High Lonesome by Louis L’Amour

Considine is a man on the run from the law and his past. Unable to forget the woman he loved or his best friend that is now married to her, Considine decides that his group of tough but lovable outlaws are going to rob the bank in the town of Obaro. That his best friend is the sheriff of Obaro is no deterrent.  Filled with a life of regret, Considine finds a chance of redemption in a chance meeting with Lennie and her outlaw father who are trying to make it to California to leave the past behind.

Louis L’Amour is a storyteller and as such his stories are told very simply without a lot of depth. But, the subject matter of regret, redemption and a high moral code (even if you have robbed a few banks) is something you don’t find in quite the same was as you do in a western. The story is fast paced, characters are easily defined-what you see is what you get. The frame is essential to the ethereal, mystic feeling of the old West portrayed in most of L’Amour’s books. 1962, 152 pages.

Sarah Glory by Christina Starr

Sarah Glorchester is a young golden-haired beauty who can out-hunt and out-shoot any man. As a child, she earns the nickname Sarah Glory. As a woman, she fulfills its promise. Seeking adventure and fortune in the booming Western frontier, Sarah and her beloved father join a caravan bound for the gold mines of California. Tragedy strikes quickly and Sarah must use her skills and wits to survive.

Quick pace with lots of dialogue. Short chapters, short sentences make for a very straight-forward plot. There is not much character development. Side characters are interesting but one-dimensional. Point of view skips-almost at random. Background is minimal-the overall feel of the West and the hardships pioneers faced provides a constant feeling of ill-will. Storyline is exterior and action oriented-details are left out. 2002, 182 pages.

Chancy by Louis L’Amour

Chancy, 19 , has been on his own since he was 13. His father was hung for a crime he really didn’t commit and Chancy has never forgotten. Determined to become a man that has a reputation for respect and dignity, he sets off on a series of adventures that help him learn and grow. A coming of age story told in a story teller tradition. Lots of action without bad language, sex, or graphic violence. 1968, 165 pages.