The Call of the Canyon

The Call of the Canyon is another of Zane Grey's "war novels" which is to say, it deals with the subject of the mistreatment of returning veterans from the first world war. But it is also the coming of age of a modern "sophisticated" woman who learns the real meaning of love, and what it means to love someone. The story has several scenes which take place in New York City as well as at Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona. For pure romance, this book can not be beat. Carly Birch is one of Zane Grey's finest female characters, and again I will say he often wrote from the woman's point of view which is why the vast majority of his work was published in the leading "women's" magazines of the day, and his readership was more than half women. So, ladies, please don't dismiss Zane Grey as a "western" writer; he was so much more than that.

If one understands the time between WWI and WWII and the excesses of the 1920's this book is excellent! Remember this book was written in 1934 at the height of the great depression! Yet it reflects on the era of the 1920's. While some of the values that Grey espouses in the book seem out of date and old fashioned, I think his themes are timeless. The book also provides beautiful descriptions of the Arizona desert and rural life in the western U.S. The story line is quite good and Grey deals effectively with love, conflict, jealousy, and what makes our struggles worthwhile. Enjoy this classic!

I just love this book, so far I've only read it 3 times, but it is certainly one of my very favorites. Zane Gray describes with exacting detail the wondrous beauty of the west, with the the struggles of a romantic relationship between a wounded returning WW1 veteran and his girl friend, who just happens to be a headstrong New Yorker used to having things her way.The story is timeless and exciting and I highly recommend it if you enjoy the west, love and a turn of the century American adventure.

The story set in the 1920s New York and Arizona is a wonderful romance. The descriptions of the canyons and desert make me want to pack up the car and head out for an extended vacation in Arizona right away. The descriptions are indeed moving. The downside of the novel for me is just a little bit too much "philosophy" out of the post WW1 era. Grey harps a little to much on his ideal American Woman, American Family, the contrast between the idle rich in New York and the working folks out on the range in The West. There is way too much writing on the plight of W.W.I vets when they returned to America. But in spite of a lot of pages devoted to teaching Grey's message there is a wonderful romantic story to be enjoyed.

First let me say I am am avid western book reader and author myself. I regard Zane Grey's Call of the Canyon as one of the most powerful romance books ever written. I know many people who regard this and Rider's of the Purple Sage, to be Zane Grey's best books, and amoung the best adventure fiction books ever. Each year visitors by the thousands do their best to retrace the footsteps of these eastern lovers who had Gone West. It is a tale that never seems to go out of fashion, and indeed seems to fulfill some great need in each reader lucky enough to hear the Call of the Canyon.