katerister's review against another edition
3.0
Extremely well written, realistic dialogue, great character development. However, I guess westerns just aren’t for me. My rating is a reflection of myself, not the author or the story. If you like westerns, you’d likely enjoy this book quite a bit.
dana_reads_books's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
In 1950s west Texas, fate steps into bring together Harland Cain, an old man facing cancer, and Dodger, a teenager with an abusive home life, on the night they are both trying to kill themselves. Harley takes Dodger under his wing, along with Dodger’s friend Bobby. Harley and Dodger face danger, a group of Mexican criminals, Dodger’s murdering stepfather figure, and adventure together, and become each other’s family. Harley is full of wisdom and integrity that he imparts to the two boys. He teaches them what it means to be honest men of courage and integrity and shows them what their futures can be. This book has beautiful writing and an emotional, moving overarching story. The ending was perfect!
kln679's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
braiker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? No
2.0
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Hmmm, well I seem to be in the minority here - so many people LOVED this, but it just dragged on and on for me. I debated DNF but pushed through. I went with the audio edition (included in Audible Plus, free with membership) and the narrator was good. Very gravely voice, good accents for the characters.
I guess I went in expecting more. Both main characters attempt suicide right at the start, don't finish and come together to form a long-lasting friendship. I did like that premise. But their adventures just seemed too over-the-top for a "realistic" book. Some SPOILERS .... Crossing in and out of Mexico, murder, horse thieves, kidnapping. For an old man and a 15-year old boy to get away with what they did...umm, okay. To have said 15-year old boy meeting/falling for the daughter of the man he killed (that she would get over it as she did), it just didn't work for me.
I guess I went in expecting more. Both main characters attempt suicide right at the start, don't finish and come together to form a long-lasting friendship. I did like that premise. But their adventures just seemed too over-the-top for a "realistic" book. Some SPOILERS .... Crossing in and out of Mexico, murder, horse thieves, kidnapping. For an old man and a 15-year old boy to get away with what they did...umm, okay. To have said 15-year old boy meeting/falling for the daughter of the man he killed (that she would get over it as she did), it just didn't work for me.
jordanthebiblipohile's review against another edition
4.0
Overall: ☆☆☆☆(3.8)
Writing style: ☆☆☆☆
Entertainment :☆☆☆
Characters:☆☆☆☆☆
Plot:☆☆☆
Ending:☆☆☆☆
Writing style: ☆☆☆☆
Entertainment :☆☆☆
Characters:☆☆☆☆☆
Plot:☆☆☆
Ending:☆☆☆☆
pagetuner's review against another edition
5.0
I’m recommending this book to everyone I know! I absolutely loved this story. It transported me to another place and time. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a Western that keeps you on your toes.
blairmadisonwriter's review against another edition
5.0
I took a chance on this book, and I’m so glad that I did. I found this book on audible and it sounded interesting. I’d never heard of this author the book, and the narrator was someone who I had never listened to before. While that made me a little nervous, it was free, so I decided “why not?” I downloaded it, listened, And I LOVED it.
I love gritty, emotional stories and this one definitely starts out pretty dark. But one of my favorite tropes is when two characters meet in unlikely circumstances and they have adventures together, they grow a close bond, and the story has a beautiful ending. This book definitely has that! Harland and Dodger are now one of my favorite character duos! I’m also a sucker for westerns/western-like stories. It’s something about the desert and cowboy hats and horses and farm life that really draws me in!
I really liked the title, and I think that quote I put above perfectly captures the story and life itself. It reminds me of the butterfly effect, and the fact that we all really are connected in one way or another.
This book is a mid-century southern drama that is so well written and has such well rounded, endearing characters. The narrator, Mark Bramhall, was also AMAZING. I couldn’t listen to this book fast enough, honestly. I would HIGHLY recommend it!
I love gritty, emotional stories and this one definitely starts out pretty dark. But one of my favorite tropes is when two characters meet in unlikely circumstances and they have adventures together, they grow a close bond, and the story has a beautiful ending. This book definitely has that! Harland and Dodger are now one of my favorite character duos! I’m also a sucker for westerns/western-like stories. It’s something about the desert and cowboy hats and horses and farm life that really draws me in!
I really liked the title, and I think that quote I put above perfectly captures the story and life itself. It reminds me of the butterfly effect, and the fact that we all really are connected in one way or another.
This book is a mid-century southern drama that is so well written and has such well rounded, endearing characters. The narrator, Mark Bramhall, was also AMAZING. I couldn’t listen to this book fast enough, honestly. I would HIGHLY recommend it!
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