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The Man of the Forest
Milt Dale, the Man of the Forest, learns that Snake Anson and his band of outlaws plan to kidnap Helen Rayner, in order to prevent her from inheriting her uncle's ranch. Reprint.
348 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1920
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About the author
Zane Grey
2,111 books592 followersPearl Zane Grey was an American author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories that presented an idealized image of the rugged Old West. As of June 2007, the Internet Movie Database credits Grey with 110 films, one TV episode, and a series, Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater based loosely on his novels and short stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
May 19, 2022
Western romance heavy on romance
I really didn't enjoy reading this one. There is some very fine descriptive prose - a lot of it. So much that it fills a significant portion of the book. Some of it seemed repetitive. There is also a lot of detail about the beliefs and philosophy of various characters and of the narrator, that is Zane Grey. All of this in introspection, narration and conversation about it.
Many of the characters conduct themselves in strange and unrealistic behavior. For instance, Helen keeps talking about the killings of dangerous, armed villains as murder even though it would obviously be justified self-defense. She claims that it is against her religion which is vague and unspecified.
The romantic entanglements make very frustrating reading for me. People ignore the obvious and avoid talking about important matters. The action portion of the book ends but the book continues at some length.
The 1933 movie based on the book ignores significant parts of it and adds a lot of action. That movie is credited by some with beginning Randolph Scott's career as a western star. Movie critic Dennis Schwartz, wrote "It's a ludicrous B Western that fails to be anything but action-packed, charming and dumb."
I really didn't enjoy reading this one. There is some very fine descriptive prose - a lot of it. So much that it fills a significant portion of the book. Some of it seemed repetitive. There is also a lot of detail about the beliefs and philosophy of various characters and of the narrator, that is Zane Grey. All of this in introspection, narration and conversation about it.
Many of the characters conduct themselves in strange and unrealistic behavior. For instance, Helen keeps talking about the killings of dangerous, armed villains as murder even though it would obviously be justified self-defense. She claims that it is against her religion which is vague and unspecified.
The romantic entanglements make very frustrating reading for me. People ignore the obvious and avoid talking about important matters. The action portion of the book ends but the book continues at some length.
The 1933 movie based on the book ignores significant parts of it and adds a lot of action. That movie is credited by some with beginning Randolph Scott's career as a western star. Movie critic Dennis Schwartz, wrote "It's a ludicrous B Western that fails to be anything but action-packed, charming and dumb."
April 7, 2025
For me, the descriptions and scenes in this book came to life including the rugged and magnificent mountain splendor with its pungent smell of pine and cedar to the high octane stage at the blue smoke filled saloon. The complexity of some of the characters was astounding, particularly that of Tom "Las Vegas" Carmichael, a mild mannered Texas cowhand whose temperament transforms into a dangerous gunslinger upon a drink of whiskey. As I read about Tom, I couldn't help but think of an Oscar winning movie several years ago called "Unforgiven." I was also astounded at the mastery Grey used in describing the emotional and moral conflict of the outlaws in various incidents during the book, which makes the reader understand that most people have both good and evil within their complex natures. Finally, there is a memorable prayer said which should be the hope of everyone on their life journey: "O Lord, blaze the dim, dark trail for them through the unknown forest of life! O Lord, lead the way across the naked range of the future no mortal knows!" Overall not a perfect book, but for me it gets a five.
November 28, 2021
In this story of the Old West, the titular “Man of the Forest,” Milt Dale, lives a self-sufficient life as a hunter in the White Mountains of Arizona. His best friend is a tame cougar that he has named Tom. Dale occasionally visits the nearest town, Pine, but most of the townspeople think of him as a peculiar character, and some fear him and his cougar. One old rancher, Al Auchincloss, believes that Dale has allowed Tom to kill some of his sheep, and as a result, he considers Dale an enemy.
Despite the bad blood between Dale and Al, Dale is determined to intervene when he learns that Al’s rival, Beasley, is plotting to kidnap Al’s niece Helen Rayner, who is about to arrive from the East. Beasley intends to take over Al’s ranch when Al dies, and he has no intention of letting Helen stand in his way. Dale manages to foil the plot by intercepting Helen and her sister Bo and taking them up into the mountains until it appears to be safer for them to go to the ranch. But that’s not the end of Helen and Bo’s troubles with Beasley.
Besides telling this story, Grey is also offering a commentary on American expansion into the West. Although the well-rounded characters are flesh-and-blood people, some of them are also archetypes. Dale is essentially a primitive Westerner most at home in nature, who recognizes and lives by nature’s laws, even when others like Helen may view them as cruel. “Las Vegas” Tom Carmichael, Bo’s love interest, is a Texan who lives by the macho code of the cowboy, which views justice as “an eye for an eye” but also embraces chivalry towards women. Meanwhile, Harve Riggs is an Eastern bully who acts tough but doesn’t measure up to the men of the West and will never survive there.
The primary female characters, Helen and Bo, are as well-drawn as the men. Helen’s maturity and practicality make her a natural to take over her uncle’s ranch. Younger sister Bo is vivacious and excitable, sometimes wild. Both are brave and resilient. Grey suggests that the West will only be civilized through the efforts of women and children, and the young Rayner women are in the vanguard of that civilizing force.
The Man of the Forest is a dramatic and sometimes thrilling story that combines adventure and romance. Grey paints a beautiful picture of the West as it was at a time when much of it was still wild. I seldom read books in the western genre, but I enjoyed this one. I did find some of Grey’s descriptive passages to be unduly long and detailed, but that may just be a function of my shortened 21st-century attention span.
Despite the bad blood between Dale and Al, Dale is determined to intervene when he learns that Al’s rival, Beasley, is plotting to kidnap Al’s niece Helen Rayner, who is about to arrive from the East. Beasley intends to take over Al’s ranch when Al dies, and he has no intention of letting Helen stand in his way. Dale manages to foil the plot by intercepting Helen and her sister Bo and taking them up into the mountains until it appears to be safer for them to go to the ranch. But that’s not the end of Helen and Bo’s troubles with Beasley.
Besides telling this story, Grey is also offering a commentary on American expansion into the West. Although the well-rounded characters are flesh-and-blood people, some of them are also archetypes. Dale is essentially a primitive Westerner most at home in nature, who recognizes and lives by nature’s laws, even when others like Helen may view them as cruel. “Las Vegas” Tom Carmichael, Bo’s love interest, is a Texan who lives by the macho code of the cowboy, which views justice as “an eye for an eye” but also embraces chivalry towards women. Meanwhile, Harve Riggs is an Eastern bully who acts tough but doesn’t measure up to the men of the West and will never survive there.
The primary female characters, Helen and Bo, are as well-drawn as the men. Helen’s maturity and practicality make her a natural to take over her uncle’s ranch. Younger sister Bo is vivacious and excitable, sometimes wild. Both are brave and resilient. Grey suggests that the West will only be civilized through the efforts of women and children, and the young Rayner women are in the vanguard of that civilizing force.
The Man of the Forest is a dramatic and sometimes thrilling story that combines adventure and romance. Grey paints a beautiful picture of the West as it was at a time when much of it was still wild. I seldom read books in the western genre, but I enjoyed this one. I did find some of Grey’s descriptive passages to be unduly long and detailed, but that may just be a function of my shortened 21st-century attention span.
January 18, 2012
Youve no idea how difficult it is to come across a Zane Grey book that is not Riders of the Purple Sage - nothin' wrong with RotPS, but once you read that book (and if you love western books like I do) you thirst for more. Purple Sage just isnt enough.
This was the second book of his that I read and not being familiar with his other stories, I was a bit surprised at the laconic way Grey takes his time in telling the story while letting us inside the head of the main character. I had not expected a 'philosophical' character at all, but I liked it!
This was the second book of his that I read and not being familiar with his other stories, I was a bit surprised at the laconic way Grey takes his time in telling the story while letting us inside the head of the main character. I had not expected a 'philosophical' character at all, but I liked it!
October 23, 2014
Very well-written, descriptive, and captivating. Grey does well developing several different characters in the story, including Dale, Helen, Bo, and the cowboy Las Vegas. It's interesting how a lot of the hero's role is given to Las Vegas in the climax of the action. The author demonstrates the contrast between a man of the woods and a cowboy. Very interesting.
August 27, 2011
Although he started out as a cowboy and still occasionally visits the village of Pine, 30-year-old Milt Dale prefers the solitary life of a hunter. Roaming the White Mountains of Arizona accompanied only by his semi-tame cougar, Dale’s woodsmanship is sufficient to supply him with everything he needs. One day, taking refuge from a storm in an abandoned hut, he accidentally overhears Snake Anson and his gang meeting with a local landowner. Beasley hires Anson to kidnap his rival Al Auchincloss’s young niece who is headed west to help her dying uncle run the ranch. Beasley figures that if she disappears his way will be clear to take over Auchincloss’s ranch. After trying unsuccessfully to warn Auchincloss, Dale surprises himself by deciding to pre-empt Anson by catching Helen Raynor before she boards the stagecoach at Magdalena. “He who had little to do with the strife of men, and nothing to do with anger, felt his blood grow hot at the cowardly trap laid for an innocent girl.”
Laugh if you want, but I love a good western.
Continue reading at http://www.bmorrison.com/blog/
Laugh if you want, but I love a good western.
Continue reading at http://www.bmorrison.com/blog/
August 25, 2019
I read this book as part of my project to read the best-selling book of every year for the past 100 years. This was the best selling book of 1920. I have decided I really like Zane Grey's writing style. This book would not be written today, with the racism and misogyny of the times, and the damsel-in-distress trope is overused, but it was a good story with nature as one of the main characters as well as two independent females who definitely held their own against the bad guys. The message that a modern audience can take from this book is the question of what is important and what should take priority in our lives. Oh, and I also loved the Mormon characters in the book. Some people in the town didn't like them, but everyone respected them and they didn't take themselves too seriously. There were even some super-funny polygamy jokes.
November 30, 2019
This book by Zane Grey was unique in that it involved a number of characters. They were certainly individuals in their personalities but they were all dedicated to doing what was right as they understood it in the Wild West. The ending was pleasingly predictable but it took a series of adventures to get to that point. Grey’s descriptions of the beauty and danger of the west helped the reader to see and feel what his characters we seeing and feeling as they struggled for their lives against the elements and the tough hombres who wanted to steal the ranch. This was one of the more enjoyable stories by Grey that I have read.
August 11, 2015
Profound & Rewarding Adventure
Hooked early with a well constructed drama, the underlying spiritual theme gave pause to how the West was won by the physically determined and morally strong.
Hooked early with a well constructed drama, the underlying spiritual theme gave pause to how the West was won by the physically determined and morally strong.
March 11, 2018
This book was a very pleasant surprise. It was unexpectedly lovely and emotional. It lost a star though for its stereotypical depiction of Native Americans and Mexicans. That's probably how people wrote back then, but I still didn't like it.
April 5, 2025
I discovered western novels when I was in college. I read this one and remember very much enjoying it. I kept the paperback and recently reread it.
Hmm. I didn't enjoy it as much this time. Grey does a wonderful job capturing the beauty and brutality of the American West. His writing reflects attitudes of the time about men, women, Indians, Mexicans, Mormons. Man of the Forest was published in 1920.
It was much slower than I remembered. The long long part in which the two sisters hang out at Milt Dale's hidden retreat - I thought it would never end.
Hmm. I didn't enjoy it as much this time. Grey does a wonderful job capturing the beauty and brutality of the American West. His writing reflects attitudes of the time about men, women, Indians, Mexicans, Mormons. Man of the Forest was published in 1920.
It was much slower than I remembered. The long long part in which the two sisters hang out at Milt Dale's hidden retreat - I thought it would never end.
September 30, 2019
(This same review also appears in "Shane.")
In the previous week (September 16-23, 2019) I read "The Man of the Forest" by Zane Grey, published 1919, saw the movie "Ad Astra," released 2019, and read "Shane" by Jack Shaefer, published 1949. This review is a reflection on all three stories. All three are adventure stories. They are all set at the edge of civilization and the wild. All three have a military/war context. They all feature a main character, a man, as the one person that has the unique skills to face the challenge of the moment. All three main characters face a possible transformation as they confront the challenge. Finally, the transformation, is a metaphor for a larger humanity transformation.
Adventure stories:
Forest - There is a plot to kidnap the young niece, set to inherit her uncle's ranch when he dies, by a greedy, ambitious rancher with low morals.
Shane - A free range rancher, willing to use violence, is battling against peace loving homesteaders.
Ad Astra - The very existence of our solar system is threatened by power surges coming from Neptune.
At the Edge of Civilization:
Forest - Set in the wild west of Arizona. People have settled in the area, but there is still plenty of unclaimed land, and plenty of places where one can exist peacefully with nature, namely "Paradise Park."
Shane - Set in the wild west of Wyoming. A free range rancher resents the encroachment of homesteaders.
Ad Astra - Set at the limits of our solar system (Neptune).
Military/War:
Forest - Published shortly after World War I ended.
Shane - Published shortly after World War II ended.
Ad Astra - Features the militaristic "Space Command."
Main Character:
Forest - Milt Dale, a hunter and loner, more at home in nature than around people. But he has a good heart.
Shane - Shane, a gunslinger and fighter (none better) destined to lead a lonely life. Shane also has a good heart.
Ad Astra - Roy McBride, an exceptionally calm and capable astronaut.
Challenge and Unique Skills Required:
Forest - The battle of nature, the wild west, and encroaching civilization. To solve this requires someone with a deep understanding of inherent violence and cruelty of nature who can also interact with the tamer desires of civilization.
Shane - The battle between ranchers representing the law of force (if you can take it then it is yours) and the advance of civilization (together we can develop rules for the fair distribution of resources). To resolve this requires someone with the power and courage to act in the manner of evil, but is good at heart.
Ad Astra - A mysterious power surge threatens the existence of all human kind. To solve this requires an astronaut of exceptional ability. It also requires an astronaut that is the son of the astronaut threatening civilization.
Transformation:
Forest - A man is someone who deeply understands the characteristics and morals of the natural order. While recognizing that the natural order can be cruel and violent it is part of a man to be kind and protect those that need help. The protecting warrior finds that there are others of his race worth protecting.
Shane - The warrior avenging angel is attempting to give up violence, but, regrettably, finds he cannot. In this case, society is transforming, but Shane cannot participate in that transformation.
Ad Astra - A son finally learns to accept and love his father while rejecting the violence, abuse, and abandonment by his father. In this case, the wounded warrior begins the healing journey.
Just for fun, I liked the movie “Shane” best, followed by the book “Shane”, then the book “The Man of the Forest,” and finally the movie “Ad Astra.”
In the previous week (September 16-23, 2019) I read "The Man of the Forest" by Zane Grey, published 1919, saw the movie "Ad Astra," released 2019, and read "Shane" by Jack Shaefer, published 1949. This review is a reflection on all three stories. All three are adventure stories. They are all set at the edge of civilization and the wild. All three have a military/war context. They all feature a main character, a man, as the one person that has the unique skills to face the challenge of the moment. All three main characters face a possible transformation as they confront the challenge. Finally, the transformation, is a metaphor for a larger humanity transformation.
Adventure stories:
Forest - There is a plot to kidnap the young niece, set to inherit her uncle's ranch when he dies, by a greedy, ambitious rancher with low morals.
Shane - A free range rancher, willing to use violence, is battling against peace loving homesteaders.
Ad Astra - The very existence of our solar system is threatened by power surges coming from Neptune.
At the Edge of Civilization:
Forest - Set in the wild west of Arizona. People have settled in the area, but there is still plenty of unclaimed land, and plenty of places where one can exist peacefully with nature, namely "Paradise Park."
Shane - Set in the wild west of Wyoming. A free range rancher resents the encroachment of homesteaders.
Ad Astra - Set at the limits of our solar system (Neptune).
Military/War:
Forest - Published shortly after World War I ended.
Shane - Published shortly after World War II ended.
Ad Astra - Features the militaristic "Space Command."
Main Character:
Forest - Milt Dale, a hunter and loner, more at home in nature than around people. But he has a good heart.
Shane - Shane, a gunslinger and fighter (none better) destined to lead a lonely life. Shane also has a good heart.
Ad Astra - Roy McBride, an exceptionally calm and capable astronaut.
Challenge and Unique Skills Required:
Forest - The battle of nature, the wild west, and encroaching civilization. To solve this requires someone with a deep understanding of inherent violence and cruelty of nature who can also interact with the tamer desires of civilization.
Shane - The battle between ranchers representing the law of force (if you can take it then it is yours) and the advance of civilization (together we can develop rules for the fair distribution of resources). To resolve this requires someone with the power and courage to act in the manner of evil, but is good at heart.
Ad Astra - A mysterious power surge threatens the existence of all human kind. To solve this requires an astronaut of exceptional ability. It also requires an astronaut that is the son of the astronaut threatening civilization.
Transformation:
Forest - A man is someone who deeply understands the characteristics and morals of the natural order. While recognizing that the natural order can be cruel and violent it is part of a man to be kind and protect those that need help. The protecting warrior finds that there are others of his race worth protecting.
Shane - The warrior avenging angel is attempting to give up violence, but, regrettably, finds he cannot. In this case, society is transforming, but Shane cannot participate in that transformation.
Ad Astra - A son finally learns to accept and love his father while rejecting the violence, abuse, and abandonment by his father. In this case, the wounded warrior begins the healing journey.
Just for fun, I liked the movie “Shane” best, followed by the book “Shane”, then the book “The Man of the Forest,” and finally the movie “Ad Astra.”
March 26, 2018
Comes a tale from a master story-teller of the old West who died in 1939 but whose stories have inspired scores of Hollywood Movies. This one is set in the White Mountains of Arizona.
The American Revolution may have been fought over the issue of British Imperialism but as writers such as Howard Zinn will explain the result was simply the replacement of robber barons in Britain with homegrown entrepreneurs. The western expansion that was to become America’s Manifest Destiny was in part an attempt to escape this exploitation and regimentation. Families such as the Ingalls-Wilders moved many times as soon as civilization became too much for them. Others, such as the heroes of this tale took to the forest to escape the cabals of organized society.
Heroes have fought on behalf of damsels in distress in sagas as old as history. Sometimes the white knight actually wins the heart of a fair maiden.
The descriptive writing here evokes a time and place with loving detail. It is also a tale of greed and betrayal as an aging patriarch is seen as losing the hold he once had on his empire.
The central section of the novel becomes rather didactic with long lectures on animal and plant ecology, still relevant but tending to make the story drag. Who knew that Zane Grey was an environmentalist? The advice regarding wolves has worked to great effect since wolves have been re-introduced to Yellowstone not just for the ungulate population but for the forests and flowers as well.
To further place this story in time the Mexican Grey Wolf native to Arizona was extirpated around the turn of the 1900’s not to be re-introduced until 1998. The last Grizzly near Mt. Baldy was killed in 1939.
The American Revolution may have been fought over the issue of British Imperialism but as writers such as Howard Zinn will explain the result was simply the replacement of robber barons in Britain with homegrown entrepreneurs. The western expansion that was to become America’s Manifest Destiny was in part an attempt to escape this exploitation and regimentation. Families such as the Ingalls-Wilders moved many times as soon as civilization became too much for them. Others, such as the heroes of this tale took to the forest to escape the cabals of organized society.
Heroes have fought on behalf of damsels in distress in sagas as old as history. Sometimes the white knight actually wins the heart of a fair maiden.
The descriptive writing here evokes a time and place with loving detail. It is also a tale of greed and betrayal as an aging patriarch is seen as losing the hold he once had on his empire.
The central section of the novel becomes rather didactic with long lectures on animal and plant ecology, still relevant but tending to make the story drag. Who knew that Zane Grey was an environmentalist? The advice regarding wolves has worked to great effect since wolves have been re-introduced to Yellowstone not just for the ungulate population but for the forests and flowers as well.
To further place this story in time the Mexican Grey Wolf native to Arizona was extirpated around the turn of the 1900’s not to be re-introduced until 1998. The last Grizzly near Mt. Baldy was killed in 1939.
January 13, 2025
What can I say? If you like Zane Grey, you will almost certainly like this book because it has the exact same plot as many other Zane Grey books, just with different names and a different setting. Otherwise the formula is followed:
✓ Socially awkward but incredibly wise and tough main character
✓ Attempt to live his own life away from everyone foiled by evil guys
✓ Beautiful young woman who secretly falls in love with main character
✓ Main character confused by her affection and pushes her away
✓ Bad guys try to do main character's friends and love interest dirty
✓ Main character cleverly outsmarts and ultimately dispatches evil guys
✓ Main character reflects on his life and realizes that living alone in the [woods, desert, mountains] is not what he wants after all
✓ Main character and beautiful young woman admit their feelings for each other and get married
As may be inferred from this list, I did not find the formula satisfying. To be succinct, I didn't find it satisfying after having read other Zane Grey books with the exact same plot points. I'll admit that I probably am just not a Zane Grey fan and that these formulaic hot, dusty, gritty stories just aren't my thing. If it is your thing, then this might be a 4 or 5 star book. I wouldn't know.
Overall the writing is pretty good (though at times wandering and overly descriptive) and the storyline (the first time around) is interesting enough and has all of the desirable elements of a western romantic adventure story. It's just that I kept having the haunting feeling that I had read this book before. Several times.
✓ Socially awkward but incredibly wise and tough main character
✓ Attempt to live his own life away from everyone foiled by evil guys
✓ Beautiful young woman who secretly falls in love with main character
✓ Main character confused by her affection and pushes her away
✓ Bad guys try to do main character's friends and love interest dirty
✓ Main character cleverly outsmarts and ultimately dispatches evil guys
✓ Main character reflects on his life and realizes that living alone in the [woods, desert, mountains] is not what he wants after all
✓ Main character and beautiful young woman admit their feelings for each other and get married
As may be inferred from this list, I did not find the formula satisfying. To be succinct, I didn't find it satisfying after having read other Zane Grey books with the exact same plot points. I'll admit that I probably am just not a Zane Grey fan and that these formulaic hot, dusty, gritty stories just aren't my thing. If it is your thing, then this might be a 4 or 5 star book. I wouldn't know.
Overall the writing is pretty good (though at times wandering and overly descriptive) and the storyline (the first time around) is interesting enough and has all of the desirable elements of a western romantic adventure story. It's just that I kept having the haunting feeling that I had read this book before. Several times.
September 12, 2017
This book paints an idealized picture of the West, which is not realistic but nor intended to be. (It is my first Zane Gray novel, but I gather that such idealization is a common theme of his.) The extremes of virtue vs. vice in the characters was still off-putting for me, as was the casual acceptance of bigotry which, in fairness to Grey, was the norm for that time and place. The writing's strongest point is the descriptions of nature, among the best I have ever seen.
May 18, 2020
I read a lot of western books and I have to say nobody can tell tell a story like Zane Grey. Man of the Forest is one of my favourites....I’ve tried many other authors but always wind up disappointed..Not sure what my next novel will be but I’m kind of leaning towards Lights of the Western Stars?? Haven’t read that one in a couple of years...
March 14, 2023
Zane Grey's prose is so eloquent, that it is easy to imagine that you are right there with a bird's eye view of the story unfolding. Filled with adventure, romance, action, suspense and beauty they draw you back to the old West in the final stages of it's taming by brave men and strong women who love life and live it to the fullest.
I really enjoyed this read. You will too.
I really enjoyed this read. You will too.
May 26, 2021
Expetacular
Since my teens I was in love with the wild west stories. A fan of John Wayne. No better cowboy than him. Also I admire the courage of all men an women that venture to go to the wild west. This story is great. I recommend to you if you love stories of the brave man that dare to go after their dream of a better life.
Since my teens I was in love with the wild west stories. A fan of John Wayne. No better cowboy than him. Also I admire the courage of all men an women that venture to go to the wild west. This story is great. I recommend to you if you love stories of the brave man that dare to go after their dream of a better life.
November 28, 2021
Zane Grey Knows How to. Spin a Tale
I might ha e given this 4 stars except for the strength of the story. Grey's beautiful scene setting and description s were a bit too much, even for me, and I love to see a setting. Well. In addition, this reader stumbled a lot over his overdone accent spellings. Good, anyhow.
I might ha e given this 4 stars except for the strength of the story. Grey's beautiful scene setting and description s were a bit too much, even for me, and I love to see a setting. Well. In addition, this reader stumbled a lot over his overdone accent spellings. Good, anyhow.
May 1, 2022
Nice twist on standard western
The storyline was excellent but the pacing was a bit off.
I read westerns for the action. They're meant to be light reads. I don't mind setting the scene but the author takes too much time flying in tangents describing the surroundings or on philosophic musings. I could skip whole pages at a time, nevertheless it was enjoyable.
The storyline was excellent but the pacing was a bit off.
I read westerns for the action. They're meant to be light reads. I don't mind setting the scene but the author takes too much time flying in tangents describing the surroundings or on philosophic musings. I could skip whole pages at a time, nevertheless it was enjoyable.
October 4, 2012
I've been curious about Zane Grey ever since watching M*A*S*H as a kid. But after 100 pages of some of the worst dialogue I have ever read in my life… I’ve come to the conclusion that Sherman T. Potter was senile.
November 23, 2017
A beautiful portrait of man and nature. Brings out the spirit and romance of the Wild West.
You can smell the forest and the plains. And drink in the beauty. This book was as fast paced as a mustang.
You can smell the forest and the plains. And drink in the beauty. This book was as fast paced as a mustang.
July 30, 2018
Excellent
Beautifully written. Wonderful descriptions of the forest and country side. Very good characters which come alive. Expected ending as it came but would have been disappointed had it ended otherwise.
Beautifully written. Wonderful descriptions of the forest and country side. Very good characters which come alive. Expected ending as it came but would have been disappointed had it ended otherwise.
August 29, 2018
Flowing, beautiful, thoughtful prose. Paints a picture of the old West that draws you in and helps you understand that rugged, dangerous world.
A perfect example of the Western genre. Guns and glory. Rugged, real and beautiful. Lose your self in the old west.
A perfect example of the Western genre. Guns and glory. Rugged, real and beautiful. Lose your self in the old west.
November 27, 2019
Living life in the wilderness prepares men and women with
Strengths and abilities to resist evil doers, help their friends and surmount obstacles on every hand, winning in the end, love and life.
Strengths and abilities to resist evil doers, help their friends and surmount obstacles on every hand, winning in the end, love and life.
July 8, 2020
Written 100 years ago and one of the best Zane Grey books I've ever read. If you ever want to visit northern New Mexico and Northern Arizona without leaving your home read this book or just about any of Zane Grey's books. He was one of the best at describing scenery of any author I've read.
October 5, 2021
Another Great story by Zane Grey. I enjoyed this book compared to his others because obviously the scenery is different from his regular western books.
Some of the scenes are a bit hokish in relation to the mountain lion.
But still a very enjoyable read and ending.
Some of the scenes are a bit hokish in relation to the mountain lion.
But still a very enjoyable read and ending.
June 11, 2025
Grey's descriptive prose on nature and scenery is phenomenal, yes, and I was gladly surprised with the value given to not one but two very different female perspectives, even if limited by the times, but I don't think I can forgive the unfortunate veil of racism that looms over the whole book. Racially charged insults and vocabulary aside, the imbalance in character complexity, value and importance is just palpable, ranging from reinstating a character's skin color literally every time he's mentioned, to not treating another by name, to having another be unforgivably despicable, while the white characters are nuanced and well distributed on a cruelty scale.
That said, I was honestly touched by other parts of the book, mostly over the second section. His views on religion, nature and humanity's place on it led to great discussions, and his descriptions of the natural environment focus on the perfect details to convey the exact sense of peace – or anxiety – he intended. All the action scenes are also great, especially the forest ones, and keep the story going most of the time. Unfortunately, by the end I could barely remember all these good parts, even if they do deserve praise.
That said, I was honestly touched by other parts of the book, mostly over the second section. His views on religion, nature and humanity's place on it led to great discussions, and his descriptions of the natural environment focus on the perfect details to convey the exact sense of peace – or anxiety – he intended. All the action scenes are also great, especially the forest ones, and keep the story going most of the time. Unfortunately, by the end I could barely remember all these good parts, even if they do deserve praise.
June 28, 2025
It's refreshing to read older works (this one was written around 1920) with a moral structure that hasn't been hacked apart by modern ideas. Men are still men. Women are still women. Neither is trying to be the other. Even the villains of the story respect a woman because she's a woman - with no other reason needed. There is a code of honor which dictates that even the criminals of the story treat a woman respectfully. I need to read more Zane Grey even if it's just for this reason. (There are some noticeable pejoratives used in reference to Mexicans and Native Americans. This is not the moral structure I'm referring to. Not everything should be carried into the future from the past.)
This one is miles better than Wild Horse Mesa which I'd previously read. Zane was at the top of his game with this one, telling a story with his unique love of God's creation spilling out into the pages - especially when he describes the scene around his characters.
The story was made into a movie in 1933, which I will rush to watch, hoping to relive the excellent storytelling of this book one more time.
This one is miles better than Wild Horse Mesa which I'd previously read. Zane was at the top of his game with this one, telling a story with his unique love of God's creation spilling out into the pages - especially when he describes the scene around his characters.
The story was made into a movie in 1933, which I will rush to watch, hoping to relive the excellent storytelling of this book one more time.
November 15, 2024
This is the only other Western I've read since Lonesome Dove, and it was an experience. When Grey waxes philosophical, he reminds me strongly of Ayn Rand. I like her style so that's not terrible (her politics, I outgrew). The book is long on description and medium on plot, long on characterization and short on people being decent. It's 100 years old and it reads just like the incel onslaught of today: men telling women if they can't have the woman, no one can, or saying they are good guys then doing no actions, it's maddening that we have made no progress. My other complaint is that the two women are called "girls" throughout - one is 20 and one is not given an age. Is she 8? is she 17? No one knows. She is the most interesting character but also blamed for men's attentions and told it's all good fun when she's assaulted. There's also a lot of dated references for Mexican and Native peoples that shock the modern ear.
Anyway. It was worth reading for the descriptions of the West and I'll probably try Riders of the Purple Sage later.
Anyway. It was worth reading for the descriptions of the West and I'll probably try Riders of the Purple Sage later.
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