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djdimond's review
4.0
I got this book as part of a Humble Bundle, so I went into it sight unseen. To be honest, it's not typically the type of book that I would have picked up. That being said, I'm glad that I had the opportunity to read it. Lansdale creates a perfect snapshot of social stratification in the 19th Century. The contrast of the quality of life for "second class citizens" between civilization and the frontier is a sad reminder of the ideas of racial and gender superiority, which, when placed in juxtaposition to the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, are shown to be dated and ill-fitting even for their time. A brilliant social commentary that is definitely worth reading.
misterjay's review
5.0
This is the first of Joe R. Lansdale's books I've read outside the Hap and Leonard stories. Happily, it's an excellent book and a fantastic encouragement to read the rest of Lansdale's books. The story centers around Nat Love, a former black slave and often-times lawman, and Black Hat Jack, a man of indeterminate age and ancestry, but undeniably badass. In particular, this story takes place during the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, and is full of salty language, terse but vivid characterization, and historical detail that all together make for a very exciting read.
There is an author's note in the back of the book that states that there are two more Nat Love stories as well as a novel in the works. I plan on reading them all. Highly recommended for anyone who wishes there were still Westerns on t.v.
There is an author's note in the back of the book that states that there are two more Nat Love stories as well as a novel in the works. I plan on reading them all. Highly recommended for anyone who wishes there were still Westerns on t.v.
imsam's review
2.0
Eh. Not very interesting and spends a very long time describing how gross the people Deadwood Dick met were.
pagesofpins's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
The pulp western tall tale narration style was appealing, but mostly this western contained all the tropes I don't enjoy.
beau_kemp's review
5.0
I dig Westerns, and this one is very good. Now I've got to check out Lansdale's other books as this is my first.
conscientious_barbarian_reads's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a super fun western novella about deadwood dick (i.e Nat Love) who while doing some buffalo hunting stops at adobe falls with his partner black hat jack, become embroiled in a siege by native americans.
This book is quality and shod be a quick read bit you may find yourself lingering as Nat comes across a great mix of colorful characters. That manages to blend literary licensing with a level headed and honest approach to history. The division between the frontier and "civilized" world is nicely done and Nat is a strong character who sees the world how it is. No appologies or politics. Just fun historic fiction.
This book is quality and shod be a quick read bit you may find yourself lingering as Nat comes across a great mix of colorful characters. That manages to blend literary licensing with a level headed and honest approach to history. The division between the frontier and "civilized" world is nicely done and Nat is a strong character who sees the world how it is. No appologies or politics. Just fun historic fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Gun violence
Moderate: Violence, Torture, Racism, and Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content
verkisto's review
4.0
Lansdale gives us another straight-up western, told in the usual Lansdale style. That means it's crass and profane, though that shouldn't stop anyone from reading it. Crass and profane is what you should expect from a Lansdale story, unless it's written for the young'uns.
Nat Love has been a subject of interest for Lansdale for a long time, according to the afterword of this novella. He's been working on the book that became Paradise Sky for over thirty years, because he's felt like blacks in the Old West haven't been given their due. Of course, the story is fiction, but Lansdale draws on enough history to flesh out the story. Aside from using Nat Love as his narrator, Lansdale also uses the Second Battle of Adobe Walls as its main plot. He brings in enough facts to satisfy the historians, and enough action to keep his story humming along. And hum it does.
Thematically, the story focuses on the brutalities that Native Americans performed on whites, but Nat acknowledges that the whites did the same to Native Americans, as well as to blacks. Toward the end, Lansdale gives us a piece of Texas history, showing how black men, even those who fought against Native Americans and saved white men and women on the way, are mistrusted and treated like animals. He also draws a divide between white and black society during that time, and shows how white people can talk and act big when they're outside of their own group, but clam up when they're back inside. It's a sad take, but it makes the story more than just a shoot-'em-up western; as usual, Lansdale has something to say outside of telling us his story.
Of all the Lansdale novellas I've read lately, this is the best of the bunch. Without bringing up the thematic elements at the end, it would have been just another Lansdale story (not that there's anything wrong with that), but by doing so, he elevates it above that. It touches on what made Sunset and Sawdust such a fine novel, which makes me want to read Paradise Sky as soon as possible. If he can do it in a novella, I can't wait to see what he can do with an entire book.
Nat Love has been a subject of interest for Lansdale for a long time, according to the afterword of this novella. He's been working on the book that became Paradise Sky for over thirty years, because he's felt like blacks in the Old West haven't been given their due. Of course, the story is fiction, but Lansdale draws on enough history to flesh out the story. Aside from using Nat Love as his narrator, Lansdale also uses the Second Battle of Adobe Walls as its main plot. He brings in enough facts to satisfy the historians, and enough action to keep his story humming along. And hum it does.
Thematically, the story focuses on the brutalities that Native Americans performed on whites, but Nat acknowledges that the whites did the same to Native Americans, as well as to blacks. Toward the end, Lansdale gives us a piece of Texas history, showing how black men, even those who fought against Native Americans and saved white men and women on the way, are mistrusted and treated like animals. He also draws a divide between white and black society during that time, and shows how white people can talk and act big when they're outside of their own group, but clam up when they're back inside. It's a sad take, but it makes the story more than just a shoot-'em-up western; as usual, Lansdale has something to say outside of telling us his story.
Of all the Lansdale novellas I've read lately, this is the best of the bunch. Without bringing up the thematic elements at the end, it would have been just another Lansdale story (not that there's anything wrong with that), but by doing so, he elevates it above that. It touches on what made Sunset and Sawdust such a fine novel, which makes me want to read Paradise Sky as soon as possible. If he can do it in a novella, I can't wait to see what he can do with an entire book.
psteve's review
4.0
Short but very engaging, this is an episode in the life of Deadwood Dick. It tells the story of Black Hat Jack, and how Deadwood Dick and he wound up at the battle of Adobe Walls, against Comanche. Pretty exciting stuff, but Deadwood Dick's narrative style is low-key. The character of Millie, who is there for the standoff is a great part of the story.