I am a variety reader and I like books from all categories of fiction, but I was in the bookstore recently and realized there is a whole section on westerns, but I have never read one. I would like to but don't know where to start. I see that many are the mass produced paperback series type of books and I am a bit skeptical of those. Any western recommendations? Are there any classic westerns that everyone should read?
by HBomblebee
7 Comments
Tea Obreht wrote a really good stand-alone called *Inland*
I was in the same position as you and someone recommended Lonesome Dove, it’s one of my favorite books now.
I cut my teeth on Louis L’Amour. Craig Johnson’s Longmire books are more modern if that’s your thing.
Lonesome Dove is the only western I’ve read but it’s very good. Long but good.
Winnetou, surely. That’s THE classic, because everyone has heard about it, even if most people haven’t read/watched any of it.
I’m fond of the Kilkenny series by Louis L’Amour.
Also the Sacketts series, though it’s been years since I read them and I don’t know how they hold up.
Louis L’Amour,
William W. Johnstone,
J. A. Johnstone,
Ralph Compton,
Zane Grey,
Loren D. Estleman,
Ernest Haycox,
Richard S. Wheeler,
J. T. Edson,
Max Brand,
Lewis B. Patten,
Wayne D. Overholser,
Will Henry,
Jonas Ward,
Elmer Kelton,
Matt Braun,
Don Coldsmith,
Ralph Cotton,
Terry C. Johnston,
Elmore Leonard,
Lewis B. Patten,
Bill Pronzini,
Dana Fuller Ross,
Luke Short,
Owen Wister