Voices from the Rust Belt

November 13, 2017
Trubek, the founder of Belt Publishing, presents 24 essays by current and former residents of the Rust Belt states that explore the region’s postindustrial decline, as well as its resilience. One writer vividly recalls white flight to the suburbs in Detroit in the 1960s, and a present-day Flint, Mich., resident describes the cold dread of bathing a child in contaminated water. In a heartbreaking and urgent take on the opioid crisis, a Pennsylvania writer chronicles his efforts to gain custody of his daughter from her heroin-addicted mother. More than one essayist upbraids urban gentrifiers—the “armies of confused Williamsburg rejects” who elevate rents and push longtime (often older, nonwhite) residents out of their neighborhoods. In a moment of modest celebration, an Ohio resident chooses to elaborate on the state’s gritty reputation with an ode to the dingiest gay bar in Cincinnati. These essays go a long way toward expanding the narrative about the Rust Belt in that they refute stereotypes, explore a vastly varied series of experiences, and provide a valuable history lesson on industrialism.

March 15, 2018

These 24 essays on life in the Rust Belt appeared previously in Belt Magazine. In this edited collection, Belt Publishing founder Trubek presents a close-up view of the region, with highly personal essays ranging from creative nonfiction to social science research. Subjects include drug addiction, racial segregation, the environment, poverty, health, and more. The tone reflects a grim hopelessness about the fate of people in the Rust Belt, a region that was once a major manufacturing center. The quality of the pieces varies considerably, and some may be discouraged by the lack of focus, as essays meander from one topic to another. A few writings mention disappointment about the efforts to revitalize cities with trendy enclaves but little more. Among the best entries are those that reflect bittersweet nostalgia for the area by those who have emigrated. Other essays express deep resentment toward those who departed, while those who remain face enduring challenges. VERDICT Readers wanting a clear introduction to life in the Rust Belt might want to look for better edited and organized works in the manner of the oral history and photos found in Thomas Dublin's When the Mines Closed.--Charles K. Piehl, Minnesota State Univ., Mankato

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.