This is a work of literature intended mainly for its entertainment value, and no historical inference must be derived from the text. That said, all the events depicted in this book really occurred; the hero is drawn from life. Remembrances of childhood, of special people met along the way, and meditations on our great pioneering ancestors and native Americans helped to organize the narrative. Several double references-on the one hand to the history that precedes this tale and on the other hand, to the reasons why Robin behaves in a particular way-are mentioned and the reader is well advised to read Freedom Creek as an introduction to this material; in point of fact, Robin's thoughts and philosophical interpretations of life are devised from years of searching for the truth. Moreover, the title of the book-The Vicissitudes of Robin Scottshouse-is meant to emphasize the spirit of existentialism in the main character.
Alert: Though the main character is a teenager, and this narrative delineates coming-of-age issues, this is not a story for children: it contains Strong Language, Sexuality, and Dysfunctional Behavior.