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2022 FWC: April-June Shane by Jack Schaefer
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I'll definitely be reading this one - I've seen the movie, but never read the book.
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I am 50% through already. I have to say I didn’t know what to expect but I am throughly enjoying it. It reminds me a little of The Virginian by Owen Wistar but a rawer version. One thing I can say about NTLTRC is that every month there is always a good surprise waiting for me in at least one of their choices. 😊
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I do like the FWC that are not gunslinger westerns!
Finished Shane this morning, its a short, fast and very enjoyable read. Reminded me of the westerns I watched when I was a kid - its comforting throughout as you know that good will triumph, and the bad guys will get what's coming to them!I'm really enjoying this thread - I've already downloaded the next book to my Kindle, and the fourth and final book is sitting on my shelf.
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Much better than the bad guys winning for sure!
Great story. The writing is clear and descriptive, the characters are sympathetic and interesting, and the plot builds nicely. I really liked the POV from Bob because it makes simplifies the story and brings the focus on the main characters. I agree with John, it is a comforting read because Shane always triumphs.
I got the critical edition from the library and skimmed the interview with the author and a couple of the commentaries. The author planned out his themes and worked to make the writing direct and spare but meaningful.
I haven't read many westerns but I thought the writing style of this one was better than most.
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I tried my public library, 4 Overdrive libraries, and Hoopla and couldn't get the book.
Rosemarie wrote: "I agree with your comments, Natalie. This is a great story."I've had similar problems with all 4 of the FWC books, Blueberry, although I've now managed to get them all.
I guess it reflects the fact that Westerns as a genre have largely fallen out of favour. I remember that the local library, and the second-hand bookstores I haunted as a teenager always had a good selection, but that's never the case now.
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If interested: Here is a free PDF link, it is a secure link as well.
https://fdocuments.in/document/jack-s...
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Most westerns to me are of the old toxic western stereotypes of glorification of guns, alcohol and destruction of a way of life that was a struggle in itself. So to find westerns like we are reading this year makes it so much more likely to understand the tale the Author is writing and not make it just about shooting and revenge.
I hope that makes sense.
Lesle wrote: "Our Half Price Book store that is in Reynoldsburg always has a wide variety of paperback westerns from modern to classic. Most westerns to me are of the old toxic western stereotypes of glorifica..."
I imagine they'll have remained popular for longer in the States, and I'm glad to hear that, Lesle.
There have always been - and there still are - a number of good quality authors of Westerns, but the genre was probably a victim of its own success; the demand was so great that a lot of trash got written as well.
This thread has reminded me that my favourites westerns as a young teenager were the "Sudden" novels by Oliver Strange. I remember them fondly, and might re-read one or two, but according to Wiki "A plot line typically revolves around Sudden arriving in a town that either has several unlawful elements or recent conflicts and mysterious deaths. Sudden earns the respect of the townspeople, fights against all odds, defeats the villains, protects the wronged, and then rides out into the sunset to continue his search"....so I might sneak them into the house in a brown paper bag!
Westerns seem to be a genre of the past. My grandpa loved John Wayne movies and an aunt loved Louis L'Amour novels. I haven't heard of Oliver Strange but I'll have to look into those.
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I totally agree John. Trash is a good word. lol
I will look into the Oliver Strange novels too! Thanks
Lesle wrote: "Blueberry wrote: "I tried my public library, 4 Overdrive libraries, and Hoopla and couldn't get the book."If interested: Here is a free PDF link, it is a secure link as well.
https://fdocuments...."
Thank you, Leslie!
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OMG. I want to say a few things about Shane but I'm respecting people who may not have read it yet. I will say tho that I gave it 5 emotional stars.
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Shane is a very distinguished character.
Do not forget this is open through June! Anyone else have plans to read this one?
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Anyone else having this problem?
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I really enjoyed this read. Not a true gunslinger western read which is ok with me.
Shane tries his best to not be what he once was. Remorse? Does it really stop who you really are? Can one change what one was?
Shane in my book is very good and worth the read.
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Figured it out... √ Hide entire review because of spoilers. Had to uncheck this box? I do not recall that before.
Link to review if interested:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Never too Late to Read Classics
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Shane is set in 1889 Wyoming, when the Wyoming Territory was still open to the Homestead Act of 1862. It is narrated by a homesteader's son, Bob Starrett. Shane is about a lone man of high principle,who gets caught up in a range war between the cattlmen and farmers. He sides with the farmers when the cattlemen hire a professional gunfighter named Wilson, a man against which the farmers have no chance. Shane alone must save the day. Frontier justice at its best.
https://archive.org/details/jack-scha...
Adapted into the 1953 film starring Alan Ladd.
"This was Jack Schaefer’s first novel. He preferred in later years to write stories less mythic and more attuned to the real West.... Although he is little known, and the volume of his work is small, he surely ranks as one of this nation’s greatest."
The novel has frequently been honored by the Western Writers of America as one of the best of the modern genre.
Ready for the next western? A short read at 135 pages!