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The Happy Nomad

Live with Less and Find What Really Matters

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The Happy Nomad

By: Charlotte Bradman
Narrated by: Charlotte Bradman
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About this listen



'A gripping, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking account of how one woman lost everything and how, by stepping off the path, she found her way.'' - Ben Fogle, writer and presenter

'Proof that water in the form of driving rain, wild river, icy lake, or turquoise ocean can build back a body, mend a tattered mind, heal a broken heart, and soothe a weary soul.' - Dr Wallace J Nichols, marine biologist and author of Blue Mind

'Extraordinary . . . a glimpse into a future of endless possibility.' - Martin Dorey, travel writer

'This book is tremendous. A book that takes you to places of real sadness and trauma. But also to the freedom and joy of saying no to stuff and debt, and hello to the open road with a joy and delight in life and people that enchants. With a dash of politics along the way, The Happy Nomad makes you really think about what it means to truly live rather than just have. And to ask what, really, does home mean to us as individuals. A wonderful, evocative, thoughtful delight of a book.' - Peg Alexander, Broadcaster, Journalist, Presenter


A truly inspirational memoir for anyone who dreams of leading a different life.

Vivid, self-confessional and darkly humorous, The Happy Nomad is the story of how Charlotte Bradman breaks free from her turbulent past, mounting debts and the nine-to-five treadmill, and finds a simpler way of life living full-time in her beloved campervan. Freed from the burden of a thirty-year-old boiler on the edge, temperamental ceilings that don't like heights, and letterboxes that mercilessly allow bills and arrest warrants through, Charlotte finds joy in a life lived closer to nature. Stripped back to the very basics, no longer weighed down by material possessions, she discovers the precious gift of time, enabling her to connect with both herself and the people she meets, and to re-evaluate what it truly means to thrive.

The Happy Nomad is a gripping account of how one woman lost her house and found peace and contentment in her campervan home.

©2024 Charlotte Bradman (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited
Personal Development Personal Success Sustainable & Green Living Witty Heartfelt

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Beautifully written, well read and truly inspiring. I could listen to Charlotte telling her stories all day! I was lucky enough to have worked alongside Charlotte, she really is an amazing person. We still miss her! Congratulations on getting your story published Charlotte. You deserve to be where you want to be, and to be happy. xx

inspirational

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loved this book, I feel so connected to the story, lots to think about, I can't get over people paying to swim in the sea. our world is bonkers. I will be living a more free life from now on with less things I can see the appeal. thank you for writing this book.

living for the moment

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Beautifully read by the author. What a life story! Yes, some of it is hard to listen to, but life is sometimes hard. The joy in this book far outweighs the hard parts. Really highlights that life is for living.

Inspirational

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Very inspiring, very raw and really enjoyable to read. I’ve bought this book for my daughter to read when she’s older so she will know “there’s other options in life”. Thank you for this book

Authentic

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This is beautifully written and beautifully narrated. The author has amazing story telling talent!
However! If you, the listener, are hoping for a relaxing (mainly) upbeat story of happy nomadic life after breaking away from trouble and hardship, then be warned! The vast majority of this book is made up of the author retelling terrible traumatic life events, one after another. She has endured more than any one person should ever have to cope with and is an absolute beacon of hope, grit and determination - but this is not an easy listen. It’s heart breaking in places.
I have a couple of hours left of the audiobook and am so saddened, frustrated and annoyed by what she’s had to endure, and what continues to go wrong, that I don’t think I’ll finish it. Or at least I will need to leave it and come back to it.
I think the title ‘The hard road towards becoming a happy nomad’ would’ve been better - though not as catchy.
The writing and story telling talent and narration is 10 out of 10!
Wonderful, worthy of all success and I so hope the author is thriving. She had me rooting for her at every turn.
If you’re looking for a happy escape into an easy listen, this is not it.



Beautifully written

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I didnt enjoy the first half at all. was looking for a moving story or someone who thinks differently but it all felt a bit self-conscious, insincere and kind of basic. I didn't warm to the author much either. Stories from her life are told with an insincere approach, lots of trauma Olympics type stuff (despite her childhood description paling in comparison to many tales of childhood trauma), the reflections about life and meaning were a bit obvious and not that deep and on a personal level, the author seemed to think lying is okay and manipulation, as she refers casually to times she has done this in the past with no self-awareness. E.g. lying to get a paddle board instructor job, taking advantage of the man who fixed her van engine's time for four months only to sell the vehicle. She also makes a joke about an art installation involving trapping an epileptic in a box with strobing lights. my best friend died from a fatal epileptic fit and this is just not funny, and not okay. The book got better when she talks ahout meeting Warren. that was quite good, even if she does paint herself as his saviour in a bit of an obvious way (the book feels very 'Look at me I'm a Good Person, which frequently irriated me). I wanted to hear more about the second half of the walk with Warren but that was never told - maybe it didnt happen... The book was pretty scattered with many parts glossed over, and not in a privacy way but it felt more like a shoehorned way. Overall, I generally love alternative living and memoirs, but this book was not sincere enough for me, I didn't gel with the author's mindset, and she hasn't done van life for that long (2 years) so it lacked the depth and grit I was looking for. The book was an ok way to pass a few hours but I wanted something with more rawness, depth and sincerity.

ok

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This is the only book i have ever bothered to leave a review! I felt I had to! It was so engaging and I woke up 3 days in a row looking forward to listen to it. I really do hope there is more from Charlotte! She makes you realise that everything happens for a reason and having less is actually more. So glad she read it too, Iam local to her area and I understood all the banter and local sayings! Also this is the first book I have finished listening to, never did I get bored! Thank you Charlotte, so glad I seen her book on the cobbled streets of Howarth!

Didn’t want it to end!

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brilliant, inspiration, hope, humor, real . a story every woman should read. only because out culture, money makers from women as home makers, I live the statement everywhere is home, also reducing stuff fees you from stuff, brilliant. this book is a true gem

true grit and determination, amazing story

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This is an incredibly interesting, inspiring, humorous, warm and well written story! I loved every single part of this book. It was brilliantly narratedby the wonderful author Charlotte.
Its a story that really gets you thinking about life, decisions we make and the joy of van life! This book has something for everyone! I'm sad it's over. Happy to have used a credit on it. Credit well spent. Hope Charlotte writes other things.

A great story of a weird, wonderful, crazy life lived. Also lots of van life stuff!

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In my view, this book will become a classic. It has everything you want in a book. Raw emotions, as well as plenty of laughter to balance it all, but also gives you a lot of hope and practical ideas!
I felt bereft as I finished it, so started it all over again, straight away!
I am also gifting it to people who I know will love it too!
A brilliant read and for me, there aren't enough stars!

A firm favourite and one of my "Desert Island " books 👌👌👌

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