Thieves Like Us

This one's one of my favorites. it's written by Edward Anderson.

the novel begins with three convicts, T-Dub, Chicamaw and Bowie, escaping from a prison in Oklahoma. not only do they escape, they proceed to go on a bank robbing spree netting themselves a hefty lot of cash.

the story is taken from Bowie's point of view, although it is not a first person narrative by him. it primarily describes Bowie's thoughts throughout the novel.

well, things are running smoothly, except for Chicamaw drinking a bit too hard than is good for him. the three split up and decide to meet up in Gusherton for another robbery and go their respective ways, when Bowie's car meets with an accident. Chicamaw, who is right behind him, comes to his aid and is about to whisk him away before anyone comes along and finds Bowie's car loaded with guns and robbed cash, when suddenly cops come on the scene. left with no option, Chicamaw has to open fire. he does, and speeds off, with half the police force on his tail.

somehow, he loses the heat and drops an injured Bowie at Dee Mobley's, who is an old accomplice. then Chicamaw goes underground.

then, things start going wrong. firstly, Bowie gets his stupid self in love with Dee Mobley's daughter, Keechie. as if this isn't enough, they go off to some remote town down south, and start what they think is a new life. only Bowie knows that his old life isn't far behind, but refrains from saying it. he knows Keechie wants him to give up crime, and to be fair, he tries.

soon, the day of the meet draws near, and after a small argument with Keechie, Bowie heads to Gusherton to meet his two buddies. he has promised his lady he will not take part in the robbery.

things are still screwed up. Chicamaw is drinking more than ever, T-Dub's got his fool self married to a kid named Lula, and Bowie's in two minds as to the robbery.

however, the prospect becomes irresistible and the three go ahead and hit the bank in Gusherton.

things go mostly downhill after this. T-Dub gets killed by the cops, his wife is in police custody and Chicamaw is arested and whisked off to a prison in Bingham.

Bowie gets hell from Keechie for taking part in the robbery and makes another attempt at salvaging his "new life". but soon, he is making plans to get Chicamaw out of the Bingham State Penitentiary.

what happens after that is the climax, which leaves you cursing Bowie for getting involved with Keechie in the first place. at least that's how it happened with me. i got so involved with the story that i felt sorry for the three at the end.

the novel's got a feel of reality to it that, and the protagonists are well-portayed.

hats off to Anderson!!!