kayote reviewed Done and been by Gypsy Moon.
Review of 'Done and been' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
This feels more like a celebration of hobo'ing than an actual chronicle or history, given the little bit the author spends on the negative aspects and impacts (both to the hobos and to the communities). I will say, it is convinient that if you define hobo as "migrant worker" then you can define anyone who doesn't want to work as "not a hobo". The individual stories are a fascinating look into the subculture as seen/remembered by those involved.
If you read the individual memories, though, it becomes clear there was some simplification and rose-colored glasses placed on the first summary section, and probably the stories told by those still involved who want to be seen as "good guys" (vs the bums who don't/can't work).
I did not know that around the depression they were the migrant farm workers in the midwest--before everything was mechanized. Nor that some of them at …
This feels more like a celebration of hobo'ing than an actual chronicle or history, given the little bit the author spends on the negative aspects and impacts (both to the hobos and to the communities). I will say, it is convinient that if you define hobo as "migrant worker" then you can define anyone who doesn't want to work as "not a hobo". The individual stories are a fascinating look into the subculture as seen/remembered by those involved.
If you read the individual memories, though, it becomes clear there was some simplification and rose-colored glasses placed on the first summary section, and probably the stories told by those still involved who want to be seen as "good guys" (vs the bums who don't/can't work).
I did not know that around the depression they were the migrant farm workers in the midwest--before everything was mechanized. Nor that some of them at least were skilled workers who just went from place to place and stayed til they decided to roam again or the seasons changed.
Were there women or just a couple? Were they safe? Were younger teens mentored or abused by older hobos? Did hobos only work except in dire straits (well, they all talk about asking for handouts at businesses, though often for stuff heading to the garbage, so that's still a toss up.). The truth is probably stronger in the individual stories than in the pancea to hobo life by the author at the start.
It's important history to have recorded, but her interpertation of it has some rose colored gloss applied, as well as being a bit repetative.