Book Review From Rick’s Library: Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder

4 min read
Hi, I’m Rick Barron, your host, and welcome to my podcast, That’s Life, I Swear

They’re out there on almost every city street corner. They’re people with real emotions, unfortunate experiences and needs. Someone decided to treat them with respect. That someone was Dr. Jim O’Connell. Tracy Kidder wrote a book about Jim’s journey on how he entered the world of the homeless and hasn’t looked back.

Let’s jump into this.

Ok, let’s talk about the book

Tracy Kidder's "Rough Sleepers" is a captivating and eye-opening book about the lives of the homeless in America. The book follows the journey of several characters over five years, who live on the streets and follow their journey throughout the book. Each character has their unique story, some having experienced traumatic events, while others have mental illness or addiction.

All of these journeys are shared by Dr. Jim O’Connell, who turned down a fellowship when asked if he would volunteer to help create an organization to bring health care to homeless citizens. Without blinking an eye, he said yes. Little did Jim know that his one year of volunteer work would end up turning into his life’s work. 

Dr. Jim O’Connell checking a homeless person. Courtesy of: Newport Buzz

Kidder’s book unfolds the journey of this inspiring doctor who made a difference, by helping to create a program to care for Boston’s homeless community.

The stories in this book gives a voice to the people often ignored or looked at as insignificant by society and provides insight into why they find themselves in this challenging situation. The book starts with a brief overview of the history of homelessness in America and provides a statistical analysis of current affairs. 

Why does this matter?:

There are several fallacies about homeless people:

1.     Homeless people choose to be homeless: This is a common misconception that ignores the complex social, economic, and personal factors that can contribute to homelessness, such as poverty, mental illness, addiction, and trauma.

2.     Homeless people on the streets are dangerous or unstable: This type of thinking  perpetuates a stereotype that all homeless people are violent, mentally ill, or drug addicts. While some individuals may exhibit such behaviors, it does not represent the entire homeless population.

3.     People who live on the streets don't want medical care: Saying this assumes that homeless people don't want to improve their health or well-being, which is untrue. In addition, homeless people often face significant barriers to accessing medical care, such as lack of transportation, insurance, or money.

4.     Homeless people are a burden on society: This myth ignores the fact that homelessness is a societal issue affecting individuals and communities. Providing homeless people with healthcare and other support services can reduce healthcare costs, emergency room visits, and adverse outcomes.

These fallacies matter because they can lead to stigmatization and discrimination against homeless individuals, further marginalizing them and preventing them from receiving the care and support they need. Therefore, challenging these myths and promoting a more compassionate and understanding approach to homelessness and healthcare is essential.

So, let’s talk about the author 

Tracy Kidder is a well-known and award-winning writer. His writing style is descriptive and engaging, making it easy for the reader to connect with the characters and understand the complexities of their lives.

Author, Tracy Kidder. Courtesy of: Daily New Hampshire Gazette

Some things to know about Tracy Kidder:

1.     Tracy Kidder is an American author and journalist, born November 12, 1945.

2.     He is known for his literary nonfiction works that explore social issues, technology, and human relationships. 

3.     Kidder has won numerous awards for his writing, including the Pulitzer Prize/1982, the National Book Award/1982, and the Robert F. Kennedy Book Award/1989.

4.     Kidder has written several books, including "The Soul of a New Machine," which won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1982. The book is a classic in technology writing and tells the story of a team of engineers at Data General Corporation who were tasked with designing a new computer in the late 1970s. 

The subjects Kidder covers in his books has a wide brush stroke. His books are all characterized by his immersive reporting and his ability to bring complex ideas and situations to life on the page. In addition, he has a passion in writing stories about individuals working to make a positive difference in the world, whether engineers designing cutting-edge technology or doctors working to provide healthcare to the poor.

What drew my interest in reading this book?

What was discovered in reading this book was how Tracy Kidder humanizes the homeless. He does an excellent job of showing the reader that these individuals are not just statistics or problems to be solved but real people with real emotions and experiences. 

He takes the time to understand their backgrounds and the events that led them to where they are today. This makes it easier for the reader to empathize with the characters and see the world from their perspective. The author also shows how people experiencing homelessness are subject to stigma and discrimination, which only makes their situation even more stressful.

Another critical aspect of the book is how it highlights the various challenges the homeless face.

This is where the rubber hits the road about being homeless. Kidder provides an in-depth look at their difficulties in obtaining necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare. He also discusses the obstacles they face in accessing services that could help them get back on their feet, such as mental health services and job training programs. We see how the criminalization of homelessness only worsens the problem, as it forces the homeless into a cycle of arrest and imprisonment, making it even more difficult for them to get back on their feet.

Book Cover. Courtesy of: Amazon

"Rough Sleepers" is not just a book about homelessness but also about hope. The author shows how people like Dr. Jim O’Connell and his organization and individuals across the country, reach out to help the homeless, providing them with food, shelter, someone to listen and talk with, and other essential services. The book calls out that there is hope for the homeless, and that with the right support and resources, they can rebuild their lives, become productive members of society, and regain their dignity.

What can we learn from this story? What's the take away?

Tracy Kidder's "Rough Sleepers" is a powerful and thought-provoking book that provides insight into the lives of the homeless in America. The author's descriptive writing style and ability to humanize the characters makes it an engaging read, while his analysis of the challenges faced by the homeless and the solutions available provides a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about this critical issue. 

This book provides an outline for understanding the complexities of homelessness and its impact on individuals and society. 

Well, there you go. That’s life, I swear.

For further information regarding the material covered in this episode, I invite you to visit my website which you can find on either Apple Podcasts/iTunes or Google Podcasts, for show notes calling out key pieces of content mentioned and the episode transcript.

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