The End of Tennessee by Rachel M. Hanson is a collection of family stories, some previously published, about Hanson's mother who moved the family from Texas to Kingsport, Tennessee ". . . for Bible school, so she said." Readers are sent into a world of poverty, mental illness, and abuse as Rachel and her growing number of siblings are kept from attending school. On a whim, Rachel is allowed to attend intermittently attend ballet school where other adults come to understand Rachel's dilemma and support when, at 17 years old, she runs away from the family . Hanson captures life in Bible Belt Tennessee and the children who are negatively impacted by their parents' ways and beliefs. Highly recommended for library collections and discussion groups.

This memoir is a bleak look into an abusive childhood. The story develops through vignettes and memories of the author, showcasing the failures of the systems that should be protecting children. Rachel is not allowed to attend school and is forced to take on the caretaker role for many younger siblings, as her mother and father create an environment of purposeful harm and careless neglect. It was a quick read but contains a tremendous amount of pain.

Thanks to NetGalley and the University of South Carolina Press for the opportunity to read and review.

The bravery it takes to lay personal struggles bare is evident on every page. Rachel was deprived of education and was forced to become a caregiver to her younger siblings at an age when she herself needed care and guidance. Her childhood of violence and neglect is heartbreaking. Yet, she preserves and continues to evolve by working through her past and forging a path for her bright future.

Hard to digest. Difficult topic but an important one. Brave storytelling. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I read almost half of this book. It's a sad read, but the part I read was interesting and I wanted to see what happened, but they started throwing in the f-bombs and I stopped reading it.
For this reason I'm giving it 3 stars.