Tag Archives: The Mammoth Book of Westerns

When You Carry the Star by Ernest Haycox

August 8, 2020Book ReviewErnest Haycox, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: When You Carry the Star
Author: Ernest Haycox
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 16th July 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The leagues rolled away to the distance, southwesterly into a horizon unbroken, northwesterly to a lien of hills even now beginning to fade behind an autumn haze.

When Linza’s friend begins to go off the beaten track it’s up to him, as the Sheriff, to hunt him down. But that’s what you do when you carry the Star.

This is a short story that features a friend hunting a friend. A man who is forced to do the distasteful in the name of justice and honour. It’s a little sad to be honest. I can’t imagine having to man hunt a friend, but it’s also got that quintessential feeling of a western – one that focuses on good guys and bad guys and where things are just plain right and wrong. Black and white.

I like the descriptions of Denton going “mad”. How he suddenly flipped his lid and went against everything and every code that he honoured. It was a little bit tragic and harsh. But I did like how the description of something that could have been heat stroke was described.

This story really focuses on the honour and power of a lawman. It highlights how the men of the law were focused upon protecting and upholding the law. Even if it means hunting down and killing ones friend. Which, admittedly was a little bit of a tragic ending…

<- The Wind and the Snow of Winter

The Young Warrior ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Wind and the Snow of Winter by Walter Van Tilburg Clark

July 29, 2020Book ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Westerns, Walter Van Tilburg Clark, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: The Wind and the Snow of Winter
Author: Walter Van Tilburg Clark
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 29th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: He could still rembmer clearly, though, the winter he had stayed out on purpose, clear into January.

He’s an old cowboy travelling to a town he once knew very well. But what he finds there is not quite as he remembers it…

This short story had some seriously long-winded sentences and paragraphs. It was quite intense in many, many ways due to this lengthy description throughout. It also made the story seem like it was progressing a lot slower than other tales in the The Mammoth Book of Westerns collection. And somehow more descriptive and enthralling… it was a bit of a weird dichotomy because I don’t normally enjoy so many run-on sentences.

I did like the description of the weary old cowboy and the reminiscing. It didn’t have a great, impossible to put down story line. But it did make you feel like you understood the life that would have been lived much, much more. I actually really enjoyed that aspect – it was something that I think will be useful to remember in future western stories.

I didn’t really get the title until the very end. When he finally returns / arrives at his destination. And finds out that a lot of people are dead. You truly appreciate his age and loneliness in this moment. It is a little bittersweet, but kind of beautiful too.

<- Early Americana

When You Carry the Star ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Early Americana by Conrad Richter

July 17, 2020Book ReviewConrad Richter, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: Early Americana
Author: Conrad Richter
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 17th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Their place was back in a gentler land where farmers hever heard of turning a furrow with a rifle lashed to the plough handles and where, on a Sunday morning, his mother used to say, she could still remember the peaceful sound of church bells drifiting across the blue-grass.

Life on the frontier is not always easy. But there is always a beautiful, feminine light at the end of the tunnel.

I really loved the setting description in this short story. Again, being a Western, I wasn’t completely hooked on it. But it was so beautifully described, so that helped to draw me in in a way that many of the other stories in The Mammoth Book of Westerns hasn’t been able to.

I really loved the book ending in this story. It starts with a wedding, and ends with one. Alright, the first wedding has a bit of a tragedy surrounding it… but there is still that fantastic beginning and hope for the future. And you end up finishing this short story with the hope that even if the first wedding ending tragically… there will be a positive ending to the final wedding.

This is one of those short stories that really doesn’t try and glorify the trials of life on the frontier. It is brutal and cruel. And completely tragic. Although, there is a great sense of light at the end of the story.

<- At the Sign of the Last Chance

The Wind and the Snow of Winter ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

At the Sign of the Last Chance by Owen Wister

July 11, 2020Book ReviewOwen Wister, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: At the Sign of the Last Chance
Author: Owen Wister
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 13th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “He oughtn’t,” said Henry.

He’s a western cowboy who has stopped into the Last Chance. What follows is a lot of reminicsing and discussing of those that they all know.

This is a nice little western short story. All written in the first person POV. Something that I quite enjoy when I’m reading – after all, it helps you to situate yourself within the characters’ mindset so much quicker than any other POV.

This story is basically a huge gossip fest. It didn’t have that feeling of beginning, middle and end that I’m somewhat used to. But rather, it was a series of stories and anecdotes about the people that are known. Kind of more realistic because of this – after all, that’s how conversations go in real life. And to a degree, how stories are told.

I really enjoyed the language of this short story. It wasn’t necessarily incredibly engaging as a tale to read – but it was really approachable. It was nice to read a short story that I didn’t have to think too hard about and reread sentences to understand what was going on. It was just… simple. Pleasantly simple.

<- Wine on the Desert

Early Americana ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Wine on the Desert by Max Brand

July 5, 2020Book ReviewMax Brand, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: Wine on the Desert
Author: Max Brand
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 3rd June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: In the middle of the rainless season the well ran dry but, long before that, Tony had every drop of the water pumped up into a score of tanks made of cheap corrugated iron.

What happens when your flask is filled with wine instead of water? And you’re in the middle of the desert.

I’m a little vague on the storyline of this short story. But I seem to be finding that the case with all the westerns I’m reading in the Mammoth Book of Westerns collection. There is just something about it that doesn’t stick in my swiss cheese brain after I’ve turned the last page.

Yet, I still found enjoyment while reading this. Although, after sitting down to write this review, I’ve realised I should jot down notes for the remainder of the short stories in this collection… I’m enjoying the act of reading them. But then have not much to say when it comes down to it.

The aspect of this short story that I did love was the idea of accidentally having wine in the desert. Instead of water. I like the stories in which people are kind of moronic and do moronic things. Things which could lead to death, but when they don’t are funny…

<- The Ranger

At the Sign of the Last Chance ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Ranger by Zane Grey

July 2, 2020Book ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westerns, Zane Greyskyebjenner

Title: The Ranger
Author: Zane Grey
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 2nd June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: It was fight.

The Ranger is beginning to think about settling down and finding his own happily ever after. But that might just not be possible.

I’ve always imagined a ranger / cowboys life as being something dangerous and risky. Particularly when you think of the old-style westerns. And I always imagine it as something that you would want to escape… which this story kind of backs up. It’s a short story that is all about getting out of the life and finding your own happily ever after.

I did really like this whole vibe about gaining your own happily ever after. About finding your own ending that you an live with and treasure. One that is kind, tame and involves a long, well lived life. That’s not to say that he does or does not get that in this story. But I like that it is the desire.

All in all, I enjoyed this short story. It was easy, accessible and kind of hopeful. There was a fight, a love interest and a journey. Just what you need in a little departure from the pressures of reality.

<- Under the Lion’s Paw

Wine on the Desert ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Under the Lion’s Paw by Hamlin Garland

June 23, 2020Book ReviewHamlin Garland, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: Under the Lion’s Paw
Author: Hamlin Garland
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 24th May 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I was working’ for myself an’ babes –

A cute, easy read of a Western to whil away the hours.

It doesn’t seem to matter how many westerns I read, I’m still not getting that into them. But I’ll keep trying.

This wasn’t a bad short story. I remember enjoying it while reading it… but that’s all I can remember.

Like I literally can’t remember what happened or what it was about. So this is the review that I’m writing.

Pleasant but forgettable.

<- The Last Thunder Song

The Ranger ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Last Thunder Song by John G. Neihardt

June 19, 2020Book ReviewThe Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: The Last Thunder Song
Author: John G. Neihardt
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 20th May 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Very few have recognized it as such; there was so little noise along with it.

An interesting mix of cowboys and Native Americans. Rituals and practices.

In this collection, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, this is the first of the short stories that has a very obviously Native American influence. Which was incredibly refreshing. It was nice to have a Western which didn’t feature cowboys and the such. Although, it still did… just not as overwhelmingly so. Overall, this was quite a nice, differently featured short story.

I was hoping that as I read through this collection, the genre of westerns would begin to grow on me… so far, it hasn’t happened. However, I think that this story made a good attempt. I did enjoy it, I just wasn’t totally enthralled by it.

As with many of the other short stories in this collection, this was a nice, simple and easy read. It was quick and pleasant. But not the kind of story that I plan on reading again and again.

<- All Gold Canyon

Under the Lion’s Paw ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

All Gold Canyon by Jack London

June 16, 2020Book ReviewJack London, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: All Gold Canyon
Author: Jack London
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 19th May 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The man scratched his head perplexedly and looked a few feet up the hill at the manzanita bush that marked approximately the apex of the “V”.

Welcome to All Gold Canyon, the place where dreams can come true… and things get steadily more and more dangerous.

I’ve heard of the name Jack London many times when discussing classic American literature. I’ve never had the pleasure of actually reading any of his work though. So this was a great little hint as to the style and depth of his writing. Still not necessarily keen on Westerns, but most definitely enjoyed the style of his writing.

I’m truly intrigued to try and read more of London’s work after this short story. It was not necessarily filled with content that I find near and dear to me. But it was definitely a better style of writing than I’ve found so far. I really loved the pacing and form.

I would probably read this short story again. There was so much that I felt like I missed, and I would be intrigued to see how a reread would illuminate the story to myself and my crazy literary mind.

<- Bad Penny

The Last Thunder Song ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Bad Penny by B.M. Bower

June 10, 2020Book ReviewB.M. Bower, The Mammoth Book of Westerns, Westernsskyebjenner

Title: Bad Penny
Author: B.M. Bower
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 16th May 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Never twice in the same setting, flitting like huge birds over the range to alight where water and feed were best, those two tents were home to the Flying U boys – a welcome sight when a long day’s work was done.

Penny is just plain bad. Bad at his job. Bad at thinking. Bad at being on the trail. So what happens next?

This is definitely my favourite western short story so far. It was a little bit funny, and featured a man who is somewhat of a moron. And, as morons do… makes everything go wrong that could possibly go wrong. It just had that nice little extra sense of humour in it that I seriously appreciated.

Cattle rustling is kind of an iconic moment in the mythos of westerns. Or really, anything to do with cowboys and cattle. It doesn’t have to be illegal. Partner that with a moron, a stampeded and some whiskey… it was a good way to journey through this short story.

What was more, this was a short story with a bit of a surprise ending. It wasn’t what I expected… but it was certainly a great ending.

<- On the Divide

All Gold Canyon ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

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The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: The Mammoth Book of Westerns

When You Carry the Star by Ernest Haycox

The Wind and the Snow of Winter by Walter Van Tilburg Clark

Early Americana by Conrad Richter

At the Sign of the Last Chance by Owen Wister

Wine on the Desert by Max Brand

The Ranger by Zane Grey

Under the Lion’s Paw by Hamlin Garland

The Last Thunder Song by John G. Neihardt

All Gold Canyon by Jack London

Bad Penny by B.M. Bower