Litsy

Riders of the Purple Sage: A Novel | Zane Grey

so-so

It's done! Apparently knowing a book exists outside copyright and can be fetched at any time for free by accessing Project Gutenberg or YouTube audiobooks means I do not make it a priority to actually finish it. With fairly LARGE caveats: the racist stereotypes of indigenous people tossed around in casual speech (no actual indigenous characters), 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? and, despite the frequent attempts to note there are good Mormons, the pretty obvious bias of the writing against Mormons, and occasional condescending, patriarchal view of female characters, I was still rather impressed with this book.
The pacing and storyline is compelling, the characters are well fleshed out. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 3/? Up until the last moment, you don't know for certain whether certain people will manage to stay together or live (happily ever after?), the stakes are heightened by various deaths and losses throughout the story. There are also a number of mysteries in the murky backgrounds of characters so you get dramatic reveals. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 4/? As an atheist, I can only be happy to see a narrative where a woman who generously helped her community, opposed intolerance to aid the less fortunate, and did not surrender her agency to an undesirable partner, then recognizes the corrupt, cult-like, oppressive nature of the religion she was born and raised in, and took steps to separate her faith from observance of religious doctrine, 4d

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Robotswithpersonality 5/? especially wrestling with questioning the revering of any religious leader as something more holy and powerful than any human should demand. I could have happily seen the God stuff done away with completely, but it's apparent that wasn't an option that occurred to Grey. I wish I had a better historical idea of whether this book was considered hateful towards a religious sect, 4d

Robotswithpersonality 6/? an example of the prevailing attitude of the time, or groundbreaking in its own right.
While Jane's internal struggle, the discussion of religion, is the primary theme, there was a good deal of exploration around the theme of outcasts/isolation/loneliness (I can only imagine how many Wild West characters really needed a hug) and found family. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 7/? Also, people figuring out where they draw the line in their own personal ethics, outside of scripture, especially in relation to looking after those they care about. Morally grey? 🤔 There did seem to be a lot of shooting at the end there.
I'd also like to take a moment to heap praise on Zane Grey's ability to describe a landscape and the experience of riding a horse. The atmosphere! 😍 4d

Robotswithpersonality 8/? The colour and the light as it falls on rock and sage, reverence for paradisiacal safe havens where things are green and wildlife abounds. There are some lovely illustrations (paintings?) that come even with the Project Gutenberg digital version, but they don't hold a candle to Grey's words. 4d

Robotswithpersonality 9/? And yeah, the way horses are described, the chases and escapes, this is as close as I'll ever come to being a horse girl. Sadly, not every beautiful beastie makes it out. [The dogs live. 🙏🏻]
It may have taken me seven months to get back to it, but I'm glad I read it. Will I pick up another Zane Grey? Maybe. Maybe I'll read the synopsis first, this time. 😅 4d

Robotswithpersonality 10/10 I think it's fair to say my hunch that I could enjoy early Westerns has proved correct.
⚠️Mention of animal cruelty, animal death, period typical racist stereotypes, misogyny 4d

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BookDadGirlDad

Sackett's Land | Louis L'Amour

pick

Classic Louis L'Amour. Men were men. Women were as tough as the men. Grit, a dream, and a woman to live for and love. This is a great story. I'm looking forward to the entire series.

29 likes

BookDadGirlDad

Sackett's Land | Louis L'Amour

Been reading a lot that has taxed my brain. It's time to relax with some good history based fiction. I'm pretty sure I own every L'Amour book. I should probably work on reading them.

LiseWorks I read all of them in my 20s, loved them 3w

33 likes1 comment

TheBookgeekFrau

Shane | Wendell Minor, Jack Schaefer

so-so

I liked the characters, I liked the plot, I didn't like the annoyingly obscure writing. And I kept waiting for Shane to say 'Go ahead. Make my day.' 😂

8/80

#ReadingMyTBR #Read2025 @DieAReader

39 likes

The_Penniless_Author

Deadwood | Pete Dexter

pick

For years, I was nervous to try this one, as Deadwood is maybe my favorite TV series of all time. But having read Paris Trout and realizing what a great writer Pete Dexter is, I figured I was in safe hands (and after all, the book came first). David Milch may claim his series has nothing to do with the novel; I'm not sure I buy it, but there are major differences in the story structure and characters' personalities. Like with the show, 👇

The_Penniless_Author ...the dialogue really stands out here. Where the show's is florid, however - Shakespearean and profanity-laced - the novel's is simple and direct, deceptively profound. The vignette style might put off some people, but I thought it was perfect for centering the town itself as the main character. 2mo

Ruthiella I‘ve only read Paris Trout. Great writing but such a bleak story. 2mo

Suet624 I had no idea Deadwood was a book! I'm stacking it! (edited) 1mo

31 likes1 stack add3 comments

JanuarieTimewalker13

Dead Man's Walk: A Novel | Larry McMurtry

pick

My goodness I loved this book!! So varied and interesting. I‘m so happy I didn‘t stop reading at Lonesome Dove. On to Comanche Moon!!

JanuarieTimewalker13 8/9/24 Book 18 Pub date 1995 Artwork on cover is Thomas Moran “Cliffs of the Upper Colorado River, Wyoming Territory 1882. 477 pages (edited) 6mo

bookaholic1 I am listening to THE streets of Loredo..it's good 6mo

JanuarieTimewalker13 @bookaholic1 I love this series with all my heart. Picked up Comanche Moon today at the library. I just completed the Lonesome Dove TV series with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall also. 6mo

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JanuarieTimewalker13 @bookaholic1 SOL was very good…but I missed Gus. When you get to Dead Man‘s Walk you will see him young, although, still LD is my fave. 6mo

Blueberry 💙 6mo

bookaholic1 Didn't know there was a series..thanks for the info 6mo

JanuarieTimewalker13 @bookaholic1 you‘re welcome!! 6mo

37 likes7 comments

CrystalE02

The Daybreakers | Louis L'Amour

pick

I enjoyed reading this book. It belongs to my grandma, she has always loved Westerns. I enjoyed the characters and loved the plot of the book. I rated this book a 3 out of 5 stars.

15 likes

Coffeymuse

Broken Gun (Revised) | Louis L'Amour

Finally got my June #DoubleSpin #Bingo read!

Now I can start on July's spins! 😂

@TheAromaOfBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Looking great!! 7mo

19 likes1 comment

Pedrocamacho

God's Country: A Novel | Percival Everett

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Per the usual for Everett, this book is amazing. It is so strange how he can make you laugh out loud about such difficult topics. This is one his earlier titles and it seems readymade for a movie adaptation; it is sprawling and the characters are always on the move. However, Dirt Marder might be a tough pill to swallow for many. I suppose that is why it hasn‘t made it to the screen.

vivastory The scene where the bandits have him dig a hole for him & his horse 🙃 😂 8mo

Pedrocamacho I know, @vivastory ! And then he continues to “dig his own grave” by insulting people that could help him 😂 8mo

vivastory @Pedrocamacho So good. Also, when they were talking about going to Cahoots lol (edited) 8mo

Pedrocamacho @vivastory Yeah, he was working on a lot of levels 😊 I mean, the dude‘s name is Marder 🤣 8mo

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