Though my title is harsh, it doesn't compare to the subtle racist and classist innuendo peppering this book. For someone who is prone to Marxist rhetoric, I found it ironic that Ehrenreich fell back on her more comfortable lifestyle in times of need. I think this book could have much better been written by someone who truly has lived the life she is able to pop in and out of. Her book is an exercise in modern day black face. It is entertainment that seemingly mimics reality, but is actually a condescending show of Ehrenreich's privilege, written for those who feel a need to pat themselves on the back for their concern and found understanding of America's working poor.



Editor's note: Blackface is the term used to describe the theatrical makeup used in the United States in minstrel shows and vaudeville, which became associated with certain archetypes of American racism.