Twenty-Five to Life

JulieRiley is two years too young to get out from under her mother's thumb, but she decides to take matters into her own hands and runs away to join the Volksgeist, a loose-knit culture of tramps, hoboes, senior citizens, artists, and never-do-wells who have elected to ride out the end of the world in their campers and converted vans.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 24 August 2021
Publisher: Watkins Media

JulieRiley is trapped in her mother's control, feeling powerless and confined. Despite her education and skills, she is under-employed and disconnected from reality due to her pharma implant. Her only solace is her virtual reality friendship with her best friend, who is part of a colony mission to Proxima Centauri. The world is on the brink of destruction, adding to Julie's sense of urgency. When her mother decides to relocate to the city for work and her new boyfriend, Julie seizes the opportunity to escape. She runs away, seeking refuge with the Volksgeist, a group of unconventional individuals who have chosen to embrace the end of the world in their campers and converted vans, constantly roaming the back roads of America.

Julie's decision to join the Volksgeist is driven by a desire for freedom, adventure, and a sense of belonging. She longs to break free from the constraints of her upbringing and explore the world on her terms. The Volksgeist represents a community of outcasts, misfits, and rebels who have rejected the traditional societal norms and chosen to live life on their own terms. Julie finds solace and support within this group, as they share a common goal of surviving and thriving in the face of uncertainty.

As Julie embarks on her journey with the Volksgeist, she faces numerous challenges and obstacles. She must navigate the treacherous back roads of America, avoiding detection and persecution from the authorities. She also struggles with the emotional toll of leaving her family behind and the loss of her previous life. However, Julie is determined to persevere, driven by her passion for freedom and her desire to create a new life for herself.

Through her experiences with the Volksgeist, Julie learns valuable lessons about resilience, self-discovery, and the importance of community. She discovers her strengths and abilities, and realizes that she has the power to shape her own destiny. Julie also develops deep connections with the other members of the Volksgeist, forming a tight-knit family that offers her love, support, and a sense of belonging.

As the end of the world approaches, Julie and the Volksgeist face a final test. They must come together to defend their community and their way of life from those who seek to destroy it. Julie must use all of her skills and resources to protect her friends and the community she has grown to love.

In the end, Julie emerges as a hero, a symbol of hope and resilience in a world that seems to be falling apart. She has proven that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light and a chance for a new beginning. Julie's journey with the Volksgeist is a testament to the power of human spirit and the strength of community.

Weight: 366g
Dimension: 137 x 214 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780857669209
Edition number: New ed