“American Rust” is a novel set in a fictional town in Pennsylvania, and it explores the struggles of survival and financial decline, as well as intricate familial and friendship relationships. The novel sets up the plot with the information that the steel mill of the town, the main source of income for most of the families, has been closed, and builds on that fact focusing on the two main characters, Billy and Isaac, who are longtime friends.
Billy and Isaac find themselves in quite a fickle after Billy murders a homeless man, after a group of them tried to assault the two friends. They decide to keep quiet and try to hide the evidence of their involvement in the ordeal, with the help of the town’s police officer, who has an emotional attachment to Billy’s son. The novel explores the perspectives of the two friends in the aftermath: Billy’s refusal to reveal that Isaac was involved after getting arrested, and Isaac’s escape from the small town for personal growth.
The novel delves deep into the lives of those left in the town, exploring the effects of the economic depression and lack of job opportunities. It highlights the struggle of those in the community to keep up with their everyday lives, as the financial hardships take their toll on the characters and the town. The townspeople's struggle to survive, and their relationships with each other, are explored as the story progresses.
Isaac and Billy's relationship is also explored in the novel, as their friendship is tested by the events that follow. Despite their differences (Billy is a working-class hero while Isaac is an aspiring inventor) they remain loyal to each other, and the novel highlights their resilience in the face of adversity.
It was published in 2009 and was translated in a lot of languages. It served as a base for the newly released TV-show with the same title.
The novel has been a major success, with readers praising the authors for their depiction of the characters and the town, as well as their ability to capture the struggles of the people. Critics have noted that the novel is a powerful work, capturing the beauty of the small town and the struggles of the people in it. It has been lauded for its exploration of the psychological effects of economic depression, as well as its examination of the importance of loyalty, love, and friendship in a time of hardship. American Rust is a must-read for those interested in exploring the human condition in times of economic decline.
