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.

16 su 17 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

A great western tale.

A very enjoyable book to listen to, filled to the brim with fun, and adventure, which tells of the life of the early ranch life in the Wyoming territory. A great read for adults or children alike.

The best

It’s as good as if not better than Netfix’es Longmire but in book form. The best

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.

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.

Early Classic

One of the earliest westerns (1902) which helped launch the genre as people started to look back to a time that had disappeared. Set mainly in the 1880's the story is mainly concerned about "The Virginian" and his life in Wyoming. While it does have some of the tropes that were to become cliche later it does have an authentic feel. Its mainly a character study of the contrast between the settled east and the more open west while drawing a beautiful picture of Wyoming.