Radigan

Rating:
Summary: Solid and workmanlike Western
Review: The most striking thing about Radigan is its clear and potent evocation of landscape.In prose that avoids the trap of self-consciosly "literary" and the trap of "fine writing" L'Amour vividly and with enviable economy depicts the snowbound majesty of high mountain peaks in the grip of harsh unyielding weather.The problem is that such passages tend to dwarf the actual plot which while sturdy and functional is not greatly original and unfolds in a style far removed from the authors smooth professionalism
The jerky narrative makes for a slightly unsettling reading experience with events of signifiacnce being related after the event.The climax in particular feels rushed.
Radigan is a standard Western pulp hero;he is a rancher in New Mexico whose ownership is challenged by a woman named Geraldine who claims the ranch is hers by gubnatorial bequest Stelly of purpose and resolve Radigan disputes the claim and the scene is set for his conflict with the alleged new owners.There are ample scenes of gunplay and fisticuffs with two sturdy and independent women to slightly ameliorate the testosterone heavy action and dialogue

I do not often wish books longer but a liitle more narrative infill would have given it a smoother feel and made a capable book that little sharper

Genre lovers only need read.The rest will be unpersuaded.

Rating:
Summary: Solid and workmanlike Western
Review: The most striking thing about Radigan is its clear and potent evocation of landscape.In prose that avoids the trap of self-consciosly "literary" and the trap of "fine writing" L'Amour vividly and with enviable economy depicts the snowbound majesty of high mountain peaks in the grip of harsh unyielding weather.The problem is that such passages tend to dwarf the actual plot which while sturdy and functional is not greatly original and unfolds in a style far removed from the authors smooth professionalism
The jerky narrative makes for a slightly unsettling reading experience with events of signifiacnce being related after the event.The climax in particular feels rushed.
Radigan is a standard Western pulp hero;he is a rancher in New Mexico whose ownership is challenged by a woman named Geraldine who claims the ranch is hers by gubnatorial bequest Stelly of purpose and resolve Radigan disputes the claim and the scene is set for his conflict with the alleged new owners.There are ample scenes of gunplay and fisticuffs with two sturdy and independent women to slightly ameliorate the testosterone heavy action and dialogue

I do not often wish books longer but a liitle more narrative infill would have given it a smoother feel and made a capable book that little sharper

Genre lovers only need read.The rest will be unpersuaded.