The Sisters Brothers - Patrick deWitt

How not to become a hero

Title: The Sisters Brothers

Author: Patrick deWitt

Publication details: April 26th 2011 by Ecco

A more recent addition to the western genre, this novel follows the story of gold seekers in the Californian gold rush. Although this is a traditional western it constantly challenges the genre with dark humour and modern pace. The main characters are two gunslinging outlaws seeking nothing but wealth and violence who accidently become folk heroes and manage to save the day. The outlaws must now decide whether to go back to being petty thieves or embrace their new found status as heroes –in which case the government will destroy them.

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The Big Sky - A.B. Guthrie Jr.

We all have a wild side

Title: The Big Sky

Author: A.B. Guthrie Jr.

Publication details: 1947 by Mariner Books 

Fifty years ago A.B. Guthrie Jr. captured readers with this novel of adventure, action and romance and many are still falling into its grasp today. This novel tells the tale of Boone Caudill, Dick Summers and Jim Deakins, frontiersman, explorers and general tough guys. The trio are trappers and traders hunting the frontiers and surviving off the land. Despite the harsh terrain and dangerous lifestyle the men become humbled by the freedom and beauty of the wilderness. Each of them find their own internal peace and begin to embrace isolation, hunger and fear. The men teach Caudill, a young aspiring bush man, to live they way they do and instead of finding peace Caudill unleashes an inner wildness that all other trappers begin to fear. Rather than surviving Caudill thrives, living like an animal and resenting the human lifestyle. When the daughter of a nearby tribal chief falls for him Caudill has one last chance of humanity.

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Riders of the Purple Sage - Zane Grey, William R. Handley

"adventure, action, violence, crisis, conflict..."

Title: Riders of the Purple Sage

Author: Zane Grey, William R. Handley

Publication details: December 10th 2002 by Modern Library (first published 1912)

A cornerstone of the western genre, this classic novel tells the story of gunslinger, Lassiter who is on a mysterious quest that leads him to the far reaches of the western frontier. During his travels Lassiter saves Jane Withersteen, a beautiful ranch owner, from being forced into a marriage with a Mormon. Jane repays Lassiter by helping on his quest which leads back to her own land and a secret grave hidden within it. The novel is an indulgent romance packed with action and lots of cheesy hero moments for our protagonist. The author repeatedly gives the audience exactly what they want.

“combined adventure, action, violence, crisis, conflict, sentimentalism, and sex in an extremely shrewd mixture,” - Russell Nye

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Lonesome Dove - Larry McMurtry

Pulitzer Prize winning awesomeness 

Title: Lonesome Dove

Author: Larry McMurtry

Publication details: October 1st 1999 by Pocket Books (first published 1985)

This Pulitzer Prize winning novel is the third and final book in the Lonesome Dove series. The story follows the town of Lonesome Dove on the frontiers of Texas. McMurtry intertwines the lives of heroes, villains, outlaws, Indians, prostitutes and settlers all trying to survive the harsh frontier life. The plot is slower than most westerns because it focuses less on high action single events but rather builds to one ultimate climax toward the end. This pace is appropriate because when reading the book we are in no hurry to advance and the tlaes of daily life and small confrontations are very entertaining. This novel also begins with a much lighter tone than other classic westerns, this is done strategically by the author to balance out the epic and enthralling final chapters. 

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The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith - Thomas Keneally

You can't own the land, the land owns you

Title: The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith

Author: Thomas Keneally

Publication details: HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd

This is one of the few westerns set in Australia (sometimes referred to as ‘Meat Pie Westerns’) Set in the 1900s this novel follows the story of Jimmie Blacksmith, a half aboriginal man who marries a white woman. When Jimmie is shun by his own tribe and hunted by white society he must pick a side and disown the other. When his employer’s family are murdered Jimmie is blamed and must flee far beyond lands any white man has claimed and survive as his ancestors once did while he plots his revenge. This is a beautifully written story of finding yourself and connecting with your heritage. The novel is a slower pace than most westerns because it takes time to explain finer points of the plot and the complex emotions of loneliness, vengeance and self-identity. 

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Bushwack - Richard S. Wheeler

Getting lost to find yourself?

Title: Bushwack
Author: Richard S. Wheeler

Publication details: January 1st 1978 by Doubleday Books

Easterner, Linda Van Pelt finds herself alone in the desolate western countryside after the death of her husband. With the help of her neighbour, horse trainer Canada Parker and her wits she must care for her land and cattle. When the cattle begin to go missing Linda enlists Canada to help her try to recover them from the dangerous Rustlers who are infamous and violent cattle thieves. Wheeler leads a fast paced plot of action and adventure subtly weaving in romance along the way. This novel deals with loneliness, loyalty and self-empowerment some of humanity’s most basic and harsh emotions set to the rough western landscape. 

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The Lonesome Gods - Louis L'Amour

Sometimes the hardest person to be with is yourself

Title: The Lonesome Gods

Author: Louis L'Amour

Publication details: 1983 by Bantam

A young boy growing up in west LA named Johannes Verne is orphaned at the age of 7 and is left to die in the desert when his Grandfather murders his parents. As the boy rows older his past trauma prevents him from connecting properly with others and he becomes manipulative and compelling to those around him. When he finally becomes a teenager his starts working with horses and is sent on a job to move a large team of them deeper west. When several horses mysteriously disappear Johannes is led into a trap and must escape death and the mysterious evil forces who want him dead. The books is writing in a suspenseful style but still carries the plot at a very fast pace. The journey this young man takes introduces him harshly to adulthood and we get to see new sides to his complex character as he is separated from the people he manipulates and charms and left alone in the west with only himself for company.

A reading of the books introduction.

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True Grit - Charles Portis

Road trips, revenge and unlikely allies

Title:  True Grit

Author: Charles Portis

Publication details: May 21st 1968 by Overlook Books 

Pursuing a murderer who has escaped into Indian Territory, a by-the-book U.S. Marshal Rooster J. Cogburn joins forces with a nomadic bounty-hunting Texas Ranger from the west and 14 year old Mattie Ross, a belligerent young lady on a quest for vengeance. Their travels and differences push the plot steadily through hard, emotional and at times even funny adventures as they all try to get along and catch the murderer before he gets past the frontiers and is gone forever. Each protagonist has their own motivations and methods, as the author sends them on a physical journey the reader gets to experience an emotional one delving deeper into the characters back stories and watching their travels change the people they are and will be. 

True Grit was made into a major 

motion picture in 2010.

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Blood Meridian - Cormac McCarthy

Evil has never been so fascinating

Title: Blood Meridian (also known an Evening Redness in the West)

Author: Cormac McCarthy

Publication details: Published May 1992 by Vintage Books (first published 1985)

The book follows a group of people who are hunting Indians in the old Southwest, focusing on one character in particular, the Judge, arguably one of literatures greatest villains. The Judge is mesmerizing and terrifying, as the novels pace quickens we become attached to his story and his actions. The author uses a character from his gang The Kid to create a contrast between good and evil – this is important because the many actions of The Judge can seem normal after a while. The violence in this novel is blatant and not glorified or stylised in any way – it’s dark, cold and direct, creating a separate contrast, this time to the land itself. The hot, dry landscapes are written in vivid, descriptive language, a nice change from the tone of the plot and action scenes. 

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"The .45 goodbye" - Dempsey Clay

You can't run from redemption

Title:  The .45 goodbye

Author: Dempsey Clay

Publication details: London : Robert Hale, 2009.

Outlaw Sonny Boy Clanton was somewhat of a folk hero in the west, known for his courage, style and band of loyal subjects. He lost it all when he kidnapped the Governor’s daughter and now he is looking to undo his wrongs and win back the life he took for granted.

To do so he will have to avoid the price on his head and the many people who wish to kill him; the authorities, the governor’s private army and citizens who search the frontiers desperately looking to claim his price.

His first obstacle toward redemption is the governor’s daughter, his hostage and only company. Her many followers and suitors are the most determined searchers of all.

The novel includes many complex characters with intertwining pasts and eventually futures too. It is a story of redemption, forgiveness and turning toward the frontier as a place to start anew. Despite those themes this novel is still very much a romance, pushing the plot over the edge and the characters into danger in a mess that only true love and jealousy.

Love changes our protagonist in a deep and scary way. His emotions lead to violence and confrontation pushing the plot ahead at a very fast pace. The language is highly descriptive painting scenes of the west into our imaginations. The author successfully describes the intricate and compelling journeys our main characters go through while still creating a fun and action packed storyline.

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