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lucindacreek's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Watched this after really enjoying the film. I think the film was perfect in terms of character arcs and pacing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Colonisation
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Classism
itismebruna's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, and Misogyny
nikereadsbooks's review against another edition
4.25
This is not my usual kind of book so I was surprised a bit by how much I enjoyed it. I loved how it was focused on the characters, keeping the third point of view not only on George and Phil, but also adding other characters. Especially Phil's character was really interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Antisemitism
ribcager's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Deliver my soul from the sword,
My darling from the power of the dog.”
One of these days you’ll get yours aplenty.
My darling from the power of the dog.”
One of these days you’ll get yours aplenty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Racism, Suicide, and Antisemitism
rhdj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racial slurs, and Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia and Misogyny
rachel1106's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A dark Western about two very different brothers, with plot details about characters and the enviornment around them, as well as the enviornment that they create, that keeps one interested, engaged, and full of tense questions of what will happen. All main characters are worthy of discussion. The writing is superb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, and Classism
All is brief, there is mention of entrails and the resources of dead animals(hides, meat). You have to remember that this is a ranch. It's not a violent novel, but there are character thoughts of one thinking they're superior in the 1920s as a white man. Mild racism and sexism in those thoughts. Nothing too harsh, more so eye rolling. Author expresses these character flaws in a way that makes the reader aware that the character is the character, and it doesn't feel like the author is self imposing those thoughts into his character for the sake ofnecpressing himself, but telling a stoyr of the flaws to his character in the fictional world. It's not triggering. Suicide is apparent in this book, though. That's the most substantial element I would worry about when recommending. It's short, but unexpected, and the death is mentioned various times as it undoubtedly scars some other characters.farmpaws's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The heartbreak and dread of this story prowl around you for this entire book, staring out at you through Thomas Savage’s incredibly vivid descriptions. I’ve never smelt sagebrush, or been anywhere close to Montana, but I felt like I was on every page of this story. I could sit down at the table in the Burbank’s enormous house, and feel the silence crawl down my spine. Every inch of this was vividly alive, each character, especially Phil, felt so alive. It was stunning.
This book is a product of its time politics wise, but otherwise, I have no complaints. I only wish I could have lingered longer.
This book is a product of its time politics wise, but otherwise, I have no complaints. I only wish I could have lingered longer.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Homophobia, Racism, Blood, and Antisemitism
This book starts with castrating a bull calf, and contains fairly detailed descriptions of butchering animals for food.paulabellman's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
1.0
I would have never read this book if In had know it was originally published in the early 60s. That explains the stiff dilogue.
I figured from the preview of the Netflix movie that there was gay overtones, whether repressed or acted upon. God knows in these days you can't have a western without the cowboys being gay.
Did being in the closet make Phil such a dick? Why is Rose so freaking weak? Tell that dude to F off and leave her alone. God, and George? Bruh grow a pair. The only one who was worth a dang in this entire story was Peter. He was the only one who was brave enough and clever enough to stand up to the bully. And that's what Phil was...a bully.
If I had to hear 1 more Phil POV of how he bested someone? No one was safe from his levels of mean. Not children, not Jews, not women, not even his own mother. I'm glad he was killed. He deserved every single bit of misery.
This auduobook was 8 hrs but it felt like I've been listening for 8 weeks. Thank God it's done.
I figured from the preview of the Netflix movie that there was gay overtones, whether repressed or acted upon. God knows in these days you can't have a western without the cowboys being gay.
Did being in the closet make Phil such a dick? Why is Rose so freaking weak? Tell that dude to F off and leave her alone. God, and George? Bruh grow a pair. The only one who was worth a dang in this entire story was Peter. He was the only one who was brave enough and clever enough to stand up to the bully. And that's what Phil was...a bully.
If I had to hear 1 more Phil POV of how he bested someone? No one was safe from his levels of mean. Not children, not Jews, not women, not even his own mother. I'm glad he was killed. He deserved every single bit of misery.
This auduobook was 8 hrs but it felt like I've been listening for 8 weeks. Thank God it's done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
gailcooksandreads's review against another edition
4.5
4.5 stars rounded up for this gorgeously-written, hidden gem of a classic novel that I never would have discovered had I not been seeking out books set in Montana for a 50-states challenge. I'm really looking forward to watching the movie adaptation on Netflix as it is also supposed to be excellent. It got a bit draggy in parts, hence the 4.5, but wowzers, I was floored at how good it is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Homophobia, and Suicide
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Murder
mia_merrill's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Suicide, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Antisemitism, and Grief
Minor: Murder