BKMT READING GUIDES
Robber's Roost
by Guyanne Booth
Hardcover : 408 pages
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Introduction
“In Robber's Roost, Guyanne Booth has written a classic Western novel, complete with captivating frontier characters, suspense, action and a passel of enjoyable reading!” - Phil Spangenberger, Field Editor, True West Magazine; Western Historian Provocative, funny, and spirited, Robber's Roost chronicles the journey of a merry band of characters, devoted to self-gratification and the pursuit of pleasure. What they ultimately find is that hard work, honesty, and a little luck provide salvation and self-respect in a society where evil, mystery and murder are common-place. Robber's Roost introduces us to a delightfully insufferable pair of ne'er-do-wells, Larken Blakemore and Emmy Ferrell. Accomplished in the social graces of New Orleans casino life in the 1860s, these two spoiled descendants of wealthy Louisiana families abandon their lavishly decadent lifestyle for the rough forbidding cliffs of Utah's Robber's Roost. When Larken, Emmy and their faithful companions stumble into the notorious outlaw hideout, they discover much to their dismay, they have more in common with the outlaws than they dare admit. Readers will find an epic story where the genteel South meets the rough West with a sense of humor, intrigue and unexpected romance all in a place called Robber's Roost.
Excerpt
The sun descending in the West,The evening star does shine;
The birds are silent in their nest;
And I must seek for mine.
William Blake
(Closing scene from Chapter 10)
The butt of Bobby's gun came down with accurate force on Bates' skull as Slick tore Emmy out of his clutch. She screamed and Larken cheered as Bates dropped to the ground. Wow, what a pair this Bobby and Slick are … not seen or heard, then whack!, he thought with great respect. Larken shook their hands repeatedly. He turned to Emmy and held out his arms. “You okay?” ...
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Discussion Questions
1. Many of us have heard of Robber's Roost and affiliate it with the old West, but what is it exactly and where is it located?2. The story deals with varying degrees of good and evil, murder, and a nontraditional love story. Are there similarities to the classic story of Romeo and Juliet?
3. Does the term “epic western” apply to Robber's Roost?
4. Stories set in the old West continue to be popular. What makes a story like Robber's Roost so intriguing? What's different about this particular Western novel compared to others in the same genre?
Notes From the Author to the Bookclub
I'm often asked what inspired me to write Robber's Roost and the answer is - my daughter. My daughter Katharine had written a screenplay which included characters and dialogue that fascinated me, and I asked permission to place them among others I might want to introduce in a novel. And Katharine replied, “Have at it, Momma.” Screenwriting is time-limited. In the novel, time is unlimited, so I was free to embellish and expand. Characters make themselves known to you. They form a fictitious presence in one's imagination and develop for the writer a truly close acquaintance. I'm a self-professed genealogist and the mother of three grown daughters. In one capacity or another, I've been writing my entire life. I spent a number of years living on a 17,000-acre ranch in central Texas and in this rural setting my love for literature, poetry, ancient Greek, and theology flourished. Taking the characters in Robber's Roost from the genteel South and 1860s New Orleans casino life, to the notorious old West and an outlaw society was an adventure in itself. The story deals with varying degrees of good and evil, and my hope is that the reader will find it provocative, funny and thought-provoking. I hope you enjoy reading Robber's Roost as much as I enjoyed writing it. I have other book projects already in the works and I'm excited about continuing writing about new characters and new adventures.Book Club Recommendations
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