SOURCE: A GoodReads win. An uncorrected Proof copy, whilst Amazon details as always are available by clicking on the book title I have been asked not to quote directly from the book.
MY THOUGHTS: Though narrated by his adult self, the novel, set in 1930's America, is in fact the childhood story of Thomas Walker.
A debut novel described as a 'Western-style adventure' which will 'enthral fans of Cold Mountain and True Grit'. Not having read many 'Westerns' (my main experience of the genre being the 1950's 'Cowboys and Indians' novels read by my grandfather and father in law) and never having seen either of these films I wasn't sure just what exactly to expect.
Whilst this had everything commonly associated with the 'Western' (dust, horses, camp fires, disused mines, stores that sell pretty much everything, guns - much of the story revolves around the newly invented Colt revolver) it was so, so much more.
Beautifully written. The Appalachian frontier towns with all their poverty, violence and religious fervour were wonderfully described. The details of twelve year old Thomas' journey as he travels through the open plains of America to his New York home exceptional. The Road To Reckoning is a real coming of age story with a big heart.
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9 comments:
I don't read many westerns, but do enjoy the genre in film. I may watch out for this one in the future.
True Grit (along with several others by the same author) has been on my shelf for years. Both movies are wonderful (the original with John Wayne and the more recent remake) and you really should watch them.
Tracy, I'm glad you enjoyed this! It sounds very touching.
Westerns are hit or miss with me, but I did like Cold Mountain. However, how often do these things match? :) Still, sounds like a sweet novel and one I may enjoy!
I think that Genre books like Westerns can work so well when they are good books in and of themselves.It sounds as if this one incorporates many of the elements that make a book good.
Thanks for the review! I'm glad it turned out to be such a great read.
Not much for westerns so think I'll skip this one. Glad you enjoyed it though, and congrats on the win!
Hi Tracy,
Yours and my own experiences and memories of the 'westerns' genre, seem to be pretty much the same, as this was always the genre of book which my father would withdraw from the library, in copious quantities, together with his other favourite mystery and crime books.
I have only read one authors take on the modern day western genre and that is Meg Mims, although she tends to stick to the more romantic western mystery angle, which your featured book definitely doesn't seem to be.
I might take a punt on this one at some point, for the descriptive writing about the region, if nothing else, although I think that the Amazon cover image is also amazing.
Thanks for featuring an interesting take on an often overlooked genre.
Enjoy the lovely day of spring weather ahead.
Yvonne
What a wonderful win! I love when books turn out to be better than we expect. The writing sounds so good and the story sounds touching. Thanks for sharing!
I don't think a Western would be a good fit for me, but I'm glad it was a bit more than that and enjoyable for you.
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