Reviews

Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder

vasmaya's review

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emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

davechua's review against another edition

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4.0

The book that inspired the movie is quite a different creature. It studies an America where many have chosen to live in RVs or caravans, becoming modern nomads. Bruder focuses on a few characters and their experiences, and even tries the #vanlife on her own. There are some insights, particularly how Amazon, which offers jobs during the holiday season, has helped provide jobs to this nomadic workforce.

Highly recommended.

evaward's review against another edition

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5.0

That van life, but less Instagram.

ppetra1020's review against another edition

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emotional informative reflective sad medium-paced

4.5

ezuna2011's review

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informative medium-paced

4.0

mtnmama's review against another edition

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4.0

Fascinating look at the culture of people living a modern nomadic life.

maddayd's review against another edition

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4.0

This book reinforced my perspective of Amazon. It can be tough to read because it’s heavy to think about the problems of capitalism. Worth the read. I only wish it had a happier and more cumulative ending.

jenna_schauer's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

3.75

garatandhi's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

4.5

I am never not going to buy a book about American subcultures and this was so beautifully written

tlcollier1's review against another edition

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4.0

I nearly stopped reading in the first chapter but I’m glad I didn’t. It felt like the author was only supporting her own conclusions, not investigating the situation, from the start. And the conclusions seemed that I needed to agree, everything is bad. Very bad and inequitable. And too late to repair. And someone needs to fix it but it’s certainly not the fault of anyone living this experience.
Over time I think the sentiment mellowed or I stopped caring. What I did care about was the people and maybe that was the point after all.
It seems as though several of the folks in tough situations had the opportunity to not be nomads, by preparing better for their future. But overwhelming they hit hard times and van dwelling became their best option.
Throughout I was looking for the “sign me up” button.