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usbsticky's review
5.0
The second of a trilogy of the Kevin Kearney clan in the American southwest. You must read #1 first. This is an epic trilogy that deals with pioneers settling in New Mexico. It's fantastic writing as the author is great at creating lifelike characters, an accurate historical setting and beautiful descriptions of the life in that ear. This second book is a little depressing though as one of the main characters was abandoned as a child and became a rather cold adult. It's a very long book and has a lot of interesting sub-plots or side stories including romances, a rancher's life and the protagonist's experience as a Rough Rider in the Spanish-American war. Highly recommended for any western historical fans.
flogigyahoo's review
4.0
This is the 2nd novel in this pastoral yet powerful trilogy and the 1st one I bought used. I felt I had to read No. 1 (Hard Country) first before starting Backlands; I'm glad I did. All the background of the 1st novel is followed up here in the 2nd. A western, but with lots of story and plot behind it. There is murder and rustling, but told quite differently from the usual. The Double-K ranch continues to operate by surly, obnoxious Patrick Kerney (spelled their name wrong in my earlier review and am correcting it here). His son, Matt Kerney, grows up with the help of his mother's will, spending time in Las Cruces during the winter and attending high school there, only returning to the ranch during the summer months, always heading toward a break with his father. Yet on matters concerning horses and the ranch, Matt manages to win praise from Patrick. When the break comes it seems like it will go on forever. I whipped through this novel in just 3 days and it's a long one--503 pages. When Matt finds a job after the failure of the banks in 1929, there are details of his work for the Civilian Conservation Corps much of which was new to me. When World War II starts up and Matt goes to war, he surprises himself. I enjoyed this novel so much, I can't wait to read the third and more of Michael McGarrity's westerns.
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