The Gunfight

After reading the jacket at the airport store, I was a bit skeptical. It was the only western available. The publisher indicated a common plot with a predictable outcome. Perhaps, the prospective reader might realize that the obvious was not to be the result. The Gunfight was a great companion during flight. Mr. Matheson added much to excellent action and characterization. Themes such as the deadliness of gossip, the devastating effects of fear of public opinion, false assumptions, family verbal abuse and ostracization were well portrayed The final scene was absorbing,revealing,and true of human nature. I will look forward to reading other books by the author.

A slightly different kind of western novel. A man (Benton) tired of the killing, especially after killing a teen, leaves the Texas Rangers and decides to start a new "quiet" life with his wife. Benton has decided that he will no longer wear a gun and he settles in a small town with his wife.Even though Benton has left his former life behind, his reputation comes with him. All the townsfolk fear getting him riled and all the young girls seem to "moon" over him. A lie by one of these "mooners" starts a whole chain of events in motion.An engaged teen girl tries to make her fiancée a little jealous by telling him that Benton made "suggestions" to her. Young Robby Coles goes straight to Benton to defend her honor with his "fists." Coles loses that little skirmish. However, the townsfolk will not let it go. Rumors go around the town fuelled by his controlling father and his fiancée's aunt that will force Coles and Benton into a duel for "nothing."The book highlights a time where "honor" was more important than "truth." It is a very short book culminating in the final duel that can't be avoided. I highly enjoyed the book and Matheson does a great job in building up the tension as Benton and Coles do all that they can, in vain, to prevent having to fight. I would have rated it higher if the book was bigger and maybe gave a little more into the psyche of Benton. Also, I felt the ending was a little bit cut short and maybe could use an epilogue.

This book is un-doubtedly one of the best novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It was definately "the most" climactic novel ever. I was shaking near the end as I read. You can really feel with the characters. The ending was shocking and disturbing. This is the best western I have ever read, the only other westerns I've read have been trashy supermarket paperbacks. Richard Matheson is THE MAN. He is THE WRITER. No one can deny it. Stephen King and many other writers compliment every piece of writing that Richard Matheson has ever writen. It's sad though how something that Stephen King writes automatically becomes a number one best seller when this book is forgotten and barely read by anyone. I've never read the Journal of the Gun Years, but after reading this, I will. I also look forward to reading other books by Richard Matheson. Richard Matheson builds a climax like no one else can. His stories are all exciting, interesting and totally en-grosing. This is THE MOST engrosing novel I have ever read. It's a landmark in literature. It's flawless. Read it if you can. It's a masterpiece.