Barstow: A Post-Apocalyptic Western

by G.P. Grewal

I sat who knows where with the rain falling down, completely drenched, my boots buried in the mud."Save the last bullet for yourself," someone once told me. I couldn't remember who. It was a longtime ago, back when I was young, back before I knew just how hard things were, or were going tobe, despite all the horrible things I'd already seen growing up. But I didn't have any bullets left. Ididn't have anything but an empty gun.



COWBOYS AND MEXICANS. OLD WEST TOWNS AND CRUMBLING 21ST CENTURY RUINS.

A wanderer turned outlaw and a fierce warrior woman of native blood roam the wastes of a dead civilization, battling cowboys, cannibals and the hot desert sun in a dark tale of love and fate set in the post-apocalyptic American Southwest.

Armed with his fearsome fire axe, the other with her deadly guns, the two renegades chance a desperate trek across the long, sweltering hell of the Mojave Desert, the ruthless band of lawmen who pursue them determined to bring the defiant pair to justice before they escape.

Strong violence. Adult themes and situations.



This is a standalone novel and does NOT require reading of other books in G.P. Grewal's post-apocalyptic series.

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 7, 2013

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

G.P. Grewal writes about outsiders: those who are alone, don't fit in, struggle to make and sustain relationships. I've read all his books and it is fascinating to watch him develop his literary themes in books of different genres.

I've never read a Western apart from True Grit (if that counts as a Western) so wasn't sure what to expect. And a hybrid Post-Apocalyptic Western?

However I needn't have worried. This is the best book yet from G.P. Grewal. It's a story about survival; it's a story about love and friendship; and it's a story about law and order. And a whole lot more as well.

There are some fleeting glimpses of cinema Westerns and hints of traditional cowboy films. And The Justifiers, while placed in their immediate environment, exhibit the characteristics of fascist groups over the ages. The post-apocalyptic is the context and the setting is of devastation, squalor and destruction not to mention privations culminating in cannibalism all described in vivid, graphic terms.

The writing is crystal clear, direct and economical: wry observations give you just enough detail and leave your imagination to do the rest. The main characters are well drawn and although their flaws are exposed you feel strongly sympathetic to them and their predicaments. There's a strong Western voice which feels authentic and some interesting rhythms in the sentence structure which moves the narrative forward at a steady trot.

I highly recommend Barstow and I'm sure it will have strong appeal for fans of P.A. and Westerns as well as those who enjoy novels that combine originality and good writing.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Post apocalyptic western...

Hmmm....not really into western but this was somewhat different. Hard to imagine that type off hellish wasteland and trying to survive.
Lucious wasn't a bad man...just unlucky. Seems like the bad men were the winners in the end.
Kudos to the author...well written with a likeable main character and a decent story line. Makes you wonder what goes on with people's imagination!
I did enjoy this book & I will look for other works....

[BirdieTracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written story. Both futuristic and old west in style- which isn't easy to pull off successfully. In the end, a tale about the impossibility of always being able to keep those you care about safe or avoiding your fate. Sad but true.