracy theories. He says they are caught in a “group belief” that if you try to get ahead you never do, so why try at all?
He emphasizes that his success resulted from having had some stable people in his life to counter the often chaotic, crazy behaviors around him. He had to detach himself in order to survive, yet he continued loving his mother in spite of all her failed relationships, her drug use, and her ultimate use of heroin, which Vance calls “the Kentucky Derby of drugs.” Vance acknowledges that he was saved by his grandparents.
The author credits the Marines for giving him an expanding sense of self-worth so that he was able to graduate from Ohio State University and from Yale Law School. A student of Vance’s background attending such schools is almost unheard of, said one of our members. Over all, our book club was impressed by the author’s grit and foresight, which helped him outgrow the culture he grew up in. Members admired the culture’s devotion to family and the fact that a seed of optimism seemed to always be there, even in the worst of times.
Near the end of the book Vance describes how he thought he was able to shake off his background and become a productive member of society, while still carrying the weight of “his people.”
Hillbilly Elegy is a must-read for anyone wanting a better understanding of the dissatisfaction of the poorer, white working class and their struggles to move ahead.
–UMRA Book Club
Book Club to discuss Hillbilly Elegy in November
Fri, Nov 17 2017, 2pm
At the November 17 Book Club meeting Bright Dornblaser will lead the discussion of Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance.
Also at that meeting we will select our books for the coming year. The meetings begin at 2 p.m. at the 1666 Coffman Residence, located on Larpenteur Avenue north of the U of M campus in St. Paul. Newcomers are welcome.
Upcoming Events
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.