Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Shane by JACK SCHAEFER ISBN: 0-553-27110-5 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 September, 1983 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.69 (88 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The wild, wild west--through a child's eyes.
Comment: I understand completely why kids assigned this reading for school did not enjoy it. Though told through a young boy's eyes, the writing style is mature and uses many descriptive paragraphs. Though sometimes impatient with description, I loved the story all the more for the details; but some pre-high-school kids will become bored.
It's true that Bob's introspection is unusually discerning for his age. However, some remarks indicate that he could be writing this at a later time in his life, looking back on what happened with a wiser perspective. Either way, the author's depth of observation from an unlikely character can be forgiven as he elicits reader sympathy and understanding. Bob's view of his world may not always be reliable (especially when referring to his hero as "invincible"), but he is always endearing. Reading about Bob's naïve, honest idolization of the mysterious gunman, I wanted Shane to stay, too. And looking beyond Bob's innocent perspective, the mature reader sees things that Bob does not, understanding his parents as well as Shane even better than he does himself.
This work of art manages to stay short (120 pp.) without losing the substance and quality of much longer novels. Any shorter, and something would be missing. Any longer, and the added words or events would be unnecessary, lessening the "punch" that perfect length gives this tale. If all Westerns are as captivating as this jewel, maybe I'll try another one sometime!
Rating: 5
Summary: Perhaps the most eloquent Western ever written.
Comment: Did you like the movie "The Man From Snowy River?" If so, you owe it to yourself to buy and read SHANE, Jack Schaefer's first novel. As is so often the case, Hollywood's version of this beautifully written classic does not begin to capture the integrity of the characters in this book, nor the relationships which develop, nor the love and respect an "ex-gunman-on-the-run" engenders in a Wyoming sodbuster's family, and in any reader with a soul. This book is short, because it contains not one extra or unnecessary word. Every description -- from Shane's posture and dusty clothes as he rides up to a log farmhouse, in the shadow of the Grand Tetons, to the looks of unstated understanding which pass between a boy's father and a stranger who stays for supper, and then stays even longer to help a valley of farmers in trouble -- is poignantly clear and crisp, yet almost understated. Few Westerns have ever gained the degree of admiration that's been s! ! howered on SHANE, and justifiably so. After reading the paperback edition you may even be moved to buy, as I did more than 10 years ago, the "collector's edition," also available through Amazon.com. And once you've read it, you may also find it makes a great gift ... for children of all ages!
Rating: 5
Summary: Classic Western Motifs
Comment: Unlike the reviewer "Barb from Oregon," I believe everything she found detestable in Shane is what makes it a great western. Her firts complaint was to the shallow development of the Shane character. I believe the author intentionally left his past dim, his motivations unkown, as part of the "hero" motif. As to violence--it's a western story depicting a range war, not a court proceeding. The author shows Joe's muscles ripping his shirt in the bar fight for a reason. From the perspective of his son, it was vitally important that he see his father as strong, otherwise his admiration of Shane may have overshadowed his father.
Wild Bill recommends this book for any reader interested in a portrayal of the wild west in its legendary form.
 |
Title: Monte Walsh by Jack Warner Schaefer ISBN: 0803291213 Publisher: Univ of Nebraska Pr Pub. Date: January, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
 |
Title: The Virginian by Owen Wister ISBN: 0812580400 Publisher: Forge Pub. Date: 15 October, 1998 List Price(USD): $4.99 |
 |
Title: Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey ISBN: 0486424561 Publisher: Dover Pubns Pub. Date: 27 September, 2002 List Price(USD): $3.00 |
 |
Title: The Big Sky by A. B. Guthrie, A.B. Guthrie ISBN: 0618154639 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 09 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
 |
Title:Shane ASIN: 0792163710 Publisher: Paramount Home Video Pub. Date: 13 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $14.99 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $12.29 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
