Maddie’s Reviews > State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America – Essays on American Culture and Character by Acclaimed Writers > Status Update

It is actually a bit insane how stacked the authors for this anthology are. Christina Henriquez?! When we already had Jhumpa Lahiri and Louise Erdrich?! Bonus Sarah Vowell and Anthony Bourdain?! Gah what a collection.

Incredibly impressive essay about Nebraska (namely Omaha, but even the author understands that Omaha is different from the rest of the state). The vibes were immaculate and well articulated. I think it's an excellent portrait of the state and the appreciation for a supposed "flyover"/traveling through state.

We really couldn't do any better for Kansas than some guy visiting a bar in Wichita? The only poignant point was "I can visit anytime I want and it will remain the same", which is true but felt derogatory for this essay rather than complementary.

Finally made it to Kansas but now I'm too sleepy to read it

Alright the Colorado essay caught a vibe. I appreciate our author actually hailed from the state so they could write about it honestly and naturally. I think they would be aghast at the current Colorado culture though lol

Wow! These essays are truly great representations of their states. California's essay, for example, is full of itself.

I will also be very critical of the Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska essays, for the record.

Finally remembered to read this book around the 4th of July during a year where I'm (way) ahead on my reading challenge 🙌