The Cowboy and the Cossack

I'm a voracious reader (not particularly of Westerns) and this book, which I read 15 years ago remains as one of my all time favorites. If any book deserves to be reprinted, it is this one! A must read!

I have read this book several times and each time I am re-convinced of how real the story is. At many points, I am either laughing or nearly crying. Huffaker really brings his characters to life. If you have never read this book, read it. And then read it again. And again. You will never tire of reading it.

Forget that "The Cowboy and the Cossack" is a "Western" novel -- it is a wonderful novel that happens to fall in that genre, that's all. I almost typed "a wonderful novel that happens to take place in the Old West" but that wouldn't be accurate. "The Cowboy and the Cossack" actually takes place in the Old East -- Siberia, to be exact -- where a group of Montana cowboys have come with a herd of Texas longhorns to be driven thousand of miles across this alien landscape. The characters are beautifully and subtly drawn, and the action and the setting are done with equal skill. The plot is exciting and the relationships between the characters are moving. This one belongs on a bookshelf right next to "Lonesome Dove" and, coming from me, that is high praise. I read a borrowed paperback and, so much did I like this novel, that I have now ordered my own copy for future re-reading. If you don't care for "Westerns", try it anyway (neither of the two women who recommended it to me like "Westerns" either, but they both loved this novel). And if you do like the genre, then I suspect this one will move on to your list of all-time favorites.

I've never been a western fan. I'll say that right up front because that said, I buy this book every chance I get. My copies keep vanishing as I loan them out and new readers fall in love with Huffaker's work. This, and One Time I Saw Morning Coming Home - these two books are full of warmth, compassion, passion and the rich delight that comes with a book that's just a wonderful read. Huffaker deserves a much wider readership and it's a shame his books aren't better known. Give this one a chance if you see it - and then share it with someone who's never had the luck!

I'm so glad to see others have enjoyed this book as much as I have. I first read it as a teenager but have read it a few times again---it is that good. I am an avid reader and have read quite a bit in several genres and I say without hesitation that this is my favorite book of all time. I highly recommend it to everyone. I noticed some comments on a few posts about a possible movie or film...I have mixed feelings about this. While I would love for others to experience this story, the movie would have to be very well done to capture the essence of this very fine work.