In 'Hillbilly Elegy,' J.D. Vance recounts his life growing up in a dysfunctional family in Middletown, Ohio, with roots in Kentucky's Appalachia. The book details his experiences with poverty, addiction, and family violence, as well as his journey to joining the marines and eventually graduating from Yale Law School. Vance provides a personal and insightful look into the decline of the white working class in America, exploring themes of family, culture, and the loss of the American dream. The memoir also touches on the political swing of the region, particularly in relation to the 2016 presidential election and the appeal of Donald Trump to this demographic.
The book follows fourteen-year-old Arnold Spirit Jr., also known as 'Junior,' who lives on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Junior decides to leave his troubled school on the reservation to attend Reardan High School, a predominantly white school 23 miles away. The novel, which includes Junior's written record and cartoon drawings, chronicles his struggles with racism, bullying, and his relationships, as well as his efforts to break away from the life he thought he was destined to live. The story is inspired by Sherman Alexie's own experiences growing up on the Spokane Reservation.
In 'City of Thieves', David Benioff crafts a gripping narrative about survival and friendship during the brutal siege of Leningrad. The story follows Lev and Kolya, two youths tasked with finding eggs in a starving city, navigating the harsh realities of war and the absurdities of human desire amidst chaos. The novel explores themes of hope, courage, and the human condition in the face of extreme adversity.
In this special episode, Ravi is joined by Emily Lilley of The Book & Cover to discuss his new novel, Garbage Town, out today. Set in 1990s Staten Island, this coming-of-age thriller follows a group of teens who stumble upon a buried secret and find themselves in a fight for their lives.
Ravi and Emily explore the real-life inspiration behind the novel’s characters and setting, the nostalgic pull of the pre-digital era, and the complicated beauty of growing up in a small community. They dig into how Ravi built the world of Garbage Town, from the real Staten Island streets of his childhood to the critical moments that give the story its pulse. Ravi also reflects on what the writing process taught him and how it helped him rediscover the texture of everyday moments.
Learn more about Garbage Town by visiting www.garbagetownbook.com.
Want to meet Ravi and discuss Garbage Town in person? RSVP to one of his upcoming events:
Check out The Book & Cover on Bookshop.org: HERE
Leave us a voicemail with your thoughts on the show! 321-200-0570
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Follow Ravi at @ravimgupta
Follow The Branch at @thebranchmedia
Notes from this episode are available on Substack: https://thelostdebate.substack.com/
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