Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City

Harvard sociologist Matthew Desmond’s newest book Evicted chronicles the lives of a few poverty-stricken Milwaukeeans, desperate to keep from living on the street. While homeless, frostbite claimed both of Lamar’s legs, leaving him unable to find a regular job to pay for rent. Arleen is turned away by countless landlords who view her children as a liability. Since losing his nursing license because of his stealing opioids from patients, Scott, who continues to battle with drug addiction, is at risk of eviction. These stories and more make up Desmond’s striking book.

To capture an honest look at destitution, particularly the deep scars caused by eviction, Desmond spent a year working as a full-time fieldworker, moving into a trailer park and later a ghetto, conducting interviews and taking detailed notes of his observations. Supported by extensive research, Evicted is a fair examination of the general housing problem in America. Although readers may find it challenging to keep intertwining stories straight, Desmond has a remarkable aptitude for reporting dialogue, reminding readers that the people in his book are real and that the stakes are tragically high as they face possible eviction. Desmond’s heart is evident in his thoughtful writing, and in his closing essay, his call for change is inspiring.