Western novels

[Kit Walker]

My grandfather certainly didn't speak the way Donegan is written, nor do any Kilkenny people that I'm familiar with.

My problem is more with the language used to "give effect" to Donegan's accent. It suffers from a number of what I like to call "Victor McLaglenisms".

Look - to somebody who's not Irish, it really matters very little. Your enjoyment of the books is unlikely to be diminished. I'd certainly reiterate that they are well worth reading, but the "accent" ruins it for me. The main difficulty that I have is consistently being kicked out of what is otherwise a well-realized, well-researched story - akin to constantly hearing an out of tune instrument at the opera.

Yea - I'm only 1/4 Irish.  My maternal Grandfather was just a toddler when his family came over from Limerick, so he didn't carry a strong accent that I remember as a child..

[patricia39]

Why don't you try to read the "Blood Meridian" by Cormac McCarthy? If you'd like to run a Western that would make your players think the end of the world had come. There is no doubt that McCarthy is one of our best authors. His writing style is unique and memorable.

[Colonel Tubby]

Just bought my first ever western novel - The Outlaw Josey Wales - if its as good as the film it'll  be a good read!

[Sheerluck Holmes]

I have been listening to the 'Chick Bowdrie' series of audio books and I have been enjoying them: http://www.louislamour.com/audio/collectedbowdrie3.htm

[Cholly]

I'd highly recommend "White Doves at Morning" by James Lee Burke. More ACW than wild west but a fantastic bit of writing. I also second the recommendation for Elmore Leonard's collected Western Stories and Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy. Blood Meridian is like nothing I've read before, brutal haunting and stunningly realised.

[Galloping Major]

Blood Meridian is like nothing I've read before, brutal haunting and stunningly realised.

I agree with all you chaps re this one, anyone who hasn't read it, I'd recommend you do 


www.gallopingmajorwargames.com