ROVER YOUNGBLOOD, An American Fable

by Thomas McAfee ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 15, 1969

If Huck Finn had slept a spell and woke up to find he wuz Arlo Guthrie, and if Thomas McAfee had been around, this is what would have happened anyway. A shameless Huck-stering, but it's a touching fable and an easy ride. Rover Youngblood, sixteen, and a runaway in northern Alabama, travels with his horse Bessie to Manfred City, and this is the tale of what happens along the way. First there's the trip to Lord Jesus Turner's ""secret city"" with its chanting colored citizens alight with home brew (""dreama dreama dreama"") where Rover makes his powerful confession. Then after his escape from Virgin Mary Turner (who conceives of some less-than-immaculate notions), there's good Mary Dove Truman of radiant, forgiving kindness, and little Tucky, a Negro youngster who is a wise-old being, also a rebel against stupidity and cruelty. Yet Tucky has to kill to save Rover and the two run off with the Indian Hiwasse after escaping the clutches of Klan-like IIIUN (I'm what I think I am, You're Not). Childe Rover on route to Celestial City with a modern protest twang.

Pub Date: Oct. 15, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Richard Baron

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1969

Categories: FICTION