Eviction: Poverty and Profit in the American City

Matthew Desmond

Meira.Elena

Ages: College+

Lexile: 1010L-1200L

 

In Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City, American sociologist Matthew Desmond follows eight families living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as they face the challenges of living in poverty in the early 21^st century. A fascinating dive into one of today’s most prevalent challenges, Desmond reveals the truth of poverty and the economic exploitation of those living in poverty, making their experiences understandable and accessible to a more privileged audience. It’s no wonder this book won a Pulitzer!

 

Desmond follows eight families: Arleen and her two boys; Lamar and his boys; Larraine; Pam and Ned; the Hinkstons; Scott and Teddy; Sherena and Quentin; and Crystal. Each family has their own definition of family, their own challenges and histories, their own hopes and dreams. What all these families have in common is their poverty—their struggle to put food on the table, pay the rent, find good jobs, and maintain stable homes for their children to grow and develop. Each chapter reads like a narrative, with invigorating sociological research to provide context to each character’s story.

This is one of the most important books I have ever read. I was ashamed and astonished at how little I understood poverty and the daily struggles those living in poverty must deal with. The very fact that these people can’t trust their landlords, social workers, bosses, extended families, or even churches to support them as human beings reveals the true isolation they face even as they are surrounded by a city facing the same struggles they do. Well-written, educational, enticing, and emotional, this novel is fantastic and a must-read for everyone!

          In today’s society, as we bandy back-and-forth terms like “privilege”, “poverty”, “wage-gap”, “minimum wage” and “poverty line”, it is even more vital for those of us who are fortunate enough to live in economic security to take the time to step into the shoes of those without our stability and understand exactly what they need to survive and what we need to do and change to make that happen.

I recommend this novel for everyone, but especially those going into politics, policymaking, social work, education, sociology, and anthropology. This book will change the way you view America!