41 pages • 1 hour read
Methland
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Book Brief
288
Book • Nonfiction
Iowa • 2000s
2009
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Methland: The Death and Life of a Small American Town by Nick Reding is a nonfiction book chronicling the meth epidemic in Oelwein, Iowa, and its impact on rural America. The book blends sociology, economics, memoir, and history, detailing how corporate greed, pharmaceutical lobbying, and flawed immigration policies exacerbate the crisis. Reding uses personal stories of locals like Mayor Larry Murphy and prosecutor Nathan Lein to illustrate the human cost of meth addiction, ultimately offering a perspective that holds some hope for resolving the issue. The book includes detailed accounts of violence, addiction, and disfigurement.
Informative
Dark
Unnerving
Gritty
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
7,343 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nick Reding's Methland delves into the methamphetamine crisis affecting rural America, with Oelwein, Iowa, as a focal point. Reviews praise its in-depth research and compelling narrative that humanizes the epidemic's impact. However, some criticize its occasional overgeneralization and lack of broader socioeconomic analysis. Overall, it's a gripping, though sometimes narrow, exploration of a national tragedy.
Who Should Read Methland?
Readers who appreciate sociological investigations and narratives on America's rural struggles will find Methland compelling. Comparable to Hillbilly Elegy and Evicted, this book appeals to those interested in the intersection of public health, economics, and community in small-town America.
7,343 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Clay Hallberg
Clay Hallberg
Clay is a doctor in Oelwein struggling with alcohol addiction while treating patients affected by meth, representing the toll the epidemic takes on healthcare workers.
Roland Jarvis
Roland Jarvis
Roland is a meth addict who has been seriously injured in a lab explosion, highlighting the dangerous consequences of meth production and use.
Nathan Lein
Nathan Lein
Nathan is a prosecutor who juggles his legal responsibilities with personal empathy for the addicts he often has to prosecute.
Larry Murphy
Larry Murphy
Larry is the Mayor of Oelwein, working to revitalize the town and address the meth crisis despite limited resources and support.
Buck
Buck
Buck is a young child born with meth exposure, symbolizing the intergenerational effects of drug addiction on families and future generations.
288
Book • Nonfiction
Iowa • 2000s
2009
Adult
18+ years
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