Inspired by the legend of Johnny Appleseed, Fitzgerald (Dirtbag, 2022) sets out to follow John Chapman’s famous trail from Massachusetts to Indiana. What begins as a walk evolves in unexpected ways as Fitzgerald makes his way west. From the outset, the “trail” proves largely symbolic, more highway than marked path. While Appleseed’s story provides the framework, Fitzgerald’s deeper focus becomes America itself. Through the lens of westward expansion, he examines the displacement of Indigenous peoples and the ways capitalism and nostalgia have softened harsh histories into marketable legends. Traveling along train tracks, through small towns, and down rivers, Fitzgerald also reflects on the rituals of walking, prayer, and the occasional drink as a means of reckoning with inherited narratives. He candidly exposes the tension between myth and reality, revealing how history is often transformed into myths, complete with heroes. As he observes, “Like all things human, history is flawed, and forgetful, and at times overly optimistic.” American Rambler ultimately becomes less about retracing one legendary man’s footsteps and more about examining the ground beneath them.
Review Publication: Booklist