Mill Town: Reckoning with What Remains

In Mill Town [Kerri] Arsenault pays loving homage to her family s tight-knit Maine town even as she examines the cancers that have stricken so many residents. Kerri Arsenault is both a graceful writer and a grieving daughter in search of answers and ultimately, justice. She grew up in the rural working-class town of Mexico, Maine, where the community orbited around a paper mill for over 100 years. Years after she moved away, Arsenault realized the price she paid for her seemingly secure childhood. Mill Town is a personal investigation that asks, Whose lives are we willing to sacrifice for our own survival?

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 07 September 2021
Publisher: St Martin's Press

In the heart of Mill Town, nestled amidst the rolling hills of Maine, Kerri Arsenault pays a heartfelt tribute to her family's tight-knit community, while also delving into the tragic cancers that have afflicted many of its residents. The New York Times Book Review praises Mill Town as a powerful, blistering, and devastating work, showcasing Arsenault's remarkable talent as both a graceful writer and a grieving daughter on a quest for answers and ultimately, justice.

Through the lens of her hometown, Arsenault raises essential and timely questions that shed light on the complexities of life, community, and the devastating impact of industrialization. Growing up in the rural working-class town of Mexico, Maine, Arsenault witnessed firsthand the profound influence of a paper mill that had been the center of the community for over a century. While the mill provided employment opportunities for nearly everyone, including three generations of Arsenault's own family, it also contributed to the destruction of the environment and the gradual decline of the town's economic, physical, and emotional well-being. This slow-moving catastrophe earned the area the unfortunate nickname Cancer Valley.

In Mill Town, Arsenault embarks on a personal investigation, combing through historical archives, scientific reports, and heartfelt conversations with family and neighbors. She delves into her own childhood, seeking to unravel the threads that connect the rise and collapse of the working class, the hazards of loving and leaving home, and the enigmatic nature of toxins and disease. Arsenault's writing is a testament to her unwavering dedication to uncovering the truth, as she weaves together a narrative that is both poignant and informative.

Through her exploration, Arsenault challenges readers to confront the moral dilemmas that arise when survival is pitted against the well-being of others. She asks us to consider the sacrifices we are willing to make in the name of our own prosperity and to reckon with the unintended consequences of our actions. Mill Town serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our lives and the profound impact of our choices on the world around us. It is a moral wake-up call that urges us to reflect on the values that guide our actions and to work towards a future where the health and well-being of communities are prioritized above all else.

Weight: 332g
Dimension: 139 x 211 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781250799685