Hey, cowboys, recommend me some Westerns

stustaff · 10-23-2008, 11:08 AM

I dont think I have ever read a Western!? which is strange as I love this Genre of Film.

I guess I want ones that have that skilled at violence dark character who finds redemption in stepping in against the odds to actually do something good against their normal behaviours.

Any suggestions gratefully received

Taylor514ce · 10-23-2008, 11:31 AM

I very much liked "The Lonesome Gods" by Louis L'amour. It's available as an e-book. The leading character isn't quite "dark", but has some dark qualities and has to come to terms with his environment in order to survive. It's been a long while since I read it, but the protagonist definitely had to overcome the odds, change his concept of "normal", and also there was, as is important in Westerns, a strong "good guys win in the end" finish.

Slite · 10-23-2008, 11:38 AM

Hmmmm, speaking of westerns....

I read in my (somewhat distant) youth, a series of western novels about two "drifters" in the old west who always got into a pickle someway or another. But they always managed to come out on top due to their fast hands with a gun and fists of steel blah blah blah... you know the schtick.

But I can't for my life remember what the heck that series was called. It wasn't "great" litterature in any way, but a fun read nonetheless. Anyone that can possibly come up with an idea of what series I am refering too? Here in sweden the 2 main characters was called Bill and Ben.

Taylor514ce · 10-23-2008, 11:39 AM

Are you sure the characters aren't socks? Never mind.

Dave Berk · 10-23-2008, 11:45 AM

I don't know if that's what you're looking for, because it's not exactly a western, but Gemmell has the Jerusalem Man Series, which would fit the part about "dark character who finds redemption in stepping in against the odds to actually do something good against their normal behaviours". If it offers any incentive - the hero does use guns

.

Actually, any of Gemmell books would do. They all seem to weave this subject (flawed hero finding redemption through great acts) into the story even when it isn't the story main focus. In particular try the waylander series.

Also Stephen King The Gunslinger (part one of the Dark Tower Series). I didn't like how the series turned out, but many do and you might. Anyway, it certainly fit the bill.

Hope this helps.

Stanart · 10-23-2008, 03:19 PM

It's been a long time since I read any, but I enjoyed most of Louis Lamour's books. But for a really unforgettable western I'd recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

slayda · 10-23-2008, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanart

It's been a long time since I read any, but I enjoyed most of Louis Lamour's books. But for a really unforgettable western I'd recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

I agree with both statements but I sure wish I could forget "The Lonesome Dove" & wish I hadn't wasted the time to read it. However, that said, many people really liked it.

While not exactly a western, it has a western flavor - "The Last of the Breed" by Louis L'Amour. It is a modern story of an Indian who was a pilot in the US Air Force who was captured by Soviets and escaped on foot across Siberia to and via kayak to Alaska. Has a lot of the "living off the land" type of things you might find in a western.

Also Tony Hillerman writes a pretty good modern day western detective stories with a Navajo detective solving cases on the reservation.

stustaff · 10-24-2008, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Berk

I don't know if that's what you're looking for, because it's not exactly a western, but Gemmell has the Jerusalem Man Series, which would fit the part about "dark character who finds redemption in stepping in against the odds to actually do something good against their normal behaviours". If it offers any incentive - the hero does use guns

.

Actually, any of Gemmell books would do. They all seem to weave this subject (flawed hero finding redemption through great acts) into the story even when it isn't the story main focus. In particular try the waylander series.

Also Stephen King The Gunslinger (part one of the Dark Tower Series). I didn't like how the series turned out, but many do and you might. Anyway, it certainly fit the bill.

Hope this helps.

Thanks Dave it was me reccomending Gemmel in the Scifi/fantasy thread that made me create this thread

Im a big Gemmel fan and am aware that I like the flawed hero genre so I started this western thread, If I hadnt already read them they'd be a great reccomendation.

Thanks all,
My Dad has some Lois L'amour so might pick one of those up but not really seeing anything that appeals yet.

Dr. Drib · 10-24-2008, 08:14 AM

Go to our free ebooks here on MobileRead and filter for "Westerns" and zippo-bingo-wham-a-bamma-ding-dong.....you'll find a number of westerns.

I've assembled quite a few myself that are available here.

Have fun.

Don

tcv · 10-24-2008, 09:37 AM

This is going to be a stupid question. Brace yourselves...

What is the typical western? I've never been much for the movies, although I've seen some that I liked. Is the genre all about Romance In The Dusty West? Is it good guy vs. bad guy? How can you sum up the genre?

m

stustaff · 10-24-2008, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

Go to our free ebooks here on MobileRead and filter for "Westerns" and zippo-bingo-wham-a-bamma-ding-dong.....you'll find a number of westerns.

I've assembled quite a few myself that are available here.

Have fun.

Don

I always for get that! and feedbooks havent looked there either!

any recommended favourites Don?

stustaff · 10-24-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcv

This is going to be a stupid question. Brace yourselves...

What is the typical western? I've never been much for the movies, although I've seen some that I liked. Is the genre all about Romance In The Dusty West? Is it good guy vs. bad guy? How can you sum up the genre?

m

I think Western sits at the same level as Sci-fi or fantasy!

e.g. you can go Sci-Fi>comedy or Sci.fi>Action or Sci-fi-Romance

so You could have Western>romantic Western>action Western>detective etc

BookishDreamer · 10-24-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcv

This is going to be a stupid question. Brace yourselves...

What is the typical western? I've never been much for the movies, although I've seen some that I liked. Is the genre all about Romance In The Dusty West? Is it good guy vs. bad guy? How can you sum up the genre?

m

Typical western? Take a look at wikipedia's explanation. I didn't realize there were so many sub-genres.

Maybe it's time for me to re-read Riders of the Purple Sage.

Dreamer

DixieGal · 10-24-2008, 11:56 AM

So, Stustaff, are ya reading yet? What did you start with?

igorsk · 10-24-2008, 07:50 PM

When I was a kid I liked the genre quite a lot. The authors I remember the most were Thomas Mayne Reid and Fenimore Cooper.

10-23-2008, 11:08 AM	#1
stustaff Wizard Posts: 1,055 Karma: 2110 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Derbyshire UK Device: sony reader PRS505 and 600	Hey, cowboys, recommend me some Westerns I dont think I have ever read a Western!? which is strange as I love this Genre of Film. I guess I want ones that have that skilled at violence dark character who finds redemption in stepping in against the odds to actually do something good against their normal behaviours. Any suggestions gratefully received

10-23-2008, 11:31 AM	#2
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	I very much liked "The Lonesome Gods" by Louis L'amour. It's available as an e-book. The leading character isn't quite "dark", but has some dark qualities and has to come to terms with his environment in order to survive. It's been a long while since I read it, but the protagonist definitely had to overcome the odds, change his concept of "normal", and also there was, as is important in Westerns, a strong "good guys win in the end" finish. Last edited by Taylor514ce; 10-23-2008 at 11:33 AM.

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10-23-2008, 11:38 AM	#3
Slite Icanhasdonuts? Posts: 2,837 Karma: 532407 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mölnbo, Sweden Device: Kobo Aura 2nd edition, Kobo Clara HD	Hmmmm, speaking of westerns.... I read in my (somewhat distant) youth, a series of western novels about two "drifters" in the old west who always got into a pickle someway or another. But they always managed to come out on top due to their fast hands with a gun and fists of steel blah blah blah... you know the schtick. But I can't for my life remember what the heck that series was called. It wasn't "great" litterature in any way, but a fun read nonetheless. Anyone that can possibly come up with an idea of what series I am refering too? Here in sweden the 2 main characters was called Bill and Ben.

10-23-2008, 11:39 AM	#4
Taylor514ce Actively passive. Posts: 2,042 Karma: 478376 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: US Device: Sony PRS-505/LC	Are you sure the characters aren't socks? Never mind.

10-23-2008, 11:45 AM	#5
Dave Berk Fanatic Posts: 574 Karma: 138556 Join Date: May 2006 Device: PRS505	I don't know if that's what you're looking for, because it's not exactly a western, but Gemmell has the Jerusalem Man Series, which would fit the part about "dark character who finds redemption in stepping in against the odds to actually do something good against their normal behaviours". If it offers any incentive - the hero does use guns . Actually, any of Gemmell books would do. They all seem to weave this subject (flawed hero finding redemption through great acts) into the story even when it isn't the story main focus. In particular try the waylander series. Also Stephen King The Gunslinger (part one of the Dark Tower Series). I didn't like how the series turned out, but many do and you might. Anyway, it certainly fit the bill. Hope this helps.

10-23-2008, 03:19 PM	#6
Stanart Addict Posts: 223 Karma: 7385 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central California Device: Handspring Visor, Sony PRS-500 Reader	It's been a long time since I read any, but I enjoyed most of Louis Lamour's books. But for a really unforgettable western I'd recommend Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

10-24-2008, 08:14 AM	#9
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,613 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	Go to our free ebooks here on MobileRead and filter for "Westerns" and zippo-bingo-wham-a-bamma-ding-dong.....you'll find a number of westerns. I've assembled quite a few myself that are available here. Have fun. Don

10-24-2008, 09:37 AM	#10
tcv Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 596 Join Date: Oct 2006	This is going to be a stupid question. Brace yourselves... What is the typical western? I've never been much for the movies, although I've seen some that I liked. Is the genre all about Romance In The Dusty West? Is it good guy vs. bad guy? How can you sum up the genre? m

10-24-2008, 11:56 AM	#14
DixieGal Hi There! Posts: 7,473 Karma: 2930523 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ft Lauderdale Device: iPad	So, Stustaff, are ya reading yet? What did you start with?

10-24-2008, 07:50 PM	#15
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	When I was a kid I liked the genre quite a lot. The authors I remember the most were Thomas Mayne Reid and Fenimore Cooper.