Stand by your beliefs – even if it means going to the end of the Earth
By standing up for his principles to save the life of a prize racehorse, farrier Joseph Barnaby loses everything.
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Now, a personal vendetta has become too deep to fight and he escapes to the island of Madeira where he finds work on a small farm at the foot of a cliff, only accessible by boat.
The balmy climate and never-ending supply of exotic fruit, vegetables and honey make it sound like paradise but, for Joseph, it’s the ideal place to hide from the world.
Can the inhabitants of Quinta da Esperança, who have more grit in them than the pebbled beach that fronts the property, help Joseph find his self-worth again? And can he escape the danger that draws ever nearer?
The theme on WWBB is all about the character from an author's book, and today Susan Roebuck discusses her character Joseph Barnaby, and why she made him.
Character Traits – Joseph Barnaby
The Protagonist of my new novel, “Joseph Barnaby” is – no prizes for guessing – Joseph Barnaby.
Who is he? He grew up in the horse-racing community in the east of England and his father was a well-known horse-trainer. His love of horses led him to train as a farrier which, nowadays, is different to a blacksmith. Blacksmiths tend to make anything in iron, like gates and tools. A farrier, nowadays, should be properly trained and tends to work only with animals. They not only shoe horses but also work alongside vets in equine care.
Joseph had to go through several courses to become registered and a member of the Worshipful Company of Farriers. He was great at his job and very popular. Here’s a short extract to show how well-known he was becoming before disaster struck:
“The noise level in The Rose and Crown pub grew in proportion to the amount the clientele drank, but Joe Barnaby’s father managed to make himself heard as he shouted, “My son is the best farrier in the business.”
Joseph Barnaby laughed and raised his glass. “And what my dad doesn’t know about horse farming isn’t worth knowing.”
There was a cheer, then a brief lull as glasses chinked and someone threw a bag of nacho chips in the air, which was a signal for the noise to start up again.
“He sure is,” one of the farmers cried, joining Joe and his father at their table. “And make sure you’re at my stables tomorrow at nine, young Joe! You need to renew the hoof dressings you put on the bay the other day.”
“It’s in my diary,” Joe confirmed. “And the chestnut’s hooves are due for trimming too.” He picked up his pint of beer and downed it. He had the best job in the world, he decided: great friends and clients, and the opportunity to work all day in the beautiful countryside with his favourite animal.”
Yes, disaster strikes when he risks his life and his career by standing up for his principles: against all expert advice he believes that a horse – the favourite - is not fit to run in a major race. He manages to prevent the horse from competing. No-one believes him and he’s shunned, spat at (by punters who lost their bets), hounded, beaten up until he can no longer stand the revenge attacks. Joseph Barnaby is a broken man. When he’s banned from working as a farrier it’s the last straw. Unable to face society, and fearing for his father’s life if he stays in the UK, he sticks a pin in a map and finds Madeira Island. There he becomes a farm-hand on a small farm at the bottom of an escarpment, miles from anywhere and only accessible by boat. The end of the world.
Yet, his good nature seems to shine through wherever he is and under any circumstance. The population of the nearest village takes to Joe and defends him when danger looms.
His kindness extends to animals – even if they are not horses. Look at this extract when two fishermen come to help him on the farm:
“Why do that donkey and all those goats follow you about?” Carlos asked, eyeing Ed (the donkey). “Everywhere you go, there they are.”
“True enough,” Joe agreed. “They’re my entourage. The chickens join them sometimes.”
That set them laughing, and Joe, for the first time in over a year, felt the ease and enjoyment of being with his fellow-men.”
Love is not far away for Joe. He falls for Sofia, the farmer’s niece who is deaf. Most people don’t know how to communicate with deaf people, but Joe soon understands how to face her when talking and let her read his lips. He even learns sign language:
“When Sofia returned, several of the children ran to her and pulled on her hands.
Laughing, she signed at them and pointed to Joe. She signed. “I told them you are J.O.E.,” she said to him, showing him how to spell his name in sign language. “This is hello,” She waved.
He waved at the students who responded Hello, J.O.E.
One of the younger ladies signed at him and he looked in question at Sofia.
“She’s asking how are you? Actually I think she’s flirting, but still…”
Joe’s nature doesn’t let him give up on himself for long, but you’ll have to read “Joseph Barnaby” to see if he has the strength to recover and regain his reputation and the life he yearns for.
Thank you for hosting me today – I hope you enjoy “Joseph Barnaby”
Author Bio in Susan Roebuck's own words:
I was born and educated in the UK (I am British!) but now live in Portugal. I've been an English teacher for many years with the British Council and also the Portuguese civil service where I developed e-learning courses.
My debut novel, "Perfect Score" was published by Mundania Press on Sept 21, 2010 and the paperback launched on May 11 2011. It was a finalist in the 2012 EPIC e-book Awards in the Mainstream Category.
My second novel is a dark thriller/fantasy called "Hewhay Hall". It won an EPPIE award in the 2013 EPIC (Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition) e-Book Awards in the Horror Category.
Next comes "Rising Tide", published in 2015. Set in Portugal, published by Mundania Press. It is set in a tiny fishing village that the world, and most of Portugal, has forgotten. Read about the wonders of the ocean and see if Piper from Norfolk UK and Leo from Alaska, USA, can find what they're searching for in the little village of Luminosa.
"Forest Dancer" was published on 20th February 2018 by CrookedCat Books. This is novel number 2 set in Portugal but this time in the forests outside Lisbon, Portugal. Instead of the sea (as in Rising Tide), now find out about the wonders of the forest and whether classical ballerina, Flora, can find what she's searching for in the small village of Aurora.
On 5th October 2018 CrookedCat Books published my newest novel, "Joseph Barnaby", another romance/suspense which is set on the island of Madeira.
My debut novel, "Perfect Score" was published by Mundania Press on Sept 21, 2010 and the paperback launched on May 11 2011. It was a finalist in the 2012 EPIC e-book Awards in the Mainstream Category.
My second novel is a dark thriller/fantasy called "Hewhay Hall". It won an EPPIE award in the 2013 EPIC (Electronic Publishing Industry Coalition) e-Book Awards in the Horror Category.
Next comes "Rising Tide", published in 2015. Set in Portugal, published by Mundania Press. It is set in a tiny fishing village that the world, and most of Portugal, has forgotten. Read about the wonders of the ocean and see if Piper from Norfolk UK and Leo from Alaska, USA, can find what they're searching for in the little village of Luminosa.
"Forest Dancer" was published on 20th February 2018 by CrookedCat Books. This is novel number 2 set in Portugal but this time in the forests outside Lisbon, Portugal. Instead of the sea (as in Rising Tide), now find out about the wonders of the forest and whether classical ballerina, Flora, can find what she's searching for in the small village of Aurora.
On 5th October 2018 CrookedCat Books published my newest novel, "Joseph Barnaby", another romance/suspense which is set on the island of Madeira.
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