Tag Archives: Westerns

All Gold Canyon by Jack London

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

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”.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

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

Thoughts

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 PennyThe Last Thunder Song ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Bad Penny by B.M. Bower

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

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.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

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

Thoughts

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 DivideAll Gold Canyon ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

On the Divide by Willa Cather

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: On the Divide
Author: Willa Cather
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: 12th May 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: It would sometimes have been hard to distinguish the men from their evil geniuses but for one fact, the men were always grave and were either toiling or praying, while the devil’s were always smiling and dancing.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

It’s hard making a life on the divide.

Thoughts

This was an easy, light read. One that I didn’t really think much about after turning the final page. And one that I seriously enjoyed while reading. There was just something light and soft about this western short story.

I really liked the description of the western setting throughout this short story. Unlike the other westerns I’ve read thus far in the The Mammoth Book of Westerns collection, the description was much, much more vivid. Far more beautiful and intense. And just downright gorgeous.

There’s really not all that much I have to say about this short story. It was nice, fun, easy and light. It wasn’t all that unforgettable. But it was the kind of short story that I like to read late at night.

<- The Bride Comes to Yellow SkyBad Penny ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky by Stephen Crane

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky
Author: Stephen Crane
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis) & The Red Badge of Courage and Other Stories (Stephen Crane)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 7th May 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She wore a dress of blue cashmere, with small reservations of velvet here and there and with steel buttons abounding.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

He’s gone and got himself married. But now he has to return home to a questionable welcome…

Thoughts

Still not all that into Westerns, but I really didn’t mind this short story. Maybe the genre is growing on me. Maybe it was just a good story, I don’t know what it was… but I quite liked it.

Not knowing much about westerns, I can’t be certain, but I got the feeling that somehow getting married was the end of a cowboys “fun” days. The days in which he could be battled and relied upon by his mates. I may be wrong, but that was the overwhelming feeling that I got from this short story. It wasn’t necessarily the message that I wanted to receive, but it was definitely an interesting one. And one that I will now look for amongst other western stories.

Although I’m still not completely sold on Westerns, I did enjoy this short story. I do have another Stephen Crane book sitting on my shelves somewhere. So I’m intrigued to see if it is the writer or just my getting used to the genre that really sold this for me…

<- The Caballero’s WayOn the Divide ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Caballero’s Way by O. Henry

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: The Caballero’s Way
Author: O. Henry
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: 20th April 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Go in and rest, and let me water your horse and stake him with the long rope.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Travelling along the Caballeros’ Way can be dangerous. Especially when even the woman you love betrays you.

Thoughts

I’m not really all that great on Western lore. But one thing that I do recognise / know is this name of the Kid. I’m not really sure if this refers to one individual, multiple, or what… but it was certainly nice to have a figure that I associate with Westerns appearing in the pages of this short story. I may not have quite known what this story was about, mostly because I kept fazing out throughout it, but I certainly appreciated the appearance of a well-known characterisation.

This was kind of a tragic little story. At first, I thought that the Kid was going to retire and live happily ever after with his woman. Particularly when it states that that’s exactly what he wants. But, alas, that was most certainly not meant to be. Instead, there is a sad ending filled with misunderstandings and manipulations. It worked well within the Western tale, but it was not the happy ending I kind of wanted.

So far in my reading of Westerns, I’m enjoying the simplicity of the stories. They’re nothing that I feel the need to rave about, but they’re a pleasant way to spend a few moments of time, just escaping the realities of day to day stressors.

<- A Sergeant of the Orphan TroopThe Bride Comes to Yellow Sky ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

A Sergeant of the Orphan Troop by Frederic Remington

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: A Sergeant of the Orphan Troop
Author: Frederic Remington
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: 6th April 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: A late arrival came up, breathing heavily, dropped his gun, and springing up and down, yelled, “Be jabbers, I have got among om at last!”

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

A western adventure that takes you away to a whole new place.

Thoughts

Admittedly, I’m not hugely into westerns. They’re just not my forte. Which means that it’s been an interesting journey thus far reading a collection of western short stories. And I’m finding them surprisingly enjoyable. This story being the perfect example of that. There is something fun and engaging about the writing and it’s a nice little adventure. However, I don’t really have all that much to say about it… it was just… fun.

A Sergeant of the Orphan Troop was more what I expected out of a western – cowboys and Indians kind of style. When you say western, that’s kind of what I picture. Probably not quite accurate. But still…

This is an easy, simple read and a nice way to depart from the realities of the world for a little while. However, it isn’t anything insanely ground breaking and soul shaking.

<- Way Out WestThe Caballero’s Way ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Way Out West by Mark Twain

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: Way Out West
Author: Mark Twain
In: The Mammoth Book of Westerns (Jon E. Lewis)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Westerns
Dates read: 31st March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: First we left the dogs behind; then we passed a jackass-rabbit; then we overtook a coyote, and were gaining on an antelope when the rotten girths let go and threw me about thirty yards off to the left, and as the saddle went down over the horse’s rump he gave it a lift with his heels that sent it more than four hundred yards up in the air, I wish I may die in a minute if he didn’t.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Welcome to the Wild, Wild, West. Way out in the Wild, Wild West.

Thoughts

There is just something great about the way that Mark Twain writes. His use of language, his very realistic storylines… I love his style of writing. And even with this western short story, I was more swept away by the use of the language than the actual storyline.

I didn’t feel like there was a huge plot to this short story. More, I found that it was incredibly descriptive of the setting of the western world. Since I haven’t actually read a western before, it was a great introduction to the world. After all, one of the biggest part of westerns is the setting and reality in which they’re found…

As an introduction to Westerns, this story is kind of great. And fun. I can’t wait to see what more I discover about Westerns and the stories that are told.

<- The Outcasts of Poker FlatA Sergeant of the Orphan Troop ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of westerns book cover

Title: The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Author: Bret Harte
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: 9th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: He returned to his pocket the handkerchief with which he had been whipping away the red dust of Poker Flat from his neat boots, and quietly discharged his mind of any further conjecture.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

They don’t quite fit in anywhere, even with each other at their gambling houses and saloons in Poker Flat.

Thoughts

This is my first western short story. And it was an incredibly interesting experience. One that I was kind of not expecting. Although, I have next to no experience with actual Westerns… I’ve read some fantasy stories with a western spin… but nothing which actually falls completely under this genre heading… and it was a good introduction.

I like that in a collection of westerns, the first one features gambling and outcasts. Actually, the entire time I was reading this, the song The Gambler by Kenny Rogers was running through my head on repeat. There is just something about that song and this story which seemed to perfectly suit one another. Something that had that same, great atmosphere that made this a really enjoyable experience.

This was a fun, easy read. But it wasn’t overly memorable. It was fun, easy and enjoyable. But it also wasn’t an amazing, earth shaking storyline. Not one that I’ll necessarily pick up in years to come. But a great way to spend a few moments escaping the world and reality.

<- The Mammoth Book of WesternsWay Out West ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

The Ghost of Leadville by Jeanne C. Stein

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: The Ghost of Leadville
Author: Jeanne C. Stein
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep) & Vampires: The Recent Undead (Paula Guran)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Westerns, Wild west
Dates read: 29th October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: We do not.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

She’s lived in Leadville before. But it was a different time, a different place, and full of fond memories. The Wild West meets vampires and a life full of regret.

Thoughts

This is a beautiful, bittersweet short story about loss and the possibilities of a future. It’s kind of sweet, incredibly nostalgic and a nice little read to occupy your time for about 10 minutes. I loved the narrative voice of this tale – she’s waxing nostaligic about her past love, but not in a way that makes you completely regret her past.

I thoroughly enjoyed the time travelling aspects of this – it starts in the present, flickers to the past, and then shudders back into the present again. Giving the reader not only an insight into modern-day vampiric life, but also the joys and tragedies of her past as she works towards a more interesting future. Or at least one that she’s a little happier with and more involved in.

I loved the fact that this is a Western Vampire story. you have Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid. A saloon. And a prostitute. All aspects of stories which I quite enjoyed and want to find out more about in the future…

 <- Eternity Embraced ReviewThe Vampire, the Witch and the Yenko Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Perdition by Caitlin Kittredge

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: Perdition
Author: Caitlin Kittredge
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Vampires, Westerns
Dates read: 1st April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She wore breeches, like a man, with a man’s jacket over a woman’s shirt.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Kate is on the trail of Doc, an old lover and the man who introduced her to the realm of vampires. But, when she finds him, will she able to do what she has to for a happily ever after?

Thoughts

I’ve never read a vampire western. And I found that it was something that I thoroughly enjoyed and would like to see a lot more of. To be honest, I haven’t really read or been exposed to many westerns, so they hold a fascination for me regardless. You add in a taste of the paranormal and a strong woman intent on upholding a promise… it’s the kind of story that is going to just suck me in.

Sometimes I struggle with flashbacks and jumps in the timeline. This wasn’t one of those times. By adding the date before each of the flashbacks and changing the formatting, I was able to follow more of what was happening. It helped to fill in all of the backstory, whilst continuing forwards with the rest of the narrative and it was done brilliantly. Actually, it kind of felt like each flashback was Kate reminiscing as she drew closer and closer to the end of her long journey. Closer and closer to the moment when she would truly have to face up to the past.

 <- Le Cirque de la Nuit ReviewDeliver Us From Evil Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository