'Hillbilly Elegy' becomes a political lightning rod.
As American voters start to learn more about Donald Trump and his vice presidential candidate, it's nearly impossible to avoid his memoir. Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis tells the story of Mr. Vance's upbringing in Ohio to his parents who were from eastern Kentucky. The book was a hit when Trump came to power, but critics say it shows a lack of understanding. Fans are buying the book and watching the movie to see if it shows Mr. Vance as an "everyday" man. The memoir and film adaptation directed by Ron Howard and starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams – which received several Academy Award nominations – may give voters a glimpse of who Mr Vance is. The book has become such a popular talking point online that books site Goodreads blocked new reviews. Review bombing is a growing phenomenon that may be stopped because we've detected unusual behavior that doesn't follow our review guidelines. The film adaptation of Mr. Vance's book was targeted as well. Letterboxd registered an increase in reviews, but it is not all hate. The film made it to the top of the list on the day after Mr Vance's selection was announced.