Gypsies in Western Novels by Janice Cole Hopkins

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I have traveled quite a bit, and I’ve noticed small bands of gypsies in many of the European countries. This sparked a special interest in their lifestyle, and it’s always been in the back of my mind to write a novel including them. My chance came when I became a part of the multiple-author collection, The Matchmaker & the Mother-In-Law. However, it wasn’t until I chose my book cover from the ones offered that I locked onto the idea. By the time I saw them to select mine, the only one I liked was a Spanish-looking woman. I remembered the gypsies I saw on my trips to Spain, and Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma was born.

 

The gypsies in Spain are called Cale (Kah.lay’). There, as in most places, gypsies have historically experienced prejudice and discrimination. They might be barred from entering certain establishments, and it was hard for them to find gainful employment if people learned of their backgrounds. All sorts of rumors followed them, saying they were thieves, kidnappers, dishonest, and disreputable as Carmen’s mother tries to explain to her when they first move to Utah:

 

“No, no, no,” Mother rushed into the room shaking her head. “Do not tell her about the gypsies. She doesn’t need to know about them. We all need to forget about that part of our lives.”

“Why, Mamá?” Carmen knew her parents didn’t want to talk about that time in their lives, and they didn’t want Carmen to know about any of it, but she’d never really understood.

“Other people don’t understand the gypsies,” her mother tried to explain again. “They accuse us of all types of criminal activities. A few of them are true for a few gypsies, but certainly not most of them. However, if others know you come from gypsy stock, they won’t like you or have anything to do with you. For your future, for all our futures, we must keep it a secret. Do you understand?”

Carmen nodded her head, and she did understand the words. She just didn’t understand why anyone would hate her because her grandparents and parents had been gypsies at one time. To her, the gypsies were fascinating, and she wanted to know all about them.

 

In the book, although Carmen was born in America, her parents and grandparents had been gypsies in Spain. Carmen’s father was falsely accused of a crime, so he and his family leave their gypsy camp in the middle of the night and sail to America. Carmen was born several months later.

 

Once in the new country, they decide it would be better to hide their gypsy heritage. After the Civil War begins, they move to Utah, her father starts a horse ranch, and he brings horses from Spain. When Carmen becomes a young woman, her parents decide that Mateo should be her matchmaker. After all, who has her best interest at heart more than a girl’s father.

 

Historically, Spain is known for their fine horses. The Andalusian, a famous Spanish breed known for its beauty and versatility, is one of the best-known breeds, but there are others as well as mixes.

The Hispano-Arabe is part Arabian and part Andalusian. Galician horses are an ancient breed believed to have come from the Celts. They are friendly horses who are people-oriented and very protective of their foals, so they make great mothers.

Paso Fina is a versatile breed. They come from several breeds that Christopher Columbus used when he was in the Dominican Republic, including, Barbs, Andalusians, and Spanish Jennets. These horses have a smooth gait, are extremely smart, easily trained, and like people. However, they can be spirited.

Merens are sturdy and strong and make a good all-around choice. They’re known for their endurance either riding or pulling vehicles.

The story continues with Holden Judd’s mother driving him crazy, trying to match him with a woman he has nothing in common with. When he goes to buy horses from Matteo for his livery business, he keeps returning, and it doesn’t take long for him to fall in love with Carmen. However, his mother is determined to break them up, even if she must be secretive about it. Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma is available for Kindle, KU, print, and Audible. Check it out – CLICK HERE.

Do you have a special interest in an ethnic or cultural group? Explain why or why not.

Leave a comment to enter the drawing for a Kindle copy of Carmen’s Wedding Dilemma.

 

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33 thoughts on “Gypsies in Western Novels by Janice Cole Hopkins”

  1. I studied Spanish from middle school through college, so Spain was always special to me. Still partially fluent at the time, I was able to visit, not all the places I learned about in my studies, but it was wonderful to spend a week there. It was beautiful.

    • I’ve been to Spain twice, and I agree. I speak what I call “survival Spanish.” I know the bare basics, but I wish I were more fluent.

      • My son got married in Mexico a few months ago, and I was lucky that somewhere in the recesses of my mind I had retained the language. I had a minor problem at the airport, and it came back just when I needed it.

  2. I like learning about all different ethnic or cultural groups not just a specific one. I grew up in a very mixed neighborhood, so I saw or heard a little about the different ways of celebrating . Our next door neighbor, for Thanksgiving or Christmas, had a big fire pit in their backyard and always had a pig every year. They took shifts because it took 24 hours.

  3. I like that. What great experiences. One of my goals when I taught history was to teach tolerance of those with different backgrounds.

  4. I like learning about different cultures and reading stories about fictional people of those cultures is one way of learning about them.

  6. I have been called a gypsy esp in my youth – my love of horses, wearing lot of jewelry and dark hair with blue eyes – sound familiar?? LOL!!

    • I love learning about almost anything, especially if it relates to people. That’s one reason I’m a regular here on P & P, both as a reader and as an author.

  8. I have always had an affinity for the Indians. My husband is 1/4 Indian as I have seen a picture of his grandfather on his father’s side. His grandmother was full blooded Irish. That must have been quite a match if she was as temperamental as I have been led to believe. Prior to that, I have had great sympathy for the Indians who were driven from their own land, into nonproductive and animals were sparse as they needed to hunt to feed their entire tribe. They were treated worse that the slaves. Many were killed just because they were Indians. Gypsie’s are also interesting as their lifestyle would be very hard to live for most of us. They are still prevalent in the US today. Some years ago, a band of gypsies traveled through the small town which was my hometown. Their leader was old and ill, so they camped south of town until he passed away and then they moved on. This was back in the 1970’s or 1980’s.

    • I’ve always been interested in Indians, too. I think it may stem from my interest in history. I’ve included them in several of my books, especially the Appalachian Roots series and the Cactus Creek series. It’s also interesting that you saw a band of gypsies years ago. I bet that left an impression on you.

  9. I was in Peru and they have the Peruvian Paso horses. they have a different gait as well. So they could be related. I enjoy gypsies as they are fascinating.

    • They probably are related since the Spanish conquistadors brought horses to the Americas.

  10. I’ve always been interested in Indians, too. I think it may stem from my interest in history. I’ve included them in several of my books, especially the Appalachian Roots series and the Cactus Creek series. It’s also interesting that you saw a band of gypsies years ago. I bet that left an impression on you.

  11. I lived in Peru for 3 years and loved it. I attended an American school, but there were many students from other countries so I learned a lot about other cultures. My favorite thing to do was to walk or ride my bike to the Polo Club where I would hang out in the stable area. I used to “borrow” cigarettes from my parents and trade them to the workers so they would let me groom the horses and sometimes exercise them. I brought that love of horses back to the States and my Grandpa would take me on trail rides whenever he could.

  14. I enjoyed the article and the books sounds great. Can’t wait to read it. Thank you for a chance to win.

  15. Janice, great to have you again. Gypsy romances were quite popular back in the 1970s and 80s and I read as many as I could find, which was a bunch because they were everywhere. I loved those and pirate stories and both really fed the fire inside me to write. Gypsy culture is really fascinating. Your new book looks fantastic. Wishing you success with your books and life.

  16. I read a lot of pirate books, but I somehow missed the ones with gypsies. Thank you so much for the kind words and well wishes.

  17. My brother has done a lot of research into our family history. The french side of the family came over to Canada with the first french settlers, mostly trappers and some farmers and virtually all men. Wanting to solidify France’s right to the land, the King sent over women to marry and establish families and towns. We have at least 20 of these “Daughters of the King” in the family tree. Both sides of my mother’s family have this back ground. My dad’s mother’s family has that same history. His dad’s family came over to
    Canada from Ireland about the time of the famine. Both my grandparents’ families moved over the border into northern New York not long before they were born. My interest is in the Irish side of the family. My brother has traced them back to a county but unless we go there, it sort of stops. John and Mary Lynch are extremely common names in Ireland so it will be hard to sort them out. I have an affinity for the Celtic culture. I would also like to find out more about the Daughters of the King and see if there is any way to trace some of them back in France.

  18. Growing up while taking a lot of Spanish. I delved into the culture of Spain. I was fascinated about so much of it all. Than I learned of the Gypsies that traveled Europe. Oh but these two cultures kept me fascinated for many years.

  20. Fascinating history – thanks for sharing. I’m interested in the gypsy culture as well. I assumed (from things I’ve read) that this people group were thieves and deceitful so thank you for enlightening me. Looking forward to reading your book.

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