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bundy23's review
4.0
Bleak, depressing western that never bores. Not that it's an easy ride these days but late stage prostate cancer in 1901 sounded fucking awful.
barffalo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Sexual violence
stuedb's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed it, first read western I've read (listened too). Swarthout's descriptions where very detailed and it really brought the book to life.
wallabees's review
2.0
After seeing this on multiple “greatest westerns of all time” lists I had to give it a read.
The writing was not for me. Aside from Books all the characters were one dimensional and only served to move the plot forward. There were some decent spots of introspection from Books and his interactions with the visitors to his death bed were entertaining but outside of those there wasn’t much substance.
The writing was not for me. Aside from Books all the characters were one dimensional and only served to move the plot forward. There were some decent spots of introspection from Books and his interactions with the visitors to his death bed were entertaining but outside of those there wasn’t much substance.
rcollins1701's review
2.0
A rather depressing dirge lamenting the passing of a douche bag's infirmity and the loss of his ability to kill people, swindle, and bed women at his leisure. At least it leaves us with hope that such toxicity won't be passed on to the next generation. Oh, wait. No, it does the opposite.
shoba's review
4.0
Who knew the excitation of cells leads to cancer. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
“I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid-a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same of them.”
“I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid-a-hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I require the same of them.”
shieldbearer's review
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Alright, so I can see why this book is a classic, and there are absolutely elements of it I respect. It's very clearly well researched and the prose directly reflects the time it was written. The way the author writes about Books' illness is also very clearly well researched - down to utilizing spoon theory in all but name, and in ways that surprised me as Books' illness is utilized as the serious matter it would be.
However, there's the sexism. And the blatant antisemitism and racism. I nearly quit reading in the scene where the peddler shows up, but I stuck around because I wanted to see how the plotline with the son resolves. It doesn't. It feels like there's No Ending to the other characters. Once Books dies, we're supposed to disengage and stop caring even though certain plot threads don't really get a resolution.
However, there's the sexism. And the blatant antisemitism and racism. I nearly quit reading in the scene where the peddler shows up, but I stuck around because I wanted to see how the plotline with the son resolves. It doesn't. It feels like there's No Ending to the other characters. Once Books dies, we're supposed to disengage and stop caring even though certain plot threads don't really get a resolution.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual assault
wspence's review
4.0
After reading a biography of Wes Hardin, I had heard about this book as the "shootist" was based on Hardin in terms of how he would handle his guns in his vest. Story was good, but this could have worked as a novella.
My only gripe was the edition of this book. The introduction talks about the film, then goes straight into comparing the endings, with no warning at all. Knowing how the book ends before it even begins is kind of a bummer
My only gripe was the edition of this book. The introduction talks about the film, then goes straight into comparing the endings, with no warning at all. Knowing how the book ends before it even begins is kind of a bummer
t_bone's review
5.0
This is a fabulous little book. Set at the turn of the century, the main character, J. B. Brooks, is the last great gunman of the wild West. But J.B is sick man, in fact he is dying. Worse still, he is dying of natural causes. This is not the way a hard man is supposed to die.
Like all great Westerns, this book is essentially about masculinity. We, by which I mean me, read or watch Westerns because they allow us, by which I mean me, to fantasize about an imaginary time when men were men (and women were mostly prostitutes or worrying Christian housewives). The men are always thrust into difficult situations in which they have to make choices that define the kind of men they are: the good, the bad, the brave, and the cowardly.
The later setting and J.B.'s imminent death from disease means this book departs from the stock Western novel and helps elevate it, along with the writing, to the realm of the excellent. I love my manly men, but also love human frailty. The author's description of J.B's physical deterioration is uncomfortably vivid for anyone who was witnessed someone die in a similar manner, but still I think it is worth reading. J.B.'s relationship with the woman who runs the boarding house he is set to die in and especially his relationship with her son, who is in awe of J.B., also make this book something special. A must read for any fan of the Western and a highly recommended for any fan of good story telling.
Like all great Westerns, this book is essentially about masculinity. We, by which I mean me, read or watch Westerns because they allow us, by which I mean me, to fantasize about an imaginary time when men were men (and women were mostly prostitutes or worrying Christian housewives). The men are always thrust into difficult situations in which they have to make choices that define the kind of men they are: the good, the bad, the brave, and the cowardly.
The later setting and J.B.'s imminent death from disease means this book departs from the stock Western novel and helps elevate it, along with the writing, to the realm of the excellent. I love my manly men, but also love human frailty. The author's description of J.B's physical deterioration is uncomfortably vivid for anyone who was witnessed someone die in a similar manner, but still I think it is worth reading. J.B.'s relationship with the woman who runs the boarding house he is set to die in and especially his relationship with her son, who is in awe of J.B., also make this book something special. A must read for any fan of the Western and a highly recommended for any fan of good story telling.