Hard times in a hard place

Philipp Meyer’s novel, American Rust, about destiny and desperation in the 21st Century Monongahela Valley of Pennsylvania, has received rave reviews from critics, many of whom see echoes of Steinbeck in Meyer’s work. I’m not so sure about the Steinbeck comparison—I’d lean more toward Faulkner if leaning were required, but Meyer can well stand up for himself. Here’s a book worth reading with some care, by an author we’d like to hear more from.