Is Hillbilly Elegy By J.D. Vance Based on a True Story and Where Can I Read It?

Senator J.D. Vance, author of Hillbilly Elegy, was recently chosen to be Donald Trump’s vice presidential running mate. The best-selling novel was turned into a film directed by Ron Howard. While the book was popular upon initial release, it’ll no doubt gain a new audience now, and many will wonder if it’s based on a true story. We’ll cover whether Hillbilly Elegy is fictional or not below and point you in the right direction to read the book or stream the film.

Is Hillbilly Elegy based on a true story?

Hillbilly Elegy is a memoir of J.D. Vance’s life growing up in Middletown, Ohio. As such, it’s a direct recording of true events (as Vance remembers them). In the book, Vance recounts his personal history, including his relationship with his family. Part of this is an examination of Appalachian values and whether it’s the “hillbilly culture” or economic insecurity to blame for adverse life outcomes for those in the region.

The book will be eye-opening to those who are unfamiliar with Appalachia. Since the Civil War, the mountainous region has often been socially and economically isolated from the rest of the United States. Vance writes about the hillbilly stereotype, which can be a source of pride or a debilitating stereotype for those who live in or have migrated from the region.

Where can I read Hillbilly Elegy?

Fortunately for those who want to read it, Hillbilly Elegy is still in print and quite affordable. It can be found in e-book format for around $13.50, in paperback for $16, or in hardcover for $25.

If you want to stream the 2020 Hillbilly Elegy movie based on the book, you’re in luck as well. The film is available to stream now on Netflix. However, it hasn’t received a home video release, so no DVD or Blu-Ray version is available.