Monday, November 16, 2020

Shane by Jack Schaefer

 



3 Quotes from the book:
"He rode into our valley in the summer of '89. ... He was clean-shaven and his face was lean and hard and burned from high forehead to firm, tapering chin. His eyes seemed hooded in the shadow of the hat's brim. He came closer, and I could see that this was because the brows were drawn in a frown of fixed and habitual alertness. Beneath them the eyes were endlessly searching from side to side and forward, missing nothing. ... He rode easily, relaxed in the saddle...yet even in this easiness was a suggestion of tension. It was the easiness of a coiled spring, of a trap set."   
"Only he was not a farmer and never really could be. ... There were times when he would stop and look off at the mountains and then down at himself and any tool he happened to have in his hands as if in wry amusement at what he was doing. You had no impression that he thought himself too good for the work or did not like it. He was just different. He was shaped in some firm forging of past circumstances for other things."

"Those were beautiful fall days, clear and stirring, with the coolness in the air just enough to set one atingling, not yet mounting to the bitter cold that soon would come sweeping down out of the mountains. It did not seem possible that in such a harvest season, giving a lift to the spirit to match the well-being of the body, violence could flare so suddenly and swiftly."


My thoughts:  So, I have a bookish confession to make:  I knew there was a movie called Shane (even though I've never seen it), but I never knew there was a book. Not until I read Sam's review over at Book Chase two months ago. What he said about this book made me want to read it right away. And now I'm not sure I ever want to see the movie because I loved the book so much. It's a more quiet and thoughtful western than most I've read. And there's a poetic quality to Schaefer's writing that I really enjoyed. And Shane? I liked him right from the start. And the young boy who narrates the story is so great. In fact, I liked everything about this one. So, thanks, Sam, for recommending this book! It's a new favorite, and one I think I now want to own.  

Happy Reading! 

30 comments:

  1. I have seen the film but I have not read the book. I remember it being a solidly good movie.

    I have read a limited number of westerns. Based on your comments and thd film, this one sounds very good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I ended up really liking it. But then, I've also liked good westerns. :) Someday I'll have to see the movie.

      Delete
  2. I saw the movie once, but have never read the book. I'm on a Western roll at the moment, and I should include this classic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you're on a Western roll then you should definitely read this one. It's a good one. :)

      Delete
  3. We read this in high school, and I remember it liking it a lot, but I haven't read it since.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I could have read this in high school instead of some of the books I did have to read! :)

      Delete
  4. I've been really wanting to read this since I saw Sam's review, too! I'd always heard of it but never knew much what it was about, before. It sounds really good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is good! And I really enjoyed the writing. :)

      Delete
    2. We did have a few lemons in high school, too!

      Delete
  5. This isn't one I would be drawn to from the cover, but your thoughts on it have thinking I will have to give it a try. If you do end up watching the movie, I hope it's just as good as the book.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Nice! I've heard of the book (via school) but never read it. Maybe I should.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not very long if you wanted to give it a try.

      Delete
  7. Yay! It's always fun when a book someone recommends to you turns out to be a favorite. Sam recommends lots of great-looking titles. I might have to try this one since you both liked it so much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a thoughtful take on a western. And I liked it. :)

      Delete
  8. Sounds like a good one. Hopefully the movie would be as good if you decide to watch it. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If I ever decide to watch the movie I'll let you know how it compares. :)

      Delete
  9. I think I've heard of the movie too but didn't know a book. My grandpa had a few Western books though and some of them were quite interesting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Westerns can be a lot of fun. I like a lot of Louis L'Amour's books. :)

      Delete
  10. I've also heard of the movie but never watched it. I can understand not wanting to watch it, though, after reading and loving the book so much, because a movie can really ruin things! I also try and buy the physical book for my shelf when I really love a book. I'll have to keep this story in mind. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I buy too many books that I love, but I don't care. Having lots of books on my shelves makes me happy. :)

      Delete
  11. So happy that you loved this one as much as I do. The movie is great, but it's not completely true to the book. Jack Palance plays the villain gunfighter and the movie is largely geared to make him see much more evil and invincible than he is in the book - although he's might evil there, too. And the ending is different in the movie. I like both endings but much prefer the book to the movie.

    Just glad you liked it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did like this one. A lot. Which is why I think I'll wait awhile before viewing the movie. :)

      Delete
  12. Hi Lark, Your review and the passages you quoted really make me want to read this book. Shane sounds like a mysterious and compelling character. I know what you mean about the movie sometimes spoiling one's experience of the book. I haven't seen the movie and so not sure how well Alan Ladd fit the title role.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It makes me curious, but not enough to watch the movie yet. Maybe when the book isn't so fresh in my mind. :)

      Delete
  13. It's always so great when a recommendation turns out to be a favorite. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's one of my favorite things about blogging and chatting with other book bloggers. :)

      Delete
  14. Thanks for this, Lark. I remember seeing this book recommended a few years ago but forgot all about it. Will try & find a copy. Hope you are well. 🙂

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm doing good, thanks! And I hope you're able to find a copy of Shane. :)

      Delete