Hobos, Train Hoppers, Travelers
I’m writing a story about a hobo named Cowboy, a twenty-year-old full of agitation and wanderlust—who leaves behind his turbulent childhood to ride freight trains across the country in the 1980s and 90s. He’s seeking freedom and adventure and finds instead self-destructive cycles of addiction, depression, and prison. The story is inspired by my brother, who self-identifies as a hobo. It’s his label and a badge of honor so I use the word with respect and a nod to its long history and distinct culture.
He’s not talking about hobby hobos like you can watch on YouTube these days. He says, “Those kids are severe amateurs, think they’re real cool and simply out for a thrill. If they keep up what they’re doing, they’ll get a thrill alright, and it might be the last one of their lives. They brag about how they ride trains all over the country and never have any problems, yada yada yada. I’ll put it to you like this, bottom line. They’re asking for trouble. You don’t just hop a train some weekend and become a hobo. I’m here to tell you, riding the rails, living on the fringe, doing what you must to survive is a way of life, and not an easy one.”
I suppose the YouTube kids—they call themselves train-hoppers, travelers, anarcho-punks—like hobos, like the beatniks of the 50s and 60s, are soul searchers, seekers of something they can’t name, spurning society’s expectations, living life their own way.
His experience is more like the hobos from the Great Depression, who sought work between rides and followed the Hobo Code of Conduct.
The story I’m writing—it’s epic and intimate, heartbreaking and infuriating. It’s a picaresque page-turner about a man’s quest for freedom and adventure and then sobriety, redemption, and someone to love, especially himself. It’s also about honesty, forgiveness, and the restorative power of journeys and family.
I think it will appeal to readers of Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, about Christoper McCandless, another lost soul on a journey. I remember reading that book when it come out in 1997 and thinking how similar my brother and Chris were, minus the alcohol addiction. Recently reading Carine McCandless’ follow up memoir, The Wild Truth, confirmed our turbulent childhoods prompted our brothers’ journeys.
Two other books that feel similar to me are both named Cherry, the newer one by Nico Walker, the older one by Mary Karr. While my brother never robbed banks (that I know of!) he did commit all manner of crimes to feed his alcohol addiction and went to prison as Walker did. Mary Karr’s Cherry is a sequel to her autobiography about her childhood, The Liar’s Club, and is her coming of age story full of sex, drugs, conflict with her parents, and a need to escape the small town she grew up in, all very similar to my brother’s quest to find his self.
I appreciate that writing this story has brought my brother and I closer than ever and brings him hope that readers might learn something about themselves while they’re learning about him.
Can’t wait to read!
And I can’t wait to share it! Thanks always for your support!
You are a talent and a blessing to me.
Thanks, Mama, and thanks for alway supporting my ideas and dreams, especially the ones that were unfamiliar and uncomfortable to you.
Can’t wait Dee Ann, a love story of sorts, you and Mitch!
So true, Dave! He’s such an easy guy to love… when he’s sober. So proud of him and the struggles he’s overcome.
So glad you shared a sneak peak into the background of this story. Really fascinating. I am looking forward to reading it!
Thanks, Kim. I always enjoy our conversations about kids and life. Writing this book has been interesting to reflect on how I saw the world as a kid and sibling and how I see it now as an adult, a parent myself, and a sibling.
I’m so proud of my brother Mitch for overcoming all the obstacles life threw at him, and for my sister for taking on this project and telling his story. I can’t wait to read the final !
It’s been a journey for all of us, for sure, and I appreciate your reading and commenting on the early drafts. Fingers crossed it makes it out into the world. At the least, I think it’s been a therapeutic process for all of us.
Interested!
So nice to hear! Thanks for letting me know.
Looking forward to reading this Dee.
Thanks, Kendi! Appreciate hearing from you! Hope you are well.
I would like a copy when your book is published please. Mitch is my nephew. His Dad, Larry, was my brother. Thank you.
Hello Maelyne. I’ll make sure there’s a copy with your name on it, but know it’s years off still. I am revising what I hope is the final draft and then it will need an agent to champion it and a publisher to buy it. Getting a book to a bookstore is a long endeavor, but I am hopeful about this story! Warmly, Dee
His story is interesting. I have heard bits and pieces over the years. He is an amazing person.
He is indeed! Thanks for your interest!
Dee Ann, I remember when you and Mitch were little.
Mitch is really a strong to overcome his addiction. That must have been a tough road.
How sweet of you to honor him in this way.
I know your Mom’s cup runneth over at this time in her life.
Hello Mary! How nice to hear from you. What a wonderful neighbor you and your family were to my grandma Martha! Warmly, Dee Ann
I’m excited to read this
Thanks, Elizabeth! I will need new outfits from Twill for my book launch! 😉
I love following your work and life. Looking forward to your novel.
Thanks, Linda. I think of you always when I have a grammar dilemma! I still remember diagramming sentences in freshman English.
Not only am I excited to read the finished book, I am looking forward to celebrating with you at your first book signing! You are an inspiration Dee.
Thank you, Lori, and thanks for being one of the story’s first readers. Your feedback was so helpful! Fingers crossed I will get that first book signing at the Boulder Bookstore one day!
Oh my gosh Dee, what a wonderful glimpse into Mitch’s life story. I can’t wait to read…..
❤️
Thank you very much for sharing a peek into this book. Mitch is very fortunate to have a family of love and support. We have lost so many good men to addictions they could not overcome. I wish you every success in your endeavor and I’m loving that Mitch being honored by your efforts. Once I met a real hobo picking blueberries in Michigan. A bee stung me on the toe and I was crying. The hobo crossed over to our blueberry rows and spit on on toe!!! He told my mother that tobacco juice would definitely cure me. He had written a song and shared it with me. Unfortunately I lost the words and the music. A big regret to this day.
Love your story, Dee, about meeting the hobo when you were a child. I’d say Mitch was a “real” hobo, too, one of the last of the old-timers as the culture has changed since he was riding in the 1980s.
Thanks for the preview and the background. I’m really excited to read! xoxo Caroline