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.

15 su 16 utenti hanno ritenuto utile questa recensione

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 su 3 utenti hanno ritenuto utile questa recensione

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.

11 su 13 utenti hanno ritenuto utile questa recensione

My first full length audio book, I loved it!

This is actually a boo that's assigned for Wyoming history in school! I did not have time for turning pages as I am a full time employee and a father of 3... I truly enjoyed this book, I listened to it in 24 hrs! if you are into the old West, this book is for you!

1 su 1 utenti hanno ritenuto utile questa recensione

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.

3 su 4 utenti hanno ritenuto utile questa recensione

Jane Austen should have read this

All the introspective personal relationships without beating a horse dead (not that the Virginian would stand for such).

Sweeping, adventurous, inspiring

I’m embarrassed to say that I had not considered this book until visiting Winthrop, Wa. with my family. Owen Wister had also spent time in Winthrop. A sign there commemorates his visit. The Virginian is a delicious account of the Western epoch, including a ride through the plains with some of the greatest yet most typical people, values, beauty and adventure that the West had to offer. There is also a taste of the worst of these, without which the best cannot be fully appreciated. As for himself, the Virginian is the embodiment of the hard-earned character and values that all of us should aspire to. This is an inspirational tale.

A favorite...

The Virginian is one of my favorite stories of all time! The narration is good too.

Most Excellent

As complete a western as one could desire to heat. Rich, authentic and complex in dialogue.

Beautiful Classic

Written in an old-fashioned style, this rambling story nevertheless kept me interested in the love and violence of the western frontier. Who cares it it's unrealistically romanticized?