Scan barcode
bookishlibrarian's review against another edition
3.25
I read this for a western training/book group at the library. Most of the westerns I've previously dipped into were from the more literary variety (Cormac McCarthy), very modernized takes on the genre (Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey), or genre hybrids (Lone Women by Victor LaValle), so I wanted to read a more traditional western this time. I had read one of Parker's Spenser books a long time ago and remember liking it, so was interested in his take on the genre.
Virgil Cole and his sidekick Everett Hitch are hired by the town of Appaloosa as the new lawmen and specifically to deal with the rancher Bragg who has been terrorizing the town. Virgil is a man with a strong moral code and a man of action, not words. (Though his occasional incorrect usage of words he picked up from reading (vigilant/vigorous) was humorous and relatable). Everett, our narrator, is a gunman who operates more out of loyalty to his mentor Virgil than any conviction for what he does.
This one surprised me in some good ways, in both its pacing and its characters and especially the ending. I also enjoyed the dialogue and the humor. Where it lost me a little is in the character of Allie, Virgil's love interest. Still, I'd pick up another in the series, especially to see where it goes after how this one ends.
Virgil Cole and his sidekick Everett Hitch are hired by the town of Appaloosa as the new lawmen and specifically to deal with the rancher Bragg who has been terrorizing the town. Virgil is a man with a strong moral code and a man of action, not words. (Though his occasional incorrect usage of words he picked up from reading (vigilant/vigorous) was humorous and relatable). Everett, our narrator, is a gunman who operates more out of loyalty to his mentor Virgil than any conviction for what he does.
This one surprised me in some good ways, in both its pacing and its characters and especially the ending. I also enjoyed the dialogue and the humor. Where it lost me a little is in the character of Allie, Virgil's love interest. Still, I'd pick up another in the series, especially to see where it goes after how this one ends.
krobart's review against another edition
4.0
The novel is full of action, but it stands out because of the friendship between Cole and Hitch and Parker’s ability to create distinctive characters using laconic dialogue and a bare minimum of description. And Parker has not omitted a twinkle of humor, such as when Cole marvels that Mrs. French takes a bath every single day. Although Appaloosa sounds like a traditional Western, it is unusual, especially in its denoument. I found it to be a quick, appealing read.
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/appaloosa/
See my complete review here:
http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/appaloosa/
bookhawk's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
My first taste of Robert B. Parker westerns was a success. Parker says more with less in this Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch novel. Great action, plotting and message in a western. 4 stars.
papidoc's review against another edition
1.0
Awful, just awful. Almost no plot, intrigue, or character development and replete with foul language (seemed like every other word, way beyond what I even hear in high schools these days!). It seemed to exist simply as a slow moving vehicle for bad behavior, brutal violence, and the worst that can be offered in the way of anti-heroes.
I'm seriously disappointed in Parker for putting out this trash heap of a novel. I've seen a decline in the quality and originality of his work in recent years, but this was a massive leap downward. I've been a long time fan of his Spenser series, and also Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall series', but I'm not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt any more. With these westerns, doubt seems to have turned to conviction. Unless he makes a dramatic turnaround in his work, it’s not worth the time to read anymore.
I'm seriously disappointed in Parker for putting out this trash heap of a novel. I've seen a decline in the quality and originality of his work in recent years, but this was a massive leap downward. I've been a long time fan of his Spenser series, and also Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall series', but I'm not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt any more. With these westerns, doubt seems to have turned to conviction. Unless he makes a dramatic turnaround in his work, it’s not worth the time to read anymore.
mynatea's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
New to reading western genres so while these types of plots need getting used to I did enjoy the writing itself.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
4.0
Parker's Appaloosa was a good, fast-paced western about a pair of gunslinging lawmen. I read the entire book on a three-hour flight from New York to Nashville, Tennessee.
While I was in Nashville, I saw the movie that was based on the book, starring Ed Harris as Virgil Cole and Viggo Mortensen as Everitt Hitch, and I would say that it does the novel justice.
While I was in Nashville, I saw the movie that was based on the book, starring Ed Harris as Virgil Cole and Viggo Mortensen as Everitt Hitch, and I would say that it does the novel justice.
jjohnsen's review against another edition
4.0
Robert Parker is one of my favorite authors, and though he's stumbled a few times, Appaloosa isn't one of those. Most of his fiction are crime stories set in the present, but this one is a western taking place in the past. And it's brilliant.
I'm not sure how I missed it (though after reading it I found out he has two other westerns I've never read), but this one came to my attention when I saw the trailer for the movie staring Viggo Mortenson. It was interesting enough that I wanted to know more, which led me to the book.
Virgil and Everett become the sheriff and deputy in the town of Appoloosa after the former sheriff is killed. Members of the town council want someone to take control, and they're paying enough for the two to keep the peace while trying to arrest the killer. It sounds pretty generic as far as westerns go, but the plot is tight and as usual Parker's dialogue is spot on. He doesn't waste a single word getting his characters to make the point. They talk to each other in snappy sentences, and say exactly what they think. The lead character is so low key, there are chapters he does nothing more than nod, but I was kept interested through his actions and how he treated other people.
There's a chase through Indian territory, a woman who may not be what she seems and a final showdown. Each part filled with interesting characters that I was anxious to read more about. It's a simple but enjoyable novel. I'll be getting his other two Westerns now.
I'm not sure how I missed it (though after reading it I found out he has two other westerns I've never read), but this one came to my attention when I saw the trailer for the movie staring Viggo Mortenson. It was interesting enough that I wanted to know more, which led me to the book.
Virgil and Everett become the sheriff and deputy in the town of Appoloosa after the former sheriff is killed. Members of the town council want someone to take control, and they're paying enough for the two to keep the peace while trying to arrest the killer. It sounds pretty generic as far as westerns go, but the plot is tight and as usual Parker's dialogue is spot on. He doesn't waste a single word getting his characters to make the point. They talk to each other in snappy sentences, and say exactly what they think. The lead character is so low key, there are chapters he does nothing more than nod, but I was kept interested through his actions and how he treated other people.
There's a chase through Indian territory, a woman who may not be what she seems and a final showdown. Each part filled with interesting characters that I was anxious to read more about. It's a simple but enjoyable novel. I'll be getting his other two Westerns now.
michael5000's review against another edition
4.0
Spenser goes West! Good clean undemanding violent fun.