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Nomadland

Surviving America in the Twenty-first Century
Aug 30, 2018PimaLib_NormS rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Hitting the open road seems like such an American thing to do. But, being on the road permanently? Living in a vehicle? Nah, not for this American. However, there are people doing exactly that, either by choice, or out of necessity, and Jessica Bruder has written a book about them called “Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century”. For some, it is temporary (they hope), while others enjoy the freedom of not being tied to a house, or family, or a job. Many of these nomads refer to themselves as “workampers”, meaning they camp in their RVs or vans or vehicles, and they find transitory employment in the area. A good number of them work seasonally in the processing facilities of a certain ginormous online retailer. The jobs there, for the most part, sound terrible - hard work for little pay. One could wonder why they subject themselves to it. For those not independently wealthy, and few of these American nomads are, it can be a matter of survival, so they will do whatever they have to do. I was somewhat surprised at the sense of community that these folks have. Sure, there are lone wolves traveling the country, seeking solitude. But, for those wanting to be a part of an informal tribe, there are regularly scheduled gatherings publicized online and on social media, and by word of mouth. “Nomadland” peels back the layers of this sub-culture, exposing a way of life that is mostly unseen, but not in hiding.