I’m behind on my review schedule. This past Tuesday, I was supposed to post my review for the paperback edition of Dying of Whiteness by Jonathan Metzl from Basic Books. I bought the hardcover earlier this year, and it sat on my to be read pile. When I saw the chance to review the paperback version, I jumped on it. I’ve been enjoying a lot of Basic Books offerings, and their streak continues with Dying of Whiteness. The reason that I’m behind on my review schedule is because I love this book. I’ve got the first draft of the review done. Now, I’m going back and picking quotes out from the hardcover edition, except I end up reading the portion of the book that I’m trying to quote. This has happened more than once. But I’m buckling down and going to finish the review this weekend, just in time for the paperback release on May 12^th, 2020. Sorry, Dr. Metzl. Sorry, Basic Books. Here’s a little spoiler for the review: I loved it.

This controversial book is a can’t miss. The fact that my home state of Missouri is featured prominently in it isn’t a good thing. Reading this book so close to Sarah Kendzior’s Hiding in Plain Sight is a real eye opener about the state of Missouri. Metzl is from Missouri, though the other side of the state from Kendzior’s current home. Where Kendzior’s book is part memoir, Metzl’s focuses on the residents solely. Like Kendzior, Metzl treats the people of these states, the people of ‘flyover country,’ with compassion. You can tell he’s concerned about their safety and well being from the text. Also like Kendzior’s book, I highly recommend Dying of Whiteness to anyone and everyone.