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Outlaw Pete
Outlaw Pete is a modern legend of a criminal who starts out in diapers and confronts the roughest edges of adulthood. It’s one of the most ambitious and original story songs Springsteen has written.
When Bruce Springsteen was a little boy, he learned the story of Brave Cowboy Bill, about a pure-hearted little cowboy. It was the first of Bruce’s Western loves, which now range from John Ford movies to Mexican music to Native American art. Each of these inspirations, plus what he’s learned as a man and a rock ’n’ roller about how to combine whimsy and wisdom, were stations on the way to Outlaw Pete , a modern legend of a criminal who starts out in diapers and confronts the roughest edges of adulthood. It’s one of the most ambitious and original story songs Springsteen has written—rhapsodic and harsh, a meditation on destiny, filled with absurdities but not for one second of its eight minutes exactly a joke. It’s an elaborate musical drama, weaving into a single tapestry several styles of rock and an orchestration reminiscent of a Morricone soundtrack.
Outlaw Pete is an adult book, illustrated by Frank Caruso, who drew and painted its pages. Caruso does more than illustrate the song. His approach, immaculately detailed, simple when it needs to be, parallels Springsteen’s blend of absurdity and meditation. The questions about destiny remain unanswered, as they must be, but they’re also brought into a different kind of focus. Details that pass by almost unnoticed in the lyrics become central.
Reading and listening have rarely so superbly complemented each other. The result becomes the most intense kind of artistic collaboration, a vision shared.
But I’m not trying to start anything, so buy it, don’t steal it, OK? —Dave Marsh
When Bruce Springsteen was a little boy, he learned the story of Brave Cowboy Bill, about a pure-hearted little cowboy. It was the first of Bruce’s Western loves, which now range from John Ford movies to Mexican music to Native American art. Each of these inspirations, plus what he’s learned as a man and a rock ’n’ roller about how to combine whimsy and wisdom, were stations on the way to Outlaw Pete , a modern legend of a criminal who starts out in diapers and confronts the roughest edges of adulthood. It’s one of the most ambitious and original story songs Springsteen has written—rhapsodic and harsh, a meditation on destiny, filled with absurdities but not for one second of its eight minutes exactly a joke. It’s an elaborate musical drama, weaving into a single tapestry several styles of rock and an orchestration reminiscent of a Morricone soundtrack.
Outlaw Pete is an adult book, illustrated by Frank Caruso, who drew and painted its pages. Caruso does more than illustrate the song. His approach, immaculately detailed, simple when it needs to be, parallels Springsteen’s blend of absurdity and meditation. The questions about destiny remain unanswered, as they must be, but they’re also brought into a different kind of focus. Details that pass by almost unnoticed in the lyrics become central.
Reading and listening have rarely so superbly complemented each other. The result becomes the most intense kind of artistic collaboration, a vision shared.
But I’m not trying to start anything, so buy it, don’t steal it, OK? —Dave Marsh
56 pages, Hardcover
Published November 4, 2014
3 people are currently reading
167 people want to read
About the author
Bruce Springsteen
150 books862 followersBruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen is an American songwriter, singer and guitarist. He has frequently recorded and toured with the E Street Band. Springsteen is most widely known for his brand of heartland rock infused with pop hooks, poetic lyrics, and Americana sentiments centered around his native New Jersey. His eloquence in expressing ordinary, everyday problems has earned him numerous awards, including twenty Grammy Awards and an Academy Award, along with an international fan base. His most famous albums, Born to Run and Born in the U.S.A., epitomize his penchant for finding grandeur in the struggles of daily life. He has sold over 64 million albums in the U.S. alone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
April 23, 2025
Love me some cowboys, had some beautiful artwork, too.
March 5, 2015
If this book is in the children's section of your library, politely point out that it is adult fiction.
January 17, 2015
I sat down and read this along to the song Outlaw Pete and found it an absolute blast! I always found it a fun song, but reading the words to the fantastic artwork here added so much depth to it which is increased with Springsteen's afterword.
I'm not sure how well this would work as a straight up picture book or to non Springsteen fans, but then I'm not sure that this is ever intended for them.
I'm not sure how well this would work as a straight up picture book or to non Springsteen fans, but then I'm not sure that this is ever intended for them.
March 22, 2023
Joel will be sad I am giving this two stars, since M loved belting out "can you hear me?!" at the top of her lungs at the end, and she requested to read it through multiple times. However - despite the baby on the cover and the "picture book" binding this is definitely not content for kids. So. Two stars.
August 26, 2015
¡Qué genial! Confieso que no conocía la canción de Bruce Springsteen, pero dije "venga, va, voy a leer el libro mientras escucho Outlaw Pete" ¡y qué buena decisión! Este libro ilustra perfectamente la letra y, además, el estilo de los dibujos es increíble. Me encanta que todo parezca pintado en un lienzo, pero que luego haya elementos de cada ilustración que parezcan digitales. No sé, la combinación le sentaba muy bien al estilo que, asumo yo, Frank Caruso, le quiso dar a la historia mientras la ilustraba.
Muuuy recomendado, hayan escuchado a Springsteen o no, porque es un libro que vale la pena tener en la biblioteca por lo bonito y bien hecho que está.
Muuuy recomendado, hayan escuchado a Springsteen o no, porque es un libro que vale la pena tener en la biblioteca por lo bonito y bien hecho que está.
November 26, 2014
This is a graphic novel disguised as a picture book--don't judge this book by the cover or its illustrations. Outlaw Pete leads a dangerous life, beginning his career as an outlaw wearing diapers, robbing banks at 6 months. He wants to be seen and heard, but still settles down later in life. No more to tell without giving away the ending.
The illustrations are really cool.
Highly recommended!
The illustrations are really cool.
Highly recommended!
March 4, 2015
I always liked this Bruce Springsteen song, and the Frank Caruso illustrations are perfect. Funny and cartoonish on some pages, and then absolutely beautiful on others (my favorite page illustrates the line “And as the snow fell he held their beautiful daughter to his chest”). Though it looks like a picture book I’d say probably not for kids, although older kids and teens might appreciate the blend of absurdity and tragedy in this tall tale.
November 13, 2014
This adult picture book is a treasure for Bruce Springsteen fans. I've always loved the song. It is a tale that has been born out of the Old West. There is some delightful whimsy about it, too (the diaper-clad baby Pete, an outlaw, even then). Love the illustrations. Now I can listen, sing along, and enjoy the visualisation. Can you hear me!
May 10, 2019
Some pop songs translate really well to picture books. This isn't one of them. Not sure if I even like the song, TBH.
Despite the advice in the afterword that this isn't really a book for kids, it was in the kids' section of the bookstore and my kid picked it out. So that's disappointing, although not the book's fault. The book has enough faults.
Despite the advice in the afterword that this isn't really a book for kids, it was in the kids' section of the bookstore and my kid picked it out. So that's disappointing, although not the book's fault. The book has enough faults.
February 26, 2015
Fick denna av mamma i julklapp. Hon trodde det var en grafisk novell men visade sig vara en bilderbok. För att vara en bilderbok så blev jag förvånad över hur bra den faktiskt var. Illustrationerna är riktigt snygga och berättelsen med.
December 6, 2017
Yeah, this could have just stayed a song.
November 12, 2017
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is Outlaw Pete, written by Bruce Springsteen and illustrated by Frank Caruso. Using the lyrics of Springsteen’s song, Outlaw Pete tells the tragic story of the toughest and most fearsome gunslinger to ever roam the West.
Pete is an outlaw from birth, no doubt about it. By six months old, he’d already spent three months in jail. He fears no lawman, shows no mercy, and only slows his wild ride across the West to sow mayhem and misery. One night, Pete awakes from a nightmare of his own demise, and decides to retire. He falls in love with a Native woman, marrying and having a baby. But when you’ve done terrible things, there’s no hiding forever – eventually, Pete’s past catches up to him, and he makes a terrible choice that sends him on the run once more, never to return.
If that plot summary doesn’t sound like a children’s book, well… you’re not wrong. Truth be told, Outlaw Pete is a book that’s a difficult to pin down. Inspired by Springsteen’s childhood stories, this is an authentic murder ballad, complete with language and illustrations of crime and death. However, it also has some of the most beautiful art I’ve seen in a picture book, an exciting story, and even a valid lesson for little ones: doing bad and hurting others is something you can never truly escape. So, would we recommend it? Well, full disclosure: the Baby Bookworm family are huge Springsteen fans. And truthfully, it probably will become part of our rotation: JJ loved the art, adored the song as I sang it to her, and we’re a family that doesn’t shy away from dark themes. I would say this: if you’re not looking for a book that will raise a lot of tough questions with your little reader, maybe pass on this one. But for Springsteen fans, fans of gorgeous Western-inspired illustrations, and those that don’t mind criminal misdeeds in their picture books, this one is Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
February 11, 2018
I am so glad I read this before putting it in my library. I picked this up at Dollar Tree thinking, "Wow! $1 for a hardback picture book, what a great deal!" This is NOT a children's book. If I had read the inside flap, I would have known that, but when books are that cheap, I tend to just throw them in the cart without much thought. I'm not sure what to do with this book now...
March 4, 2018
The tale of "Outlaw Pete," is a favored memory from childhood that his Mom told him each night, from memory. It's also a song he recorded, so you should either consult your music collection or Youtube it, once done. The story is okay, but Caruso's art is superb. Buy the book, which is not a children's book BTW, for the art alone.
August 20, 2020
It was cute, but I didn't like how it needed an explanation at the end of the book.
If I am a kid, I don't read a story and immediately look for an explanation. I'm reading it over and over for the mere enjoyment, and eventually the larger abstract themes end up bleeding into my general philosophy.
If I am a kid, I don't read a story and immediately look for an explanation. I'm reading it over and over for the mere enjoyment, and eventually the larger abstract themes end up bleeding into my general philosophy.
November 18, 2019
Theres a guy smiling in a pool of his own blood at the end, which ended up being my five year old’s favorite page — Not sure how I feel about that. :) I could have done without all the “Outlaw Pete Can You Hear Me?”’s as well.
May 7, 2018
Great song & a great comic!
May 26, 2018
Despite the presentation and the beautiful art, this is NOT a kids book.
four stars for adults, zero for kids.
four stars for adults, zero for kids.
July 4, 2018
The illustrations are gritty, but beautifully done. The story starts out cute and fun, but gets very dark and ends on a pretty grim note. Not really a book suited for kids.
September 8, 2018
This is not a children's book, but as an adult book it is a fun quick read. The illustrations are well done and add to the song.
December 23, 2018
Dad made us read this. I didn't get it. Dumb.
August 21, 2019
I love the song. It sticks and is dramatic. Beautiful to see it in art and illustrations.
January 21, 2020
Exceptionally illustrated adult-themed book. Might be a good Springsteen song, but topic doesn't carry well (at all) into children's book.
April 24, 2020
Awesome tale
The song Outlaw Pete is one of .u favourite Springsteen tracks android adds to it wonderfully
Definitely recommended please read
The song Outlaw Pete is one of .u favourite Springsteen tracks android adds to it wonderfully
Definitely recommended please read
April 26, 2021
Very cute children's book
December 28, 2022
This was a wonderful book. It was about Pete who became an outlaw while he was still in diapers.
February 13, 2025
It was disarming. (8 year old review)
April 2, 2025
Charming for what it is
December 31, 2025
Pictures to go with the 8 minute Springsteen song of the same name. "Graphic novel" seems a bit much.
November 8, 2014
I should preface this with the fact that since the 80s I've been a diehard Springsteen fan - the kind who travels to see his shows whenever convenient(the ultimate instance being a trip from LA to New York for the final six shows of the 1999-2000 tour, without a single ticket in hand and all shows "sold out" before I left, but that's a story for elsewhere). For today we merely express our interest in how a gifted songwriter steps out of the proverbial box in an unexpected way.
[So the people that appear to hate this book the most without having read it yet? Diehard Springsteen fans :-) We can be even wierder than you'd think, lol!]
Springsteen did not commission this storybook. He just wrote the song, put it on his Working on a Dream album, and performed it nightly on the next tour. The song is light in tone, as many of his serious ones are, and since the text of the book is the lyrics of the song, the same combination of light and dark informs the storybook that resulted when illustrator Frank Caruso took it upon himself to create a visual realization of those lyrics. However such things happen, serendipity got it in front of Bruce's eyes and a sort of "collaboration after the fact" ensued.
Caruso did a very nice job of creating visuals that follow the verse and chorus structure. The results are simple but overall reflective of the song's intentions. Referred to in many venues as a comic or graphic novel, it really isn't. It's a storybook, no different in that resspect than a Curious George storybook or anything similar to that. While this makes it look like a children's book, Bruce's own comments in the afterword suggest that it is more of a hybrid, an adult story clothed in a children's format. I can't imagine most parents, even among Springsteen diehards, would hand this to their kids to read, but it provides an ideal framework for sitting *together* with one's child, along with the book's soundtrack, to begin the dialogue that every parent should, in my opinion, be having with their child a bit sooner rather than much too late, about life and character, about the importance of knowing that everything you do in life will follow you forever. If you can broach that subject matter with your child, I'll give you and the book together at least an extra star :-)
[So the people that appear to hate this book the most without having read it yet? Diehard Springsteen fans :-) We can be even wierder than you'd think, lol!]
Springsteen did not commission this storybook. He just wrote the song, put it on his Working on a Dream album, and performed it nightly on the next tour. The song is light in tone, as many of his serious ones are, and since the text of the book is the lyrics of the song, the same combination of light and dark informs the storybook that resulted when illustrator Frank Caruso took it upon himself to create a visual realization of those lyrics. However such things happen, serendipity got it in front of Bruce's eyes and a sort of "collaboration after the fact" ensued.
Caruso did a very nice job of creating visuals that follow the verse and chorus structure. The results are simple but overall reflective of the song's intentions. Referred to in many venues as a comic or graphic novel, it really isn't. It's a storybook, no different in that resspect than a Curious George storybook or anything similar to that. While this makes it look like a children's book, Bruce's own comments in the afterword suggest that it is more of a hybrid, an adult story clothed in a children's format. I can't imagine most parents, even among Springsteen diehards, would hand this to their kids to read, but it provides an ideal framework for sitting *together* with one's child, along with the book's soundtrack, to begin the dialogue that every parent should, in my opinion, be having with their child a bit sooner rather than much too late, about life and character, about the importance of knowing that everything you do in life will follow you forever. If you can broach that subject matter with your child, I'll give you and the book together at least an extra star :-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews