Austin Chapter
Reader's Guide

July 2007

Huerfano: A Memoir of Life in the Counterculture
Roberta Price

1. The Vietnam War - Hippie years were a strange phenomenon in U. S. history. Did you think "Huerfano" was a balanced presentation of life from a "hippie" point-of-view?

2. Did anyone associated with you get in some way involved with the hippie movement? If so, could you relate to her story or did it seem totally unreal to you?

3. Were you surprised that so many of the local population accepted the commune dwellers, and helped them out?

4. Roberta was one hippie commune member who seemed to be unwilling to totally offend her parents by her life style. Do you think this might be an indication that she was uncertain of her total dedication to David and the commune idea?

5. Many of the hero spokespeople for the hippie movement have now joined the "establishment." Were you surprised that Roberta ended up as one of those?

6. The use of drugs, about which she is very explicit, was a very big factor in their lives. What effort do you think this had on their choices - for instance - the big exchange of partners that happened in Huerfano?

7. Most of the people iln Libre seemed to have a masters degree or more. What was it about life in the communne and the counter-culture in general that attracted educated people?

8. As Roberta pictured it, life in Libre was hard work, but they did seem to get along quite well (except maybe Peter and Roberta after the cat episode). Do you think the fact that most of them could take brief "get-aways" if they got too stress helped them get along?

9. The visitors from "outside" had varying reactions to Libre and its inhabitants. From our distance in time does it seem totally wierd, or a natural outgrowth of the opposition to the Vietnam war and country's values at that time?

10. I was particularly interested in her story about the owl warnings. Have you come across this in other readings? Did you think "Libre" was well-named?

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