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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
I wanted to give this 3.5 stars. It was fairly well written but I felt it was a little rushed at times. Still a solid western and enjoyable overall story. I'll have to check out the movie since this was a novelization (I believe?).
This is my very first Louis L’amour book. I was kind of hesitant. My Grandpa was always reading them. In fact, I don’t think I ever saw him read anything else. That created my hesitation. I kind of had in my head what westerns must be like and what my Grandpa was reading about, and I didn’t want to spoil it. I happened upon this set of brown leather bound books in the library though and Hondo stood out. I must say that I was quite impressed. Louis L’amour speaks of the desert in a very poetic manner. I thoroughly enjoyed this story of Hondo Lane and his interactions with the Apaches and the mother and son he encounters on his scouting duties. I especially enjoyed the descriptions of how he and his dog, Sam, carefully navigated the desert and studied all the signs to avoid conflict with the Apaches.
SPOILERS:
All of my reading about Apaches implied that they were vicious. I don’t think this story says otherwise, but I like the twist of Vittoro befriending the little boy and trying to find a husband for his Mom, someone who can teach Small Warrior the ways of the Apache and about the desert. It made for a nice storyline that I didn’t expect.
My only complaint about the book is that one of the Apaches killed the dog, the white men killed Vittoro, and that the story ended when I felt like it was just getting started. I wish it had been longer. I wanted to know more of Hondo Lane and his new life with the Johnny and his Mom. I will read more Louis L’amour though. With this being an early novel, I suspect his writing only got better and the stories even more interesting.
SPOILERS:
All of my reading about Apaches implied that they were vicious. I don’t think this story says otherwise, but I like the twist of Vittoro befriending the little boy and trying to find a husband for his Mom, someone who can teach Small Warrior the ways of the Apache and about the desert. It made for a nice storyline that I didn’t expect.
My only complaint about the book is that one of the Apaches killed the dog, the white men killed Vittoro, and that the story ended when I felt like it was just getting started. I wish it had been longer. I wanted to know more of Hondo Lane and his new life with the Johnny and his Mom. I will read more Louis L’amour though. With this being an early novel, I suspect his writing only got better and the stories even more interesting.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After being immersed in Western culture for some time, I was inspired to bring that passion to my reading. A song by Colter Wall, titled Western Swing and Waltzes mentions ‘Louis L’Amour’ in the lyrics. Naturally, I was curious to pick up a book.
Hondo, was an escapism read. Each session with the book transported me to the Wild West. The sand, the arroyos, the gunfighters, all were illustrated in an immersive way. A book like this, is necessary sometimes to escape the mundanity of life. Hondo Lane, as a character, is your typical cowboy—and that is a character that is often easy to love, to respect, and to—in many ways—revere. The plot was interesting, however I felt lacked some depth. Regardless, the writing style and the fast-paced nature kept me longing to turn the page.
Hondo, was an escapism read. Each session with the book transported me to the Wild West. The sand, the arroyos, the gunfighters, all were illustrated in an immersive way. A book like this, is necessary sometimes to escape the mundanity of life. Hondo Lane, as a character, is your typical cowboy—and that is a character that is often easy to love, to respect, and to—in many ways—revere. The plot was interesting, however I felt lacked some depth. Regardless, the writing style and the fast-paced nature kept me longing to turn the page.
Hondo is a good Western.
Full of gun slinging cowboys, wise and scary natives, and that random woman who is tough as nails.
Louis L'Amour writes westerns like no one can. He writes the desert with a touch of romantisicm, effortlessly convinces you that you want to be there, under the blistering heat with his rugged, handsome characters.
It's a short novel, perfect for an afternoon of adventure, whenever you need it.
Full of gun slinging cowboys, wise and scary natives, and that random woman who is tough as nails.
Louis L'Amour writes westerns like no one can. He writes the desert with a touch of romantisicm, effortlessly convinces you that you want to be there, under the blistering heat with his rugged, handsome characters.
It's a short novel, perfect for an afternoon of adventure, whenever you need it.