I read this book earlier this year and Desmond points out the impact of poor physical and mental health as well as drug addiction on those who are evicted. As a country, we are very derelict in our duties to offer treatment which certainly accounts for the increase in the homeless population. Not to mention the cost of housing.
For me one of the strengths of Evicted is that the reader meets real people, Desmond puts a face to the statistics. He had another book come out last year that was equally eye opening. The title is Poverty, by America. Desmond looks at the fact that the United States is the richest country in the world while at the same time has more poverty than any other advanced democracy.
I’m looking forward to reading Alice Adams. Thank you for your recommendations.
Seconded on Evicted. It’s not long on prescription, which is completely fine, but one I do recall from Desmond is the need for legal representation during eviction cases, which presents an imbalance in complete favor of the landlord. The other vignette that stuck with me was the despairing splurge on the one good dinner, which in one context could be seen as bad decision, but in another, as Desmond effectively presents it, as a despairing scream against conditions one is mired in. Incidentally, Dion Graham pitch-perfectly narrates the Audible version.
Good summary on Alice Adams. I agree Tarkington touches universal themes, and I like how Tarkington ends this book, but I’m not sure I’d recommend outside of the Pulitzer goal :).
Evicted should be required reading for all Americans. It's heartbreaking but so important to see the reality. I grew up poor but we were never evicted. Many poor kids have been through it dozens of times before they become adults.
Glad you enjoyed Alice Adams. I don't see Edith Wharton anywhere, though.
This sounds like a great read. Another book which details the struggles of the working poor is Profit and Punishment by Tony Messenger. In it Messenger describes how small cities use the courts as a profit center, by means of fees that end up trapping the defendant in jail. Highly recommended.
I read this book earlier this year and Desmond points out the impact of poor physical and mental health as well as drug addiction on those who are evicted. As a country, we are very derelict in our duties to offer treatment which certainly accounts for the increase in the homeless population. Not to mention the cost of housing.
🙌
For me one of the strengths of Evicted is that the reader meets real people, Desmond puts a face to the statistics. He had another book come out last year that was equally eye opening. The title is Poverty, by America. Desmond looks at the fact that the United States is the richest country in the world while at the same time has more poverty than any other advanced democracy.
I’m looking forward to reading Alice Adams. Thank you for your recommendations.
Yes I've heard his recent book is good! Glad to hear that recommendation.
Seconded on Evicted. It’s not long on prescription, which is completely fine, but one I do recall from Desmond is the need for legal representation during eviction cases, which presents an imbalance in complete favor of the landlord. The other vignette that stuck with me was the despairing splurge on the one good dinner, which in one context could be seen as bad decision, but in another, as Desmond effectively presents it, as a despairing scream against conditions one is mired in. Incidentally, Dion Graham pitch-perfectly narrates the Audible version.
Good summary on Alice Adams. I agree Tarkington touches universal themes, and I like how Tarkington ends this book, but I’m not sure I’d recommend outside of the Pulitzer goal :).
Evicted should be required reading for all Americans. It's heartbreaking but so important to see the reality. I grew up poor but we were never evicted. Many poor kids have been through it dozens of times before they become adults.
Glad you enjoyed Alice Adams. I don't see Edith Wharton anywhere, though.
You beat me to it. Where’s Edith?
I just typed it wrong. :) I don't quite know where Edith came from there — but she was in my head for something!
Ha, I just typed that subheading wrong. :) Must have had Edith on the mind or something!
This sounds like a great read. Another book which details the struggles of the working poor is Profit and Punishment by Tony Messenger. In it Messenger describes how small cities use the courts as a profit center, by means of fees that end up trapping the defendant in jail. Highly recommended.
Never heard of that one, thanks for the rec!