Back when I watched the film adaptation of Jessica Bruder’s novel Nomadland, I really ended up liking it a lot. In fact, I was so taken by it that I was a little shocked when my cousin told me she didn’t enjoy it! She recommend that I read Bruder’s novel to see what I was missing, so that’s what I did.
Let me preface by saying that I almost never read non-fiction, and that’s for a reason. I generally don’t like it. There are very few real life stories that I can connect with an find entertaining. This was one of the ones that just didn’t strike a cord with me. I think what confused me most is why Bruder’s book wasn’t supplemented with a documentary? I think that would have made the somewhat fictionalized film obsolete and it could have made the subject matter more interesting. In my opinion, of course. I just felt like this topic specifically could have benefited from visualization rather than just words on a page.
In my mind, that is what the film set out to do, especially because they ended up getting good handful of the nomads Bruder spent time with in the film itself. Sure, Chloe Zhao ended up taking certain bits and pieces from the nomads’ lives to make up Frances McDormand’s fictionalized character, but that didn’t really take away from what actually happened to these people. Part of me does feel for Linda though. Most of the book was spent talking about her life in detail, where she’s just a peripheral character in the film. Still, her story got told in one way or another.
I know the biggest gripe people had with the film was this glossy outlook it gave to nomadic living. It’s not all friendship and beautiful scenery. Times get tough with the weather, finding someplace to park, resources, and the seriously hard labor these older folk are subjected to. In fact, many people in the novel get rather seriously injured. And for very little pay! That’s what really sucks. These people work harder than a lot of people would ever dream of now (myself included) and they are getting paid a pittance, and treated almost the same. The difference between the nomadic generation and younger folk, is that they are grateful for literally anything.
That’s certainly a lesson that could be taken away, especially to the more entitled youth. Again, this is my opinion, and you’re certainly allowed to have yours. It’s a dirty shame that the economy kicks hard-working individuals while they’re down, and especially because of something they can not control! As wistful as that nomadic life seemed at times, I don’t wish it for myself, but if it makes some more happy, then more power to them! Hopefully this book can shine a light on the poor working conditions set forth by Amazon and others, but I’m sure most will be looking to the movie instead. In my mind though, both versions of this story are eye-opening and entertaining, so check them out!