Matthew Desmond

[4.25] When a nonfiction work is crowned “important,” it can sometimes imply that it is overly scholarly, inaccessible and “dry.” Not so with Desmond’s Pulitzer Prize-winning deep-dive into our nation’s eviction crisis.

The author performed exhaustive field work, gaining the confidence of both tenants and landlords. His investigative journey has unearthed new layers of poverty journalism, exploring a number of thorny societal issues by telling the gripping and oftentimes heartbreaking stories of eight families. The issue of affordable housing is even more pressing now than it was a decade ago when Desmond was finalizing his research into the causes nd devastating impacts of residential instability. He concludes that the eviction crisis in the U.S. is widely underestimated for a variety of reasons.

Having lived in Milwaukee for five years in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s as a college student and young radio reporter, I was able to connect with “Evicted” on a geographic level — albeit not on a socioeconomic tier. Desmond writes that Milwaukee “a fairly typical” metro area better suited to represent the experiences of city dwellers than many other communities.

My one issue with “Evicted” is that the author’s efforts to include a diverse mix of lifestyle scenarios made it a bit difficult to keep track of all the characters’ unique situations. I wondered if the book would have been more “digestible” had Desmond pared down his narrative to focus on four or five living situations. Then again, such a strategy might have left out key themes.

Some have understandably faulted Desmond for not placing enough responsibility on the “damaging decisions” made by some individuals that triggered their repeated evictions. They argue that providing housing vouchers to renters won’t necessarily solve their crises if the cycles of questionable life choices remain addressed. They do have a point that Desmond’s work seems to place all or most of the blame on the housing rental industry, governmental actions and the judicial system.

Still, this riveting book documents how many hard-working and well-intentioned people are living lives of misery as a result of the eviction crisis. His prescriptions for easing the crisis might be incomplete or inadequate, but his “important” book graphically red flags the need for more research and new strategies to address the “sociology of displacement."… (altro)

Desmond knows poverty and is not content to simply describe it. In this short book he inquires as to why poverty exists in the richest nation in the world. His argument and evidence is convincing: poverty in America exists and is increasing because we have contented ourself with government and economic structures which benefit the wealthier at the expense of the poorer. Desmond also offers suggestions on how to begin to reform our systems to make it possible for working people to lift out of poverty. All this in under 300 pages (about a third of the book is footnotes and other apparatus).… (altro)

This book touched on a lot of great points pushing the reader to take action against poverty. I do think it is unrealistic of a goal to put mind into our purchases as corporations have consolidated but there are definitely other strategies outlined in the book that make sense. I found parts of the book almost textbook repetitive. It is clear the author is passionate about this topic. I don't think it's a book I could recommend to many people because of it. But I could definitely bring up concepts that I have taken away from the book.… (altro)

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5326809308

A stunning critique of our systems and how we allow, and benefit from, their designed system of taking from the poor to prop up the rich. Those with experience growing up in poverty and working with the impoverished will find much to be furious about, and just as much to be inspired by.

I wrote a longer review / reflection with my thoughts on the book from the perspective of someone who has worked on homelessness for some years here: https://www.thomasbates.info/field-notes/book-review-poverty-by-america… (altro)