High Lonesome

“I think of myself in the oral tradition--as a troubadour, a village taleteller, the man in the shadows of the campfire. That’s the way I’d like to be remembered--as a storyteller. A good storyteller.” -Louis L’Amour
Well, Mr. L’Amour, that’s how I remember you. Every time I’ve picked up one of your books, I knew I was gonna get a good story--another time, another place to give me a break from my own little world. I wasn’t let down with this one, either. Some reviewers see this novel as a bit of a mediocre offering from you, and it may be, but I figure that a mediocre book by Louis L’Amour is better than most everyone else’s. We ride on.

Considine has led a life as an outlaw but has little to show for it. With some fellow outlaws, he plans to rob a bank in the town where a former friend is the law as well as married to the woman he had loved. While he distracts his friend, the rest of the party rob the bank.

During their ride to the Mexican border, they notice a party of Apaches are tracking an elderly man and his daughter. Even though they know a posse is following them, they decide to tackle the Apaches and save the man and his daughter.

Constant action as is typical of a L'Amour novel.

A young man has crossed the line into the outlaw life but when he meets a special young lady his worldview shifts. Is it too late?

I like how L'Amour takes the standard Western plot and adds something more to make it better. I've not yet decided if this one goes to the used book store or stays on my shelves for a reread.

Note: this is a novel length retelling of the short story In Victorio's Country.

As I've said before, westerns are not my favorite genre, not even close. But I still try to stretch myself by reading things that I may not normally choose. Such is the case with this one.

And I didn't like it. The story was very elementary, too simple, really, which is probably why I don't like this genre. It's too simple. Give me complexity and twists.

I listened to the Audible version narrated by David Strathairn. He's an outstanding actor, but his droning voice did nothing to capture my attention. This is one case in which I probably would have liked the printed version better. Maybe I'll reread this one day in paperback format.

The notorious Considine and his band rob the bank in Obaro, but they're faced with the decision of making a run for the border, or helping out an old man and his daughter under attack by the Apaches. A Western classic that proves that the even the toughest gunslinger is not beyond redemption.

Another time, another place. A straightforward story of danger, death, and redemption, with maybe the chance of love in the end.

This is a classic Western with cowboys and Indians and gun fights.

Considine and his band are planning to rob the bank at Obaro where his friend Pete Runyon is the sheriff. On the eve at an outpost they come across a father and his daughter duo who are planning to cross to California through Apache country. Considine and his friends pull off the robbery but while making their escape they see signs of Apaches on the trail of the old man and his daughter. They make a detour to help and what follows is the story.

A light read.