Rode

Written by Thomas Fox Averill

Narrated by Scott Sowers

***2012 Spur Award Finalist, Best Western Long Novel When Thomas Fox Averill first heard Jimmy Driftwood's ballad "Tennessee Stud," he found the song hauntingly compelling. As he began to imagine the story behind the lyrics, he set out to research the song's history-a tale from "along about eighteen and twenty-five"" of the legendary exploits of the greatest horse that ever lived, the "Tennessee Stud," and his owner. Traveling the same route the song chronicles, from Tennessee into Arkansas, through Texas and into Mexico, Averill visited racetracks, Spanish missions, historical museums, a living history farm, and national parks, inventing characters of his own along the way. His novel captures the spirit of the ballad while telling the story of Robert Johnson, a man who holds love in his heart though adventure rules his time. Pursued by a bounty hunter, Indians, and his conscience, Johnson and his horse are tested, strengthened, and made resolute.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 2, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490619989

Thomas Fox Averill

Thomas Fox Averill is professor emeritus of English at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, where he taught creative writing and Kansas studies. He is an O. Henry Award short-story winner and author of ten books. His introduction to What Kansas Means to Me: Twentieth Century Writers on the Sunflower State (1991) was titled "Afflicted with Affection," and he remains so. In 2010 he created the Thomas Fox Averill Kansas Studies Collection at Washburn's Mabee Library.

Reviews for Rode

[debs4jc · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Based on the ballad Tennessee Stud, in which a man is forced to abandon his home by the Pa and brother (or brothers) of his sweetheart. After a long journey to Mexico and back he returns, claims his sweetheart as his own, (after "whupping" her family) and they and the horse are able to settle down to a peaceful and fruitful life. Averill's adaptation is colorful and vivid, and it felt like a recreation of Homer's Odyssey in a western setting.

[maryreinert · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading a review of this book in the Kansas City Star, I was fascinated. Making a novel from the old "Tennessee Stud" song seemed like a stretch but one worth pursuing. It was worth the effort.

I'm not a horse fan, and not an avid fan of Westerns, but I do enjoy well written historical fiction. The characters, situations, and settings were believable. There is a straight forward, no nonsense tone to the writing which reflects perfectly the time.

My only quibble with the plot is there seemed to be just a bit too much coincidence. The "West" is a great big place -- how can one just happen to run into the same people that often. Still, if you like Westerns, like horses, you'll like this Tennessee Stud and his rider.