The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta (1854) is a novel by John
Rollin Ridge. Published under his birth name Yellow Bird, from
Cheesquatalawny in Cherokee, The Life and Adventures of Joaquin
Murieta was the first novel from a Native American author. Despite its
popular success worldwide--the novel was translated into French and
Spanish---Ridge's work was a financial failure due to bootleg copies and
widespread plagiarism. Recognized today as a groundbreaking work of
nineteenth century fiction, The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta
is a powerful novel that investigates American racism, illustrates the
struggle for financial independence among marginalized communities, and
dramatizes the lives of outlaws seeking fame, fortune, and vigilante
justice. Born in Mexico, Joaquin Murieta came to California in search of
gold. Despite his belief in the American Dream, he soon faces violence
and racism from white settlers who see his success as a miner as a
personal affront. When his wife is raped by a mob of white men and after
Joaquin is beaten by a group of horse thieves, he loses all hope of
living alongside Americans and turns to a life of vigilantism. Joined by
a posse of similarly enraged Mexican-American men, Joaquin becomes a
fearsome bandit with a reputation for brutality and stealth. Based on
the life of Joaquin Murrieta Carrillo, also known as The Robin Hood of
the West, The Life and Adventures of Joaquin Murieta would serve as
inspiration for Johnston McCulley's beloved pulp novel hero Zorro. With
a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this
edition of John Rollin Ridge's The Life and Adventures of Joaquin
Murieta is a classic work of Native American literature reimagined for
modern readers.
