Book of the Week: Nomadland by Jessica Bruder (Swift Press, spring 2021)

Nomadland starring Frances McDormand and directed by Chloé Zhao, was a hit at the Golden Globes and the BAFTAs and is widely tipped for the Oscars.

The film is based upon Jessica Bruder’s book, which Swift press are publishing for the first time in the UK this spring.

Nomadland is the story a new group of American nomads – older adults. Following the financial crash of 2008, many found their retirement plans in tatters. So they took to the road in their tens of thousands in RVs and modified vans. From the beet fields of North Dakota to the campgrounds of California to Amazon’s CamperForce program in Texas, this growing community of nomads forms a new, low-cost labour pool. Jessica Bruder tells their story.

You can read an interview with Jessica in The Times here and the Big Issue here.

Will Gompertz’s review of the film can be found here.

Rob Wells, one of the people she interviews for her book and one of the non-actors in the film, speaks to the Press Association here.

Nomadland tells a revelatory tale of the dark underbelly of the American economy – one which foreshadows the precarious future that may await many more of us. At the same time, it celebrates the exceptional resilience and creativity of people who have given up ordinary rootedness to survive, but have not given up hope.

The Oscars will be announced on April 25.

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NOMADLAND will premiere on Star on Disney+ on 30th April and will be in cinemas in May.

Live Q&A with Jessica Bruder!

The Watershed Theatre in Bristol will be screening the film from 19 May – 4 June. Jessica will be taking part in a live Q&A at 4 pm on Saturday 22 May at 4 pm, following the screening. Watch this space for more details.

You can buy a copy of the book here: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/nomadland-bafta-best-film-of-2021/9781800750302