The Man Who Rode Midnight

"This book is okay. But not my favorite Elmer Kelton book. It is a "modern" western about the last fight Wes Hendrix has to try and save his property. For nearly 70 years Wes has been a cowboy, struggling and fighting, putting into the land everything he has to give. Now they want to take his land away....Virtually all of Mr. Kelton's characters are people who are fiercely independent and proud. They don't always do the right thing, but when push comes to shove, they do--most of the time. The people in his stories seem real, like people we have met. Wes Hendrix is no different. As to the three star rating, it is because it is a "modern" western and I like those set earlier--even as late as the 1930's or so. That's just my preferred reading."

This is one of the best stories I've read in quite some time. I'm a big Kelton fan...have read 30+ of his books, but this is a really good one regardless of the author. After I read it, I bought one for my brother and have "loaned" mine to several friends.

Great read. Elmer Kelton is the best western book writer that I have came across.

What makes Elmer Kelton stand out is not only his style of writing, and his subject matter (the value of which, I admit, is subjective), but the admirable qualities of his characters. In so many other books, main characters are filled with angst and cynicism, and a reader won't care if they live or die. Kelton's, though, a reader cheers on and wishes success. I've read and re-read "The Man Who Rode Midnight." The hero opposes not progress, in whatever guise, but greed, especially greed with him as the victim. He is a man who loves his life and feels pride in how he has lived, pitting his best against the best. Great.

What makes Elmer Kelton stand out is not only his style of writing, and his subject matter (the value of which, I admit, is subjective), but the admirable qualities of his characters. In so many other books, main characters are filled with angst, and a reader may wish they would all take gas. Kelton's, though, a reader cheers on and wishes success. I've read and re-read this one. Great.

For me, it was hard to choose between The Time It Never Rained and The Man Who Rode Midnight as Kelton's best. Kelton is a great novelist that brings issues concerning Texas and the west to life. This book is definitely a page turner that will keep any reader interested.