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The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America

Name: The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America
Price: 18.89 USD
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Rating: 4.3 (395 reviews)

4.3 of 5 Stars: Sociology - The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America

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Book Synopsis: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An acclaimed journalist tries to understand how she escaped her small town in Arkansas while her brilliant friend could not, and, in the process, illuminates the unemployment, drug abuse, sexism, and evangelicalism killing poor, rural white women all over America. “The Forgotten Girls is much more than a memoir; it’s the unflinching story of rural women trying to live in the most rugged, ultra-religious, and left-behind places in America.”—Beth Macy, author of Dopesick

Growing up gifted and working-class poor in the foothills of the Ozarks, Monica and Darci became fast friends. The girls bonded over a shared love of reading and learning, even as they navigated the challenges of their tumultuous family lives and declining town—broken marriages, alcohol abuse, and shuttered stores and factories. They pored over the giant map in their middle-school classroom, tracing their fingers over the world that awaited them, vowing to escape. In the end, Monica left Clinton for college and fulfilled her dreams, but Darci, along with many in their circle of friends, did not.

Years later, working as a journalist covering poverty, Potts discovered what she already intuitively knew about the women in Arkansas: Their life expectancy had dropped steeply—the sharpest such fall in a century. This decline has been attributed to “deaths of despair”—suicide, alcoholism, and drug overdoses—but Potts knew their causes were too complex to identify in a sociological study. She had grown up with these women, and when she saw Darci again, she found that her childhood friend—addicted to drugs, often homeless, a single mother—was now on track to becoming a statistic.

In this gripping narrative, Potts deftly pinpoints the choices that sent her and Darci on such different paths and then widens the lens to explain why those choices are so limited. The Forgotten Girls is a profound, compassionate look at a population in trouble, and a uniquely personal account of the way larger forces, such as inheritance, education, religion, and politics, shape individual lives.

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The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America is a compelling and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the challenges faced by poor, rural white women all across America. As an acclaimed journalist, the author delves into her own journey of escaping her small town in Arkansas and contrasts it with the unfortunate circumstances that befell her brilliant friend. Through this memoir, the author unveils the harsh realities of unemployment, drug abuse, sexism, and evangelicalism that have been silently eroding the lives of these forgotten women.

The Forgotten Girls is more than just a memoir; it is a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of rural women striving to survive in communities that have been largely abandoned. Beth Macy, the author of Dopesick, aptly describes it as "the unflinching story of rural women trying to live in the most rugged, ultra-religious, and left-behind places in America." Join Monica and Darci on their tumultuous journey where they find solace in their love for reading and learning, while facing the hardships of broken marriages, alcohol abuse, and the closure of local businesses.

Immerse yourself in The Forgotten Girls and be transported to the stark reality of the Ozarks foothills. Through the eyes of Monica and Darci, the author brings to life the dreams, hopes, and disappointments of two gifted individuals from working-class backgrounds. Follow their paths as Monica escapes the town to pursue her dreams in college, while Darci and many others in their community are left behind. Their experiences are not just a story but a reflection of the harsh truth of limited opportunities and the consequences that follow.

Potts, as a journalist covering poverty, brings a unique perspective to the plight of these forgotten women. The decline in life expectancy among rural women, attributed to "deaths of despair" like suicide, alcoholism, and drug overdoses, is a shocking reality she uncovers. However, she goes beyond statistics and delves into the complex factors that contribute to such a decline. Potts intertwines personal stories, such as reconnecting with Darci, who has now become a statistic herself, to expose the larger forces at play - inheritance, education, religion, and politics.

Join Monica, Darci, and the countless forgotten women in this profound and compassionate narrative. The Forgotten Girls offers a raw and intimate glimpse into the lives of those who are often overlooked. It's a poignant reminder that individual lives are shaped not only by personal choices but also by the larger socio-economic factors that surround us. Take a step into their world and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by rural women in America.

Ready to embark on this eye-opening journey? Grab your copy of The Forgotten Girls: A Memoir of Friendship and Lost Promise in Rural America here!

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