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3.3 AVERAGE
3.3 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
On the one hand, a delight - the long winded, purple prose descriptions of the beautiful scenery, which must be described in loving detail every time (and I’m not complaining)! The dramatic, overwrought turn of everyone’s internal thoughts and dialogue! The whole section in the middle that is a Robinson Crusoe-style exploration and setting up home in an isolated place! The starring role played by horses and everyone loving them a lot! The delightful ambiguous ending! Watching western tropes be created before your eyes and embraced with the maximum amount of drama possible! The way for the first quarter of the book I kept thinking that Jane, Lassiter, and Venters could fix at least some of their angst with a threesome! - and on the other hand less delightful - the bizarre pacing with the action-packed first third, the action packed last third, and an incredibly slow middle where everyone just goes around angsting! The heavy handed gender essentialism and continual talk of ‘feminine feeling’ in contrast to ‘manly action’, which prevents Jane from doing anything very interesting! The annoying child! The weird pacing where nothing happens for long stretches and interesting stuff happens offscreen for some reason!.
This book was written in 1912 with a lot of the baggage and biases that implies, and that is very clear, but I did enjoy a lot about it, and I was also surprised by quite a lot; Jane actually being a - and indeed the first - POV character, the romance novel everything of it (I’m formulating a theory where western novels might be romance novels aimed at men?), Venters actually ending up being way more of an active character than Lassiter, the well-drawn secondary characters.
This book was written in 1912 with a lot of the baggage and biases that implies, and that is very clear, but I did enjoy a lot about it, and I was also surprised by quite a lot; Jane actually being a - and indeed the first - POV character, the romance novel everything of it (I’m formulating a theory where western novels might be romance novels aimed at men?), Venters actually ending up being way more of an active character than Lassiter, the well-drawn secondary characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Racism, Violence
Love story based in Utah when it is just being settled, a classic western.
#7 on Read Harder. I’m sure it is an excellent example of its ilk. It just doesn’t age well. The heroine could do two things well—ride horses and wring her hands in despair. The pace was good for the most part. The plot was predictable. Scenery was awesome, if a bit over-described. There are two stories and I found the supporting story of Vern and Bess to be the more interesting one.
I’ve thought about reading a Zane Grey for decades (he lived in a town not far from our PA home so he was in my circle of awareness), and now I’ve done it. I think it’s a one-and-done.
I happened to watch The Magnificent Seven remake while reading this. I decided that I’d rather have a story with no women than one with weak women. Plus, there was Denzel Washington AND Chris Pratt.
I’ve thought about reading a Zane Grey for decades (he lived in a town not far from our PA home so he was in my circle of awareness), and now I’ve done it. I think it’s a one-and-done.
I happened to watch The Magnificent Seven remake while reading this. I decided that I’d rather have a story with no women than one with weak women. Plus, there was Denzel Washington AND Chris Pratt.
Failing my 50 pages test, I got to page 50 and it just wasn't doing it for me. The elaborate descriptions of nature, the classic archetypes of Western characters, the over-the-top villains, I just wasn't digging it. I understand that Grey was one of the originators of the genre and so helped create many of these tropes that are now cliches, but even with this knowledge, I still just wasn't drawn in like I wanted to be.
emotional
reflective
tense
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
Couldn't finish this. Sage, sage, sage, sage, sage. Empty female characters. Maybe this book just fit a certain time.
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2018 Task 3: A classic of genre fiction (i.e. mystery, sci fi/fantasy, romance)
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2018 Task 7: A western
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2018 Task 7: A western
Review first posted on Audiobook Reviewer.
Riders of the Purple Sage
Written by: Zane Grey
Narrated by: Ann M. Richardson
Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
Series: Riders of the Purple Sage, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-18-16
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press Inc.
Riders of the Purple Sage is a classic western from author Zane Grey. It was published in 1912 and has remained in print and popular to this day. The story is set in 1871 in the Utah territory. There is no separation of church and state. The Mormon church and it’s patriarchal society hold all power.
The main character Jane is very non-traditional for the time period and for Mormon women. She is unmarried in her late twenties. She is also wealthy because of inheriting her father’s estate. She further defies convention by refusing to marry one of the Mormon elders in the area who demand she get in line with church teachings. Worst of all, in the eyes of her Mormon neighbors, is her belief in treating all men, whether Mormon or Gentile (non-Mormon) with equal dignity.
Her property is very valuable since it has a reliable water source. Her horses are also well known and sought after. Elder Tull wants to marry her, her wealth equal in his eyes to her beauty. The local Bishop, Dyer, supports Tull in his attempt to make Jane into a respectable Mormon wife. When Jane does not jump at the chance to become another of Tull’s wives, Tull and Dyer set about forcing her by attacking her Gentile ranch hands. Without her trusted hands, Jane cannot keep the ranch functioning.
As Jane continues to fight for what she feels is right and not what the Mormon men tell her is right, help comes from an unexpected and very dangerous source. Lassiter, a gunman known for his antipathy towards Mormons and accused of killing several Mormon men, arrives at Jane’s ranch. His reputation proceeds him and causes the to resort to even more violence in an attempt to force Jane into marriage.
Lassiter is an anti-hero. He is a man who has willingly killed other men. He has a very open hatred of all things Mormon. Yet he demonstrates more honor than the religious men trying to rob Jane of her independence and wealth. The pairing of a gunslinger and a Mormon woman drive the plot to an unexpected and thrilling conclusion.
I enjoyed the book, the first Zane Grey I have read or listened to. My only disappointment was it took Jane so long to realize that the Elder and Bishop were not motivated by religion but by greed. She was naive. Other than that, all the characters were well rounded.
I had previously listened to the version narrated by Mark Bramhall. I was interested to hear the book narrated by a woman, Ann M. Richardson. Different narrators can bring different tones or emphasis to the same book. I was very interested whether the gender of the narrator would affect the story itself. I found the gender of the narrator in this particular instance did not make a difference. Ms. Richardson did a very fine job of narrating the book. After listening to the same passages read by the two different narrators, I found I enjoyed them both. If this is an edge at all, it goes to Ms. Richardson. Her voice is very pleasant and she handles the range of voices, male/female, very well.
Rating: Story (Plot) 4
Rating: Performance 5
Rating: Production Quality 5
Rating: Attention Holding 4
Rating 4.5
ABR received this audiobook for free from the Publisher, Submitted in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the audiobook or the content of our review.
Riders of the Purple Sage
Written by: Zane Grey
Narrated by: Ann M. Richardson
Length: 11 hrs and 49 mins
Series: Riders of the Purple Sage, Book 1
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:04-18-16
Publisher: Post Hypnotic Press Inc.
Riders of the Purple Sage is a classic western from author Zane Grey. It was published in 1912 and has remained in print and popular to this day. The story is set in 1871 in the Utah territory. There is no separation of church and state. The Mormon church and it’s patriarchal society hold all power.
The main character Jane is very non-traditional for the time period and for Mormon women. She is unmarried in her late twenties. She is also wealthy because of inheriting her father’s estate. She further defies convention by refusing to marry one of the Mormon elders in the area who demand she get in line with church teachings. Worst of all, in the eyes of her Mormon neighbors, is her belief in treating all men, whether Mormon or Gentile (non-Mormon) with equal dignity.
Her property is very valuable since it has a reliable water source. Her horses are also well known and sought after. Elder Tull wants to marry her, her wealth equal in his eyes to her beauty. The local Bishop, Dyer, supports Tull in his attempt to make Jane into a respectable Mormon wife. When Jane does not jump at the chance to become another of Tull’s wives, Tull and Dyer set about forcing her by attacking her Gentile ranch hands. Without her trusted hands, Jane cannot keep the ranch functioning.
As Jane continues to fight for what she feels is right and not what the Mormon men tell her is right, help comes from an unexpected and very dangerous source. Lassiter, a gunman known for his antipathy towards Mormons and accused of killing several Mormon men, arrives at Jane’s ranch. His reputation proceeds him and causes the to resort to even more violence in an attempt to force Jane into marriage.
Lassiter is an anti-hero. He is a man who has willingly killed other men. He has a very open hatred of all things Mormon. Yet he demonstrates more honor than the religious men trying to rob Jane of her independence and wealth. The pairing of a gunslinger and a Mormon woman drive the plot to an unexpected and thrilling conclusion.
I enjoyed the book, the first Zane Grey I have read or listened to. My only disappointment was it took Jane so long to realize that the Elder and Bishop were not motivated by religion but by greed. She was naive. Other than that, all the characters were well rounded.
I had previously listened to the version narrated by Mark Bramhall. I was interested to hear the book narrated by a woman, Ann M. Richardson. Different narrators can bring different tones or emphasis to the same book. I was very interested whether the gender of the narrator would affect the story itself. I found the gender of the narrator in this particular instance did not make a difference. Ms. Richardson did a very fine job of narrating the book. After listening to the same passages read by the two different narrators, I found I enjoyed them both. If this is an edge at all, it goes to Ms. Richardson. Her voice is very pleasant and she handles the range of voices, male/female, very well.
Rating: Story (Plot) 4
Rating: Performance 5
Rating: Production Quality 5
Rating: Attention Holding 4
Rating 4.5
ABR received this audiobook for free from the Publisher, Submitted in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect our opinion of the audiobook or the content of our review.
Set in 1871, published in 1912. This story is far more than a western adventure, although it is surely that. There are deep and tender relationships among the characters, including impressive and moving portrayals of the two women who are central to the story. There are also many matchless descriptions of the magnificent western landscape.
But what is most powerful is the scathing denunciation of the vicious Mormon practices of control exercised against anyone who stands up against the leadership, particularly a woman. If these descriptions are true, and I have no reason to believe they are not, it is a truly disgusting portrait. How long did it take the Mormons to grow past that history, or do remnants still persist?
Lassiter is a very angry man.His sister and only living relative, disappears from her home in Texas. Was she kidnapped. Who knows,but the brother will search as long as it takes. After years on the long weary road, the gunman discovers the sister, in an unmarked lonely grave, in southern Utah. The former cowboy seeks revenge, he has killed before, he will again .Complications occur when he meets Jane Withersteen , a rich landowner, he begins to stop hating. Lassiter reputation scares the areas small town. It's controlled by a religious sect, that doesn't like nonmembers. The townsmen keep trying to kill him but he's hard to eliminate. Jane hires Lassiter to prevent her cattle and prize horses, from being stolen.
This is a classic western. It was one of the best written westerns by Zane Grey.
But what is most powerful is the scathing denunciation of the vicious Mormon practices of control exercised against anyone who stands up against the leadership, particularly a woman. If these descriptions are true, and I have no reason to believe they are not, it is a truly disgusting portrait. How long did it take the Mormons to grow past that history, or do remnants still persist?
Lassiter is a very angry man.His sister and only living relative, disappears from her home in Texas. Was she kidnapped. Who knows,but the brother will search as long as it takes. After years on the long weary road, the gunman discovers the sister, in an unmarked lonely grave, in southern Utah. The former cowboy seeks revenge, he has killed before, he will again .Complications occur when he meets Jane Withersteen , a rich landowner, he begins to stop hating. Lassiter reputation scares the areas small town. It's controlled by a religious sect, that doesn't like nonmembers. The townsmen keep trying to kill him but he's hard to eliminate. Jane hires Lassiter to prevent her cattle and prize horses, from being stolen.
This is a classic western. It was one of the best written westerns by Zane Grey.
Zane Grey was truly a superb storyteller. His descriptions of landscapes, settings, humanity, religion, people and character, are prolific. This goes beyond the classic western in many ways. It depicts prejudices, religious intolerance, hardship, courage, determination, and love.
I completely disagree with the reviewer that stated it was like a mass market romance novel. This definitely is of the western genre with much more. The author’s way with words is magnificent topping the list of western novelists.
I enjoyed this book and story. I did not realize it is part of a series, until I finished. I hope to read further.
I completely disagree with the reviewer that stated it was like a mass market romance novel. This definitely is of the western genre with much more. The author’s way with words is magnificent topping the list of western novelists.
I enjoyed this book and story. I did not realize it is part of a series, until I finished. I hope to read further.