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Big Bend
Book by Meade
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1970
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7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 14, 2023
This has a very L'Amour feel for the first half or so then shifts gears completely into Benteen territory (Richard Meade being one of the many names he wrote under). Our hero isn't particularly capable or dangerous, but he's very determined and focused. Things go off the rails for him pretty much right away and while he eventually finds love he loses nearly everything else and is nearly killed multiple times.
Like Elmore Leonard, the author breaks a lot of the cultural mores of the time regarding racial roles and interactions, but it doesn't feel forced or contrived. In fact, everyone behaves very much the way they should given their situation and personality.
Overall this is a good read, if somewhat to pattern.
Like Elmore Leonard, the author breaks a lot of the cultural mores of the time regarding racial roles and interactions, but it doesn't feel forced or contrived. In fact, everyone behaves very much the way they should given their situation and personality.
Overall this is a good read, if somewhat to pattern.
July 23, 2014
This is a cool book that I found in Goodwill. It was published in 1968 by Signet, at a cost of 60 cents to the reader. It has a sensational cover that is very sixties.
The author is Richard Meade, by the way.
It's a western adventure, with a twist. It would have been consciousness-raising in the sixties, in that a white man defers to a black one in terms of putting himself in the position of trusted leader. yeah, if you are younger than me you will probably call that pandering. But here i believe it was a genuine attempt at diversity. Here's the pivotal scene vis a vis that issue:
Concho nodded and smiled, as pleased as a teacher hearing a recitation from a star pupil. "Now you got it," he said. "That's where we git the lay of the land." he took out a pack of Mexican cigarettes found on one of the bodies, and rammed one in his mouth. He snapped a match and looked at Ramsey across the flame. "There's jest one thing to remember," he said. "It's gonna be you and me against twenty men, and the first one that let's the other down, he signin' both our death warrants.Now, somebody got to be in charge of an operation like this. Let's git this settled now. Who it gonna be, you or me."
Ramsey looked at him a moment. Then he said, "I reckon it'll be you. This is more in your line."
Concho looked faintly surprised, and he was not smiling now. "I jest wanted to have it understood. I mean, you a white man and ... and I black.If. . . "
Ramsey said quietly, "I'd just about forgot that until you reminded me." Then he spat into the dust. "You're the expert. Call the turn and I'll follow orders."
It isn't all good- Concho loves the newly widowed beauty of his newly dead friend but knows it can't happen because she falls for Ramsey and yes, Conch gets three in the chest for avenging his friend.. an early example of the brother dies first genre. Which I really dislike. What's that about
It cost me 99 cents to buy it all these years later!
The author is Richard Meade, by the way.
It's a western adventure, with a twist. It would have been consciousness-raising in the sixties, in that a white man defers to a black one in terms of putting himself in the position of trusted leader. yeah, if you are younger than me you will probably call that pandering. But here i believe it was a genuine attempt at diversity. Here's the pivotal scene vis a vis that issue:
Concho nodded and smiled, as pleased as a teacher hearing a recitation from a star pupil. "Now you got it," he said. "That's where we git the lay of the land." he took out a pack of Mexican cigarettes found on one of the bodies, and rammed one in his mouth. He snapped a match and looked at Ramsey across the flame. "There's jest one thing to remember," he said. "It's gonna be you and me against twenty men, and the first one that let's the other down, he signin' both our death warrants.Now, somebody got to be in charge of an operation like this. Let's git this settled now. Who it gonna be, you or me."
Ramsey looked at him a moment. Then he said, "I reckon it'll be you. This is more in your line."
Concho looked faintly surprised, and he was not smiling now. "I jest wanted to have it understood. I mean, you a white man and ... and I black.If. . . "
Ramsey said quietly, "I'd just about forgot that until you reminded me." Then he spat into the dust. "You're the expert. Call the turn and I'll follow orders."
It isn't all good- Concho loves the newly widowed beauty of his newly dead friend but knows it can't happen because she falls for Ramsey and yes, Conch gets three in the chest for avenging his friend.. an early example of the brother dies first genre. Which I really dislike. What's that about
It cost me 99 cents to buy it all these years later!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews