COMMUNION
By JD Vance
Publisher: Harper
The vice president and author of “Hillbilly Elegy” describes how he perceives his faith played a part in his work in public life.
Review by By The Books Reviewer
In "Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith," Vice President J.D. Vance endeavors to chart his spiritual odyssey from Protestantism through atheism to his 2019 conversion to Catholicism. This memoir, positioned as a sequel to his acclaimed "Hillbilly Elegy," aspires to intertwine personal faith with public service. However, the execution is marred by egregious sloppiness, factual inaccuracies, and a disjointed narrative that undermines its intended purpose.
Vance's narrative is riddled with inconsistencies and a lack of critical engagement with complex theological and political issues. His transition from a "Never Trumper" to Donald Trump's vice president is presented as a policy-driven evolution, yet it comes across as opportunistic and unconvincing. The Wall Street Journal's Barton Swaim aptly critiques the book for its "egregious sloppiness" and notes that Vance's shifting blame from individual choices to government policies lacks coherence and depth. ([thedailybeast.com](https://www.thedailybeast.com/vances-new-book-communion-ripped-in-wall-street-journal-review/?utm_source=openai))
The memoir's structure is haphazard, with Vance oscillating between personal anecdotes and political discourse without a clear thematic thread. His reflections on faith are superficial, often resorting to clichéd narratives that fail to provide genuine insight into his spiritual transformation. The Atlantic's review highlights this deficiency, stating that Vance's approach to faith appears more as a political and personal tool than a guide for genuine moral action. ([theatlantic.com](https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/2026/06/jd-vance-communion-faith-trump/687571/?utm_source=openai))
Furthermore, the book's reception has been overwhelmingly negative, with platforms like Goodreads and Amazon suspending reviews due to a surge of critical feedback. This unprecedented move underscores the book's failure to resonate with readers and critics alike. ([thedailybeast.com](https://www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vance-book-so-savaged-that-review-sites-shut-it-down/?utm_source=openai))
In conclusion, "Communion" is a disappointing follow-up to "Hillbilly Elegy." Its lack of depth, coherence, and authenticity renders it a tedious read. Readers seeking a profound exploration of faith and public service would be better served elsewhere.
Recommendation: Not recommended.
written on: 6/25/2026