As Ohio Senator JD Vance steps into the national spotlight as Donald Trump's vice-presidential candidate, his memoir "Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis" has become a contentious subject. Published in 2016, the book provides a glimpse into Vance's Appalachian upbringing and the challenges faced by the impoverished in rural areas, including his home state of Ohio.

However, the memoir has faced both praise and criticism since its publication, sparking debates about Vance's understanding of the region and its people. Critics argue that the book demonstrates a lack of comprehension of the complexities of life in Appalachia, while others assert that it offers valuable insights into the struggles faced by the poor.

Despite the contrasting opinions, supporters of Vance are drawn to the memoir, viewing it as a reflection of his relatability as an everyday man. The book's popularity has surged, with readers purchasing it in significant numbers and seeking out its movie adaptation, which received multiple Academy Award nominations.

The attention on "Hillbilly Elegy" has grown to such an extent that the popular book recommendation platform, Goodreads, took measures to block new reviews after Trump chose Vance as his running mate. This move was likely intended to prevent review bombing, a practice where individuals leave negative reviews unrelated to the content itself. Goodreads declined to comment on the decision.

Review bombing, commonly seen in the online era, has been employed to express dissatisfaction with various products, places, or individuals. Last year, even bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert faced this phenomenon after readers accused her of "glorifying" Russians in her book, prompting her to pause publication.

Not only has Vance's book faced online criticism, but the movie adaptation of "Hillbilly Elegy," directed by Ron Howard and featuring Glenn Close and Amy Adams, also attracted its share of negative attention. Letterboxd, a platform similar to Goodreads but for movies, experienced an increase in reviews for the film.

Despite the controversy surrounding the memoir and its film adaptation, both versions have seen significant success. Currently, the book holds the top two positions in Amazon's best-selling books, with the movie reaching the sixth spot on Netflix's top 10 movies after Vance's vice-presidential nomination was announced.

While "Hillbilly Elegy" reveals Vance's upbringing, its publication marked the beginning of his political career. The best-selling memoir propelled Vance to national recognition and ultimately helped him secure a seat as an Ohio senator. Now, less than two years later, he stands as the Republican vice-presidential nominee.

In addition to the attention on Vance's memoir, concerns have been raised over his repeated criticism of US aid to Ukraine. Diplomats and politicians express unease about his stance on this matter, which adds another layer of scrutiny to his vice-presidential candidacy.

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, JD Vance finds himself at the center of a swirling storm of opinions surrounding his memoir, "Hillbilly Elegy." With criticisms and accolades battling it out, it remains to be seen how the book will impact his political career and resonate with American voters.