Two journalists. One house. Three years. One American town.
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“Extraordinarily immersive … formidable.”
—The New York Times
“Good-old-fashioned journalism.”
—GQ
“A unicorn of a series.”
—Bingeworthy
“I could not tear myself away.”
—Lifehacker
CHAPTER 1:
“I’ll die here.”
Jeanne Marie and Erin wander off the highway into Donora, Pennsylvania, a dying town with a dark secret. They decide to buy a house. A solid concrete house. In a neighborhood called Cement City.
CHAPTER 2:
“Just as good as ever.”
Donora has no banks, no gas stations, no grocery stores, no schools. Jeanne Marie and Erin discover the one thing that could bring the town back to life.
CHAPTER 3:
“The skeleton crew.”
It’s gridlock on council and nothing’s getting done. An upcoming election feels like the only ray of hope.
CHAPTER 4:
“Big day in a little town.”
It’s Election Day. A ragtag group of rookies is promising change and looking for a clean sweep. Jeanne Marie sees a potential hero and falls hard.
CHAPTER 5:
“Great societies crumble from within.”
Indictments! Scandal and intrigue! The s***show on council is worse than anyone could have imagined.
CHAPTER 6:
“The island of Donora.”
There’s trouble everywhere. Jeanne Marie and Erin realize what the town has always known: This town isn’t on anyone’s radar. No one is coming in to help.
CHAPTER 7:
“Make sure you take care of Vicki.”
Donora to the rescue!... of itself. Jeanne Marie and Erin discover the intricacies of Donora self-provided, self-maintained, totally improvised safety net.
CHAPTER 8:
“Don’t bitch about the smog.”
Other towns have apples. Or pumpkin festivals. Donora has smog. Mayor Piglet sees this as an opportunity, and Donora is totally transformed — if only for a day.
CHAPTER 9:
“No indictments.”
It’s the general election! Yancey vs. Ed! The future of Donora is on the line, and ballot tampering and election denialism are in the air.
CHAPTER 10:
“A thousand pairs of untied shoes.”
Jeanne Marie and Erin are closing in on a year in Donora. At Twinkle Bright Night they face existential questions: Will the new mayor save council? Is the community college going to come? What’s gonna happen to this town, anyway? But first things first: will Jeanne Marie and Erin ever leave?