Jack Conroy (1899–1990)

Conroy's autobiographical, highly episodic novel succeeds on a number of fronts. First, its depiction of the details of the soul-sapping jobs men were asked to do to earn enough money to poorly feed and clothe their families is detailed and frightening. It all rings true, because the author did all these jobs himself, whether it was laying bricks to build a highway or working at a rubber shoe heel factory. If (like me), you've been lucky to work with your brain and never your body, you'll gain a better appreciation for what it took. While the book has no overarching narrative force--its protagonist moves from place to place seeking work after leaving the Missouri coal mining community he grew up in--the interest of the narrative and the good writing make this a compelling read. This is no literary masterpiece like Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath, but it probably tells a much better story of the experience of an intelligent, outward-looking man who is fighting to overcome his origins from the days before World War I until the Great Depression. Most of the characters are tragic. There is much pain here, but some manage to endure. Definitely recommended, but save the overly academic introduction and Conroy's own introduction until after you read the book.… (meer)