Reviews

Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker

kiar55's review against another edition

4.0

If you saw and liked the movie, you'll like the book. If you haven't seen the movie, this is almost word for word the script with some extra scenes (maybe 3 extra).

criminolly's review against another edition

4.0

An entertaining western that plays a little like a smaller scale version of Lonesome Dove.

cherrick8's review against another edition

4.0

This is the first book I've read by this author. I found it quick-paced and nicely entertaining. Was a good story, good lead characters.

chadmchunt's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.0

Storyline is ridiculous and even the main character is a wanker that annoyed me. Give me a Louis La'more novel anyway over this.

mgromko's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The characters and style remind me of Richard Brautigan's The Hawkline Monster: A Gothic Western.

bookishlibrarian's review against another edition

3.25

I read this for a western training/book group at the library. Most of the westerns I've previously dipped into were from the more literary variety (Cormac McCarthy), very modernized takes on the genre (Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey), or genre hybrids (Lone Women by Victor LaValle), so I wanted to read a more traditional western this time. I had read one of Parker's Spenser books a long time ago and remember liking it, so was interested in his take on the genre. 

Virgil Cole and his sidekick Everett Hitch are hired by the town of Appaloosa as the new lawmen and specifically to deal with the rancher Bragg who has been terrorizing the town. Virgil is a man with a strong moral code and a man of action, not words. (Though his occasional incorrect usage of words he picked up from reading (vigilant/vigorous) was humorous and relatable). Everett, our narrator, is a gunman who operates more out of loyalty to his mentor Virgil than any conviction for what he does. 

This one surprised me in some good ways, in both its pacing and its characters and especially the ending. I also enjoyed the dialogue and the humor. Where it lost me a little is in the character of Allie, Virgil's love interest. Still, I'd pick up another in the series, especially to see where it goes after how this one ends.

krobart's review against another edition

4.0

The novel is full of action, but it stands out because of the friendship between Cole and Hitch and Parker’s ability to create distinctive characters using laconic dialogue and a bare minimum of description. And Parker has not omitted a twinkle of humor, such as when Cole marvels that Mrs. French takes a bath every single day. Although Appaloosa sounds like a traditional Western, it is unusual, especially in its denoument. I found it to be a quick, appealing read.

See my complete review here:

http://whatmeread.wordpress.com/tag/appaloosa/

bookhawk's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My first taste of Robert B. Parker westerns was a success. Parker says more with less in this Virgil Cole  and Everett Hitch novel. Great action, plotting and message in a western. 4 stars.

papidoc's review against another edition

1.0

Awful, just awful. Almost no plot, intrigue, or character development and replete with foul language (seemed like every other word, way beyond what I even hear in high schools these days!). It seemed to exist simply as a slow moving vehicle for bad behavior, brutal violence, and the worst that can be offered in the way of anti-heroes.

I'm seriously disappointed in Parker for putting out this trash heap of a novel. I've seen a decline in the quality and originality of his work in recent years, but this was a massive leap downward. I've been a long time fan of his Spenser series, and also Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall series', but I'm not inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt any more. With these westerns, doubt seems to have turned to conviction. Unless he makes a dramatic turnaround in his work, it’s not worth the time to read anymore.

mynatea's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

New to reading western genres so while these types of plots need getting used to I did enjoy the writing itself.