*Cementville* by Paulette Livers is a novel set in a small, declining American town called Cementville, which is struggling to survive amidst economic hardship and environmental degradation. The story revolves around a group of characters whose lives are intertwined by their shared experiences in this community. The narrative explores themes of family, resilience, and the impact of industrialization on personal and communal identity. Through vivid storytelling, Livers provides a poignant look at how people cope with change and the effects of societal shifts on their lives.

This is an extremely richly layered novel that brings the reader to the heart of Kentucky at a very tumultous time: during the Vietnam war, when several young men are brought back to the tiny town of Cementville in body bags, and those that come back alive - a draft dodger and two discharged soldiers, struggle to find their way. There are a multitude of characters and the story is told from altnernating perspectives, enabling the reader to understand and get to town the characters that are most enigmatic even to their own neighbors. I loved reading this book, and found it hard to put down.