My usual reply when
someone asks me to name my favorite Western novel is generally, "Anything
by Louis L'Amour." I realize that is a pretty broad answer considering the
volume of work he published, but I never met a Louis L'Amour novel or story
that I didn't like.
There's a lot of
good ones and it's near 'bout impossible to pick just one. My favorites of his characters are Tell
Sackett, Milo Talon and Lance Kilkenny. I really like The Sackett Brand because it embodies the attitude that I have
toward family and I love all of the Kilkenny novels. The idea of a lone gunfighter who saves the
day and rides off into the sunset is iconic for anyone one who loves the
Western genre.
However, if I'm
going to have to pick just one, then I'd say my favorite Western novel is Flint
by Louis L'Amour. This is a novel that has it all.
The man who assumes
the name of Jim Flint is an orphan who came from nothing due to the kindness of
a stranger and had everything in life, only to abandon it all. He finds love in an unexpected place and
decides he wants to live again.
As a youngster, this
story had a huge impact on me because Flint was the kind of man that I wanted
to be. A man capable of taking care of
himself, yet wanting more out of life than living it alone. He was a somewhat flawed man who overcame his
hurdles by helping other people. It is a
story of hope.
Yet with all Louis
L'Amour stories, Flint if full of great quotes that illustrate the author's
perspective on life.
"He had come to
New Mexico wanting no trouble. He had
wanted no trouble at Horse Springs, wanted none on North Plain, but long ago he
had discovered that one has to make a stand.
If a man has to run, there is nothing to do but keep running. And if a
man must die, he could at least die proud of his manhood. It was better to live one day as a lion than
a dozen years as a sheep."
That quote is by far
one of my favorites in all of literature and one of the best of L'Amour's
lines, and he had a lot of great ones.
Flint is a novel
that I highly recommend. I've lost count
of the number of times that I've reread it.
As a matter of fact, I think I'm going to crack it open again.
What's your favorite Western novel?
I've always thought that "Flint" contains L'Amour's best descriptive settings with the action taking place in western New Mexico. This one and "Hondo" are my Louis L'Amour favorites.
ReplyDeleteAs for best Western Novel, "Shane" will alway hold that spot in my heart. But there are many to choose from. "McCarthy's Blood Meridan is in that group, but that novel still haunts me to this day.
Haven't reached Flint yet, but I do enjoy L'Amour.
ReplyDeleteLONESOME DOVE
ReplyDeleteDon't know if it's my favorite Western, but it's my favorite L'Amour.
ReplyDeleteIl marmo Verde Canhime è un materiale di origine africana, detto anche “Jungle Green”.
ReplyDeleteUn nuovo marmo di tendenza molto apprezzato per le sue striature d’impatto dall’effetto scenografico.
Il marmo verde Canhimei ha il merito di celebrare l’elemento naturale nell’interior design ricreando la sensazione di una giungla lussureggiante negli ambienti domestici.
La palette colori è composta da una ricca gamma di sfumature verdi, dai toni scuri e profondi a quelli più chiari e tenui, intervallati da diverse tonalità di bianco. Testo del link
Il suo colore varia dal marrone chiaro al marrone scuro, attraversato da trame geometriche irregolari che lo rendono unico e di forte impatto visivo. È un materiale estremamente versatile, perfetto per ambienti interni eleganti e moderni, in particolare per: Top cucina in granito marrone. Rivestimenti murali decorativi. Testo del link
ReplyDelete