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The Robber Bridegroom

eudora welty barry moser

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Legendary figures of Mississippi’s past-flatboatman Mike Fink and the dreaded Harp brothers-mingle with characters from Eudora Welty’s own imagination in an exuberant fantasy set along the Natchez Trace. Berry-stained bandit of the woods Jamie Lockhart steals Rosamond, the beautiful daughter of pioneer planter Clement Musgrove, to set in motion this frontier fairy tale. “For all her wild, rich fancy, Welty writes prose that is as disciplined as it is beautiful” (New Yorker).

134 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1,1942
Places
mississippi delta, mississippi, natchez mississippi, 

This edition

Format
134 pages, Hardcover
Published
January 1, 1987 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
ISBN
9780151783182
ASIN
0151783187
Language
English

More editions

About the author

Profile Image for eudora welty

eudora welty

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Eudora Alice Welty was an award-winning American author who wrote short stories and novels about the American South. Her book The Optimist's Daughter won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, among numerous awards. She was the first living author to have her works published by the Library of America.

Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, and lived a significant portion of her life in the city's Belhaven neighborhood, where her home has been preserved. She was educated at the Mississippi State College for Women (now called Mississippi University for Women), the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Columbia Business School. While at Columbia University, where she was the captain of the women's polo team, Welty was a regular at Romany Marie's café in 1930.

During the 1930s, Welty worked as a photographer for the Works Progress Administration, a job that sent her all over the state of Mississippi photographing people from all economic and social classes. Collections of her photographs are One Time, One Place and Photographs.

Welty's true love was literature, not photography, and she soon devoted her energy to writing fiction. Her first short story, "Death of a Traveling Salesman," appeared in 1936. Her work attracted the attention of Katherine Anne Porter, who became a mentor to her and wrote the foreword to Welty's first collection of short stories, A Curtain of Green, in 1941. The book immediately established Welty as one of American literature's leading lights and featured the legendary and oft-anthologized stories "Why I Live at the P.O.," "Petrified Man," and "A Worn Path." Her novel, The Optimist's Daughter, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1973.

In 1992, Welty was awarded the Rea Award for the Short Story for her lifetime contributions to the American short story, and was also a charter member of the Fellowship of Southern Writers, founded in 1987. In her later life, she lived near Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, where, despite her fame, she was still a common sight among the people of her hometown.
Eudora Welty died of pneumonia in Jackson, Mississippi, at the age of 92, and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Jackson.

Excerpted and adopted from Wikipedia.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
38(38%)
4 stars
32(32%)
3 stars
30(30%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Draconix814
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I read this for a book club.

It wasn't something that I would have chosen to pick up on my own.

The book club provides an opportunity to explore different genres and authors that I might not otherwise encounter.

Although this particular book wasn't my usual choice, I decided to give it a try.

As I started reading, I found myself gradually getting more involved in the story.

The characters began to come alive in my mind, and I became invested in their lives and experiences.

Even though it wasn't my initial preference, I ended up enjoying the book more than I expected.

This experience has taught me that sometimes stepping out of my comfort zone and trying new things can lead to pleasant surprises.

I'm looking forward to seeing what other books the book club will introduce me to in the future.
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unhealme_
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Grimm's Robber Bridegroom is a classic fairytale that has been given a unique twist by being set in the Deep South. This retelling does an excellent job of bringing the story to life in a new and exciting way.


The Deep South setting adds a layer of authenticity and charm to the tale. The rich culture, dialect, and traditions of the region are seamlessly integrated into the story, making it feel both familiar and fresh.


The characters in this retelling are well-developed and engaging. The robber bridegroom, with his mysterious and dangerous nature, is a captivating antagonist. The heroine, on the other hand, is brave and resourceful, making her a likable and relatable protagonist.


The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as moments of suspense and danger. The ending is satisfying and ties up all the loose ends nicely.


Overall, this retelling of Grimm's Robber Bridegroom set in the Deep South is a must-read for fans of fairytales and anyone looking for a unique and engaging story. It is a well-written and beautifully crafted work that will leave you wanting more.

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Minei
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This piece of writing comes across as hokey and a real chore to read.

It is truly hard to believe that the very same lady who penned the magnificent "Curtain of Green" could have written this dreck.

The contrast is simply astonishing. One would expect a certain level of quality and finesse from an author who has produced such a remarkable work as "Curtain of Green."

However, this particular piece fails to meet those expectations. It lacks the charm, the elegance, and the engaging narrative that made "Curtain of Green" so captivating.

It seems almost as if it were written by a completely different person.

Perhaps the author was having an off day or was experimenting with a different style that simply didn't work.

Whatever the reason, this piece is a disappointment and a far cry from the brilliance of "Curtain of Green."

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ShanaSakai
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I really liked the narrative style of this article.

It was engaging and held my attention from start to finish. The way the author presented the story made it feel as if I was right there, experiencing everything along with the characters.

The use of vivid descriptions and detailed accounts added depth and realism to the narrative. I could easily picture the scenes and imagine the emotions of the characters.

Additionally, the pacing of the story was恰到好处. It wasn't too slow or too fast, but just right to keep me interested and eager to find out what would happen next.

Overall, the narrative style of this article was one of its strongest points and made it a truly enjoyable read.

I look forward to reading more works by this author in the future.
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animelover5289
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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For anyone who is familiar with the classic fairytales such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood, Robin Hood and Hansel and Gretel, this one is not like any of those. Instead, it encompasses all of them - a completely reimagined folktale that is loosely based on an obscure 1800’s story of the same name by the Brothers Grimm:

https://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm040.html

Every fairytale requires a wicked stepmother, a beautiful maiden, a ‘village idiot’, a goodhearted bandit, and a house in the deep, dark forest. Welty weaves each of these elements, along with traditional American folklore, into a unique and fun folktale of her own creation, with a distinct Southern twist. ‘The Robber Bridegroom’ was her first novel, or rather a novella, and it is at times humorous. For example, “Well,” said Goat, “I would not say outright that the gentleman is stamped with beauty, for when I saw him, his head was no larger than something off the orange tree, his forehead was full of bumps like an alligator’s, and two teeth stuck out of his mouth like the broadhorns on a flatboat.” At other times, it is sinister, like “Murder is as soundless as a spout of blood, as regular and rhythmic as sleep . . . In the sky is the perpetual wheel of buzzards.” Of course, every authentic fairytale must have a fairytale ending, and Welty does not disappoint us.

This book was the perfect way to conclude my month of ‘grim’ reads. I rate it 3.5 stars, rounded up because Welty amazed me with her creativity.
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LitakOfAnime
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This was my very first encounter with Welty's work, and it turned out to be an absolute delight.

Jamie Lockhart, with his long, flowing blond hair and a talking raven perched on his shoulder, is a character brought to life in the most wonderful way. He is a successful businessman from New Orleans, known as the Robber Bridegroom, and the abductor of Rosamond, the beautiful, princess-like daughter of the wealthy planter Clement Musgrove. Rosamond is hated by her wicked-witch step-mother Salome. Musgrove, on the other hand, is the stark contrast, described as "an innocent planter, with a bag of gold and many presents".

Between these main characters and the few other important ones, Welty weaves a story of Musgrove's attempt to hold onto his innocence. While the story may initially seem simple, it actually presents a much deeper and more complex picture of early America. Just like all great folk tales, it comes with a sting in the tail, a moral delivered in the style of the grimmest of Grimm's fairy tales.

It makes you think about the nature of good and evil, innocence and corruption, and the choices people make in a changing world. Welty's writing is so engaging and vivid that you can't help but be drawn into this magical and mysterious world she has created.

I'm already looking forward to reading more of her works and exploring the rich tapestry of stories she has to offer.
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Cereus
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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What a remarkable treat this little book is! It is an adult fairy tale with a captivating twist. Welty, seemingly inspired not only by her homeland but also by the Brothers Grimm themselves, weaves the tale of Jamie Lockhart. He is a charismatic outlaw who terrorizes the population of the deepest and darkest Mississippi with his band of thieves. On the other hand, there is Rosamund Musgrow, a completely innocent and utterly stupid young woman. She wanders the countryside in her expensive silk gown, blissfully unaware of her evil stepmother's burning desire to get rid of her for good. Stepmothers really do have a bad reputation in fairy tales, don't they?

Against an atmospheric backdrop filled with legendary figures from the place and period, Jamie Lockhart claims Rosamund as his own, quite literally, and whisks her off into the sunset to live as his 'robber bride'. This is a dark, poetic, and completely unreal short(ish) story. It is written in an authentic voice and is chock full of twists, turns, and tricks. Drawing inspiration from traditions and tales far older than herself, Welty has crafted something truly unique. Something that I rarely come across nowadays.

http://relishreads.blogspot.com/
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0thplace
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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From 1942, this story combines elements of multiple fairy tales, which makes it truly wonderful.

However, the representation of evil, specifically the murderers of children, as “Indians” is a concerning aspect.

I can understand that perhaps in a certain historical context, such a portrayal might have been a common thing.

But as society has evolved and become more aware of the importance of cultural sensitivity and fairness, this kind of depiction just doesn't hold up anymore.

It is essential to recognize and respect the dignity and rights of all cultures and not use such offensive and inaccurate stereotypes in our stories and media.

We should strive to create more inclusive and positive representations that promote understanding and harmony among different groups.

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