Features contemporary short works of the Western genre, including contributions from writers not usually associated with Westerns such as Jack Kerouac and Wallace Stegner, as well as stories from Annie Proulx, Louise Erdrich, and Raymond Chandler.
This collection has the best variety of styles I've seen!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 23 years ago
I thought this collection had such a wonderful range of writing styles. Most collections are too much in the style of one person's taste, but this book is able to rise above that. McMurtry really knows how to cover all of the artistic styles out there. My favorite in here was the story by Mark Jude Poirier. He has a novel called Goats that just came out, which is definitely worth checking out. I also liked Diana Ossana's story in here.
Never been west, but now I want to go....
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I bought this book mainly because I'm curious about what's west of where I grew up: Wisconsin. What amazing writers are in this collection!!! All different points of view, but compelling and interesting. I especially liked Jon Billman and Diana Ossana's stories, two writers I'd not heard of. I hope to see more of their work. Who knows the west better than Mr. Lonesome Dove?! Buy it, read it, you won't be sorry.
Excellent read for those who have been or never been west
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I bought this book hoping to find two or three stories to pique my interest, but read it cover to cover and was not at all disappointed. Intelligent, inspired, lively, entertaining, funny, sad--just like life. If you read McMurtry's own fiction and enjoy it, this is a must-read for you!!! At least five stars. Take a chance, you won't be disappointed....
The real west
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Perhaps that grump from New York has never been to the West. The stories in this collection perfectly reflect life in the West as I (a Westerner) know it. From the magic of Rick Bass to the hard realism of Richard Ford, McMurtry has chosen well. Annie Proulx's "Brokeback Mountain" is a classic, a Western classic. New writers like Dao Strom and Mark Jude Poirier give the anthology a fresh feel.
A great read for anyone who's ever or never been west...
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
I bought this book hoping to find three or four stories to pique my imagination; instead, I started reading from beginning and didn't stop until I finished with Annie Proulx's BROKEBACK. These stories were reminiscent of McMurtry's own writing: profound, simple, funny, heartbreaking and totally engaging. Right on the money. The only thing I agree with Kirists about is that I wish some of them had been longer....A GREAT COLLECTION!!!
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