Spoon

by Robert Greer

His hat was a snow white Tom Mix block, and he wore it tipped forward just enough to shade his eyes. When I asked him what had happened to his shoes, he said, "Shoes can be excess baggage when a man's in a hurry."

A novel of the contemporary American West, Spoon tells the story of Arcus Witherspoon, a mysterious half-black, half-Indian, oddly clairvoyant man searching the West for his roots. Hitchhiking near Hardin, Montana, Spoon falls in with a ranching family struggling to keep their ranch afloat amidst the pressures of hard economic times and an encroaching coal company. Proving himself a gifted ranch hand and mentor, Spoon charges himself with rescuing the Darleys and guiding the family's teenage son TJ on his path to manhood. While Spoon's checkered past includes a prison stint and a navy tour of Vietnam, it is his tenacity, wisdom, and charm that end up defining this quintessential Western man.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Robert Greer, author of the CJ Floyd mystery series, lives in Denver, where he is a practicing surgical pathologist, research scientist, and Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He also edits the High Plains Literary Review, reviews books for National Public Radio, and raises Black Baldy cattle on his ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Series:
* C. J. Floyd

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

TJ Darley was heading back to his parents ranch, the Willow Creek Ranch in Montana, when he came upon Arcus Witherspoon aka Spoon. Spoon was walking along the highway with nothing but a cowboy hat and no boots. TJ asked Spoon about his lack of foot wear and all Spoon said was that shoes can be excess baggage when a man is in a hurry.

Spoon was heading to Ohio to find his roots. TJ offered up Spoon a job as a hired hand on his family’s ranch. Spoon took him up on his offer. TJ’s father used to have a great sense of humor but after the death of TJ's brother, Jimmy, his father changed. Jimmy died when he was just fifteen years old. He was trying to swim across Willow Creek ad drowned. Spoon may seem like a nice guy but he has a spotted past.

This is the first book I have read by this author. Spoon remembers me of the Wild West. Mr. Greer had such a great talent for story telling. There was something about this book that instantly transported me back to a time where honor, family and standing up for yourself meant something. All, I have to say is, Spoon me up some more. You couldn’t help but fall in love with Spoon. What with his quiet demeanor and special talents. He would surprise you. You never knew what Spoon would do next. He is what the west is all about. TJ Daley and his family were good as well. I plan to check out Mr. Greer’s CJ Floyd mysteries.

[JoAnne Pulcino · Rating 5 out of 5]

SPOON
Robert Greer
SPOON is the quintessential novel of the contemporary American West in the voice of a very talented and gifted storyteller who captures the ranching lifestyle and the devoted families who maintain it.
When the Darley’s , a small Montana ranch family hires a mysterious, clairvoyant, half black, half Native American as a ranch hand, named Spoon he immediately senses trouble for them. Spoon is on a quest to find his roots while he proves invaluable by helping the family through hard economic times and when a coal mining company threatens the farm and the environment. The relationship Spoon has with the teen age son resonates with the warmth and caring only a special mentor can shower on a young man on the road to manhood. The eternal question about the lone rider, you can ask is “who was that man”, Spoon of course.
This wonderful classic tale of cowboys, ranchers, big business and larger than life men of character is told with gentle humor, great charm, enduring wisdom and will find a special spot in your heart.

[Leslie Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific read. I highly recommend this story set on a Montana ranch. It includes details of family ranching, small communities, and well developed character backgrounds which greatly enlighten each person. The modern themes of economic woes & mineral rights cause connections and conflicts among neighbors. Well worth my time.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a book! This book was an unexpected surprise - about Montana ranchers battling for their land and their lifestyles - against corporate raiders who want to spoil the land, the air and people with coal mining. And they will go to extreme lengths to make the land theirs. Spoon is a bi-racial farmhand who comes into the family's life in time to use 'the old ways' to help this family through a very difficult time. The story is told from the perspective of the rancher's son who is just getting ready to head off to college.

[Catherine Mustread]

SA: "In Montana, a drifter rescues a family and their way of life before he moves on. It starts in late summer, it ends the following autumn, and the sweetness and melancholy of the seasons perfectly complement this classic tale of a cowboy, ranchers and big business, told with sweet humor and Western elegance."

[Caitlin O'Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern update of Jack Schaeffer's classic Shane, Spoon brings together a troubled family and a mysterious drifter in a battle against the ruthless coal company that's after their land. Fast-paced and full of well-drawn characters.

[Lauren RM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set on a ranch and full of grit and beauty, it's almost too well told. I didn't get too much of a sense of the main character/narrator, but the people around him were so strong that I didn't really notice or care.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simple, predictable modern western. Big bad corporation versus ranching dynasty. High noon meets Fern Gulley. Why does it always take a mysterious outsider to save the natives?

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is classified as a 'western,' but would appeal to a wider audience. It's a modern day western- the farmer v. the coal business. Who will win? Read the book and find out!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this off-beat book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending of this book felt very abrupt.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie Proulx lite. Spoon himself is an amazing character. The rest of the characters don't quite measure up.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Classic western. Fairly predictable. Spoon was an interesting character.

[Lynn Dolven]

Back to fiction - written by a Colorado author - good story of western life in Montana and the competing interests between ranching and development of natural resources. A good story.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I especially appreciated this author's accurate depiction of the modern ranching family and their lifestyle. A quick, touching read that I enjoyed very much.

[Marlana Bense · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked it up from the Library on a whim, because I liked the Cover Photo. I loved it! It was engaging. The characters were real and endearing. I would highly recommend it!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent western. A young man deciding his future. A black/native american searching for his roots. A ranch fighting to keep their land.

[Ray Pettiford · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like books that tell a great story with well developed charaters, you will truly enjoy Spoon.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple story well told.