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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
My main issue is the story fills very cliche western to me. This is my first western, so maybe I'm just not big on westerns. The characters were likeable enough in my opinion. The main issue is just the story seemed kind of cliche. If I were to guess what a western would be like I would have predicted something pretty much exactly like this, which made the story predictable.
The characters are likeable enough though, especially Hondo's dog. Hondo is also fine, but I could see some not liking him. Overall not a bad read, but not something I would necessarily readily recommend to others.
The characters are likeable enough though, especially Hondo's dog. Hondo is also fine, but I could see some not liking him. Overall not a bad read, but not something I would necessarily readily recommend to others.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When my book-reading friends and I decided to read this book, we didn't realize it was L'Amour's debut novel. Prior to this he had been writing for magazines. You can feel a bit of that jerkiness in his writing as well as not much depth to the characters or storyline in general.
But I think was still a really good, enjoyable read. It laid the groundwork for me to know what to expect when I try a few more of his books in the future. There were plenty of on the edge of my seat scenes and moments I was in suspense and nervous for what would happen to Hondo or other characters in this story. You get some romance, fights and a taste of life in the Arizona deserts back in the 1800s.
But I think was still a really good, enjoyable read. It laid the groundwork for me to know what to expect when I try a few more of his books in the future. There were plenty of on the edge of my seat scenes and moments I was in suspense and nervous for what would happen to Hondo or other characters in this story. You get some romance, fights and a taste of life in the Arizona deserts back in the 1800s.
Hondo was a gift from someone who was dismayed that I hadn’t read anything by Louis L’Amour. I was sceptical. A Western? Isn’t that a bit dated and I never did like the genre. However, this was a revelation. Like Hondo Lane who knows not to wear “shiny stuff” on his clothes in the desert, this is a simple tale with no frills and is well told. It is difficult to believe that it was written by a man who had never experienced the frontier life first hand since the frank narration is entirely believable. Will L’Amour make it to my list of favourite authors? I don’t think so. However, I won’t make the mistake of calling him dated. “…underlying his words there was understanding, compassion. There was none of this you-get-along-on-your-own-or-die feeling. She had seen too much of that. The more people had, the more people felt that way.” So true, even today! I am giving L'Amour the benefit of the doubt on the misogyny since his story is set in a certain period.
?/5
Really hard to rate a book that is so far removed from me.
in terms of personal taste, it's 1/5. A blatantly racist premise and a ton of sexual dynamics that only come off as weird to a contemporary reader, i think. In the 1950's, there may have been a sweetness and a gentleness to the "I'm a good man, and you, a woman, need a good man" sort of romance—even if it wasn't true. People in the 50's probably just believed the myth a bit more. I'm definitely projecting. Point is, this is a world where the white man is master of all: the desert, lonely ranch wives, Apaches (who are juuuuuust human enough to make them a worthy enemy, but are otherwise simply the most dangerous animal in the West), horses, and the United States Cavalry.
I did enjoy a scene when Hondo is teaching a young boy about different desert plants, animals, and tracking techniques.
In terms of what the book is /trying/ to do, HONDO is a 4/5. There's plenty of action, and the ideology, however fraught, is fully indulged. I definitely see why this was the book that launched L'amour's career as a novelist. In many ways it is the /perfect/ western. It makes for a very valuable text in a sort of historical way. All the problems with westerns are present here, and so are all the fantasies. Plus the prose is fine and the action is pretty well described. There are legitimately tense moments here, but that ran thin because i didn't really care for any of the characters as people—they worked as archetypes, though.
Don't read this if you are looking for a fun western, the racism runs too deep. if you are writing about westerns, then this is probably going to be a valuable book for you.
Really hard to rate a book that is so far removed from me.
in terms of personal taste, it's 1/5. A blatantly racist premise and a ton of sexual dynamics that only come off as weird to a contemporary reader, i think. In the 1950's, there may have been a sweetness and a gentleness to the "I'm a good man, and you, a woman, need a good man" sort of romance—even if it wasn't true. People in the 50's probably just believed the myth a bit more. I'm definitely projecting. Point is, this is a world where the white man is master of all: the desert, lonely ranch wives, Apaches (who are juuuuuust human enough to make them a worthy enemy, but are otherwise simply the most dangerous animal in the West), horses, and the United States Cavalry.
I did enjoy a scene when Hondo is teaching a young boy about different desert plants, animals, and tracking techniques.
In terms of what the book is /trying/ to do, HONDO is a 4/5. There's plenty of action, and the ideology, however fraught, is fully indulged. I definitely see why this was the book that launched L'amour's career as a novelist. In many ways it is the /perfect/ western. It makes for a very valuable text in a sort of historical way. All the problems with westerns are present here, and so are all the fantasies. Plus the prose is fine and the action is pretty well described. There are legitimately tense moments here, but that ran thin because i didn't really care for any of the characters as people—they worked as archetypes, though.
Don't read this if you are looking for a fun western, the racism runs too deep. if you are writing about westerns, then this is probably going to be a valuable book for you.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A short, well written, easy read. Full of stereotypes but great fun anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I’ve seen the movie many times; the learning to swim scene always makes me laugh and I’m glad it’s here in the book too. This is the first Louis Lamour I’ve read and I’ll certainly try some others.
Hard to appreciate the Western adventure/romance stuff around all the sexism and racism. This book really hasn't aged well.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is L'Amours' first full length novel. This was also the first time I have ever read a western. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading some of this other works, there are many to choose from, he wrote about 270 titles! It surprised me how this book would appeal to both women and men since it has the typical western adventure, but also a bit of a love story between Hondo Lane and Angie Lowe. She's a strong woman willing to do whatever she must to keep her land, but knows she must have a man around to balance out all the work. Well written and a really fun western adventure.
This is straight up a romance, following the same classic relationship beats.
The 'villain' had unbelievable motivations. I was skeptical that someone who was meant to take over leadership would be short-sighted and vindictive, especially given how many times the book mentions that Apaches are kind to children. That plotline was wrapped up much too quickly. There was little payoff.Literally the fight between the villain and hero was covered in two lines of action and a line of dialogue.
The 'villain' had unbelievable motivations. I was skeptical that someone who was meant to take over leadership would be short-sighted and vindictive, especially given how many times the book mentions that Apaches are kind to children. That plotline was wrapped up much too quickly. There was little payoff.