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m_lieto's review against another edition
3.0
This epic starts out tremendous with a cast of great cowboys. But it slowly begins to unwind and lose focus. This novel completely changes tones several times, and nearly every sub plot does next to nothing.
This is totally enjoyable, but could have been a great book if there was some editing and focus. And maybe some better written female and Native American characers. This is NOT a book for representation sadly.
Still gotta like the Hat Creek boys, good or badz
This is totally enjoyable, but could have been a great book if there was some editing and focus. And maybe some better written female and Native American characers. This is NOT a book for representation sadly.
Still gotta like the Hat Creek boys, good or badz
mart_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
megroach's review against another edition
4.0
{audiobook} :really good story telling and great character depth with some historically accurate unpleasantness. The voice actor is sooo good.
alexander_the_greatest's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Definitely worth the praise. One of the best books I've read. Takes you right in to the setting and makes you feel like one of the cowboys.
palegreenshutters's review against another edition
4.0
This was much better than I expected it to be. I read it because it is my FIL’s favorite book, and I don’t have a whole lot in common with him. Listening to it, I felt like it could have been him reading it.
There are many very un-PC moments, discussing prostitution and native Americans, but it was faithful to the viewpoints of the characters, late 19th century Texans.
The scope was far broader than expected and gave a good deal of humanity to what could have been nothing but a testosterone grunt fest.
There are many very un-PC moments, discussing prostitution and native Americans, but it was faithful to the viewpoints of the characters, late 19th century Texans.
The scope was far broader than expected and gave a good deal of humanity to what could have been nothing but a testosterone grunt fest.
doubleohelix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Truly one of the most compelling cast of characters I have read about in recent memory. Deeply flawed and memorable, with equal measures of hilarity and heartbreak, it’s easy to see why this story is so beloved. Every time I had the book with me in public, someone would comment on how much they loved it.
There are aspects that definitely age poorly, and I think they are meant to. I don’t like how most of the interactions with indigenous people portray them as brutal savages and unusually cruel, even if it was the prevailing notion at the time. I also loved Deets but he took on the tired trope of “magical negro” that pervades so much media.
I was most pleasantly surprised and delighted by the portrayal of women, from the distant Lorena to the sassy Clara and even the villainous Elmira who was a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn’t. It would have been so easy to leave them as two dimensional characters especially in a western setting and I’m glad they felt so grounded and real.
I recommend anyone read this book, you will find yourself forever changed at the end of the journey, much like the Hat Creek Outfit themselves.
There are aspects that definitely age poorly, and I think they are meant to. I don’t like how most of the interactions with indigenous people portray them as brutal savages and unusually cruel, even if it was the prevailing notion at the time. I also loved Deets but he took on the tired trope of “magical negro” that pervades so much media.
I was most pleasantly surprised and delighted by the portrayal of women, from the distant Lorena to the sassy Clara and even the villainous Elmira who was a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and what she didn’t. It would have been so easy to leave them as two dimensional characters especially in a western setting and I’m glad they felt so grounded and real.
I recommend anyone read this book, you will find yourself forever changed at the end of the journey, much like the Hat Creek Outfit themselves.
leeleeandlouie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ksydwlt's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tonasol05's review against another edition
5.0
A must read for fans of the western genre. But also a must read for anyone up for an adventure.
This book will forever remain among my top 5, no doubt about it.
This book will forever remain among my top 5, no doubt about it.