The Virginian

What a Stunning Surprise this novel is!

A dear friend recommended that I listen to this book. She said that a professor of American literature, when asked what one book, written by a North American author, would he recommend reading above all others, said, "The Virginian." I was amazed. I would have bet on Mark Twain or Poe or Faulkner. My recollection of The Virginian was of a TV series in the 1960s. Nothing could be further from the truth. This is a pleasure and delight all the way through. Why is Owen Wister not more well known than Mark Twain? Twain's "Roughing It" is one of my favorite novels of the west but "The Virginian" so outshines Twain in sheer storytelling that it makes the old master look like a copycat. This is not your dime-store, two-dimensional shoot-em-up western. Beautifully written, characters that lift off the page, a well told engrossing story, AND great literature to boot. Mark Twain move over.

19 people found this helpful

Now My Favorite Western

Any additional comments?

A Powerful romance.

A lot is lost in understanding due to the culture shift of language and understanding of how people spoke at this time (1902) and just understanding every day environment of horses, ranches, terms of the day.

My grandfather lived 1884 to 1984 and spoke the same way. I watch "The Virginian" TV shows with my grandfather & family... Picked this book up quite randomly... Such a gem of a book.

I also highly recommend the following books:
Lonesome Dove
Old Yeller - YOu'll cry when your read this one....
Shane

Note: Shane and Old Yeller are great for younger readers in that they are short books.

13 people found this helpful

Fantastic old-time Western

After visiting Winthrop, WA, where Owen Wister took his wife on their honeymoon, I was compelled to read this novel. The characters are wonderfully developed. The country side is beautifully described. The plot follows what is now a well-recognized pattern, but is still very entertaining. This book set a very high standard for authors of Westerns. I am very glad I listened to it.

3 people found this helpful

Cannot get enough...

The story ends and you are ready for it to begin again. Virtue, love, integrity, friendship...action, drama, intensity...I do not know what is missing.

2 people found this helpful

Best book in a while

This book was such an unexpected surprise. I had heard that it was one of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite books and I had to get a hold of it. And man am I glad I did. This American tale is wonderful from beginning to end. Love the narrator. Love the story.

2 people found this helpful

Really good book!

I've been listening to some classics interspersed with other books recently. This one was available at a special low price so I picked it up. Boy, have I been surprised! It has a good story and the narration is one of the best I've heard.

4 people found this helpful

This is such a great book and such a good reader.

Well worth the 20 plus hours. A journey back in time yet timeless and witty.

1 person found this helpful

Overwritten

We loved this book when we read it aloud to each other in 1968. But now it seems tiresomely overdone. Forced. Admittedly, we only heard the first few chapters before we gave up this time.

1 person found this helpful

Entertaining Western Novel

I loved it, very entertaining narration. He does the Virginian himself very well... picture a young Sam Elliott, and the voice matches.

1 person found this helpful

A Rip-roaring Adventure

The Virginian is now one of my top ten favourite books. It made me laugh, and it made me think, and it is the first and definitive book of the cowboy genre. This is a brilliant look at regional prejudice; the development of the western persona; women's roles in 19th century America, macho culture, and vigilante justice. There's so much to ponder in this entertaining read. Exquisite writing, gripping and funny stories; provocative conflicts -- there's so much to like about this book.

1 person found this helpful