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Light of the Western Stars #1
The Light of Western Stars
Madeline Hammond walks straight into trouble from the moment she steps off the train in New Mexico. Almost tricked into marriage by a drunken cowboy, Madeline quickly realizes she has much to learn if she is going to survive life on her brother's ranch in the southwestern territory.
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1914
268 people are currently reading
742 people want to read
About the author
Zane Grey
2,076 books590 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 91 reviews
April 5, 2016
One of my favorite Zane Grey novels. I love the romance, the tension, the devotion, and especially the character Gene Stewart. If you are one who reads the ending first, don't do that with this book - it will spoil a lot of it.
PS. Be sure to read the sequel, Magesty's Rancho, as well.
PS. Be sure to read the sequel, Magesty's Rancho, as well.
July 5, 2014
"The Light of Western Stars" is the 12th Zane Grey book that I've read, and far better than I expected. "Stars" takes places roughly in the same year that it was published, 1914, about the same time as the publication of "The Rainbow Trail." "Stars" begins in the same fashion as the former book. A stranger from the East journeys to the Southwest, and the fish out of water plot commences. This time, the newcomer is Majesty Hammond, a wealthy woman from a patrician New York area family.
Grey writes some amazing heroines, and Majesty might be at the top of a distinguished list. "Stars" is written in the third person, solely from Majesty's point of view. So we don't get to see the cattle drives or the gun play (except in a few critical spots) that are featured in Grey's novels told from the cowboy or gunslinger perspective. What we do see is Majesty planning, ruminating, and reveling in the ranch life that she experiences. She goes from being a terribly bored and emotionally empty member of the early 20th century leisure class to an active owner of a huge rancho on the New Mexico/Mexico border. And there's a revolution going on down South.
Might I add that there is a love story undercurrent that Majesty stubbornly refuses to realize until the tumultuous end. The object of her extremely suppressed affections is Glen Stewart, her trail boss. Stewart also goes through a momentous character arc, from drunken yahoo to selfless hero. Former gunslingers Monty, Link, and Nels, round out a great trio of secondary characters.
Every Zane Grey book I've read has a big set piece, usually, but not always, near the finale. As other reviewers have noted, "Stars" has one of the best. In 1914, huge, crank-started cars were around but not in wide use. Few roads pierced their way through the Southern New Mexico desert. Grey gives us a fantastic car race to the border and beyond, in an era when cars where not common, prone to breakdowns and flat tires, and viewed by people as a terrifying travel option.
CRINGE ALERT: The cowboys' constantly use the term "Greaser" to refer to Mexicans. Though he does introduce a few minor, admirable Mexican characters, modern reader me needed to swallow my 21st century sensibilities when that epithet came around. Kinda like Black high school kids reading "Huckleberry Finn" or Jewish audiences watching "The Merchant of Venice."
Grey writes some amazing heroines, and Majesty might be at the top of a distinguished list. "Stars" is written in the third person, solely from Majesty's point of view. So we don't get to see the cattle drives or the gun play (except in a few critical spots) that are featured in Grey's novels told from the cowboy or gunslinger perspective. What we do see is Majesty planning, ruminating, and reveling in the ranch life that she experiences. She goes from being a terribly bored and emotionally empty member of the early 20th century leisure class to an active owner of a huge rancho on the New Mexico/Mexico border. And there's a revolution going on down South.
Might I add that there is a love story undercurrent that Majesty stubbornly refuses to realize until the tumultuous end. The object of her extremely suppressed affections is Glen Stewart, her trail boss. Stewart also goes through a momentous character arc, from drunken yahoo to selfless hero. Former gunslingers Monty, Link, and Nels, round out a great trio of secondary characters.
Every Zane Grey book I've read has a big set piece, usually, but not always, near the finale. As other reviewers have noted, "Stars" has one of the best. In 1914, huge, crank-started cars were around but not in wide use. Few roads pierced their way through the Southern New Mexico desert. Grey gives us a fantastic car race to the border and beyond, in an era when cars where not common, prone to breakdowns and flat tires, and viewed by people as a terrifying travel option.
CRINGE ALERT: The cowboys' constantly use the term "Greaser" to refer to Mexicans. Though he does introduce a few minor, admirable Mexican characters, modern reader me needed to swallow my 21st century sensibilities when that epithet came around. Kinda like Black high school kids reading "Huckleberry Finn" or Jewish audiences watching "The Merchant of Venice."
June 17, 2023
This is the saga of Madeline and Gene. They meet in chapter one when Madeline arrives at the El Cajon train station expecting to see her brother. Instead she is accosted by a drunk cowboy. She's a rich very young woman from back east somewhere and is not prepared for the rough life of the wild west.
The book was first published on January 1, 1014 when my grandmother was four years old. Pearl Zane Grey's first novel was published in 1903. The Light of Western Stars was his 13th novel.
Well, let's get into it. Why only three stars from me?
First, I didn't like when I read "greaser" the first time. Sure didn't like it the fiftieth time either. I know a lot of Grey fans excuse the racist terminology as "a sign of the times." You know, the times that allowed people way back then to use words we would likely never use or hear these days. I guess his characters were expected to think very poorly of the dark skinned people from south of the border... but I just don't think that's a good enough excuse to write in disparaging ways about them, even in 1913. I don't know what Grey's opinions were or why he kept calling the Mexicans "greasers" - I only know that I certainly didn't appreciate it. I used to be married to a Mexican and two of my daughters are half Mexican, so I'm not taking this lightly.
Second, the events of this story were extremely unlikely. With the car in the desert I kept wondering where in the world they were buying gasoline. Also, how many spare tires were they packing? And let's not forget the slow-burn romance. That was so, so, so unlikely... just saying. The last thing Madeline needed was an alcoholic cowboy.
Third, at the mid-point of the book I hit a chapter that just about bored me to some extremely annoyed tears. It was titled "Cowboy Golf" . . . . and oh my goodness... what a useless waste of words. It didn't advance the story... it just gave play-by-play boring descriptions of cowboys playing an unlikely game of golf in the desert. Every other chapter in the book was so much better.
I read this book for the 2023 version of "June on the Range" - a Booktube adventure during which we were to read at least one Louis L'Amour novel and one Zane Grey novel, plus two others. I'd already finished The Californios by Louis L'Amour and Shane by Jack Schaefer, and loved both those books. They were both five-star reads for me. I'm really sorry my experience with Zane Grey wasn't nearly so happy.
I read both via Kindle and via audiobook. My audiobook version came with three other Zane Grey novels. It is unlikely that I'll read the other three novels unless if next June on the Range I'm again asked to read a Zane Grey novel. Then, maybe.
The story of Madeline's adventure in the wild west had some merits, but the word "greaser" really ruined it for me. There were some Mexican characters described in a positive light, but most were depicted as low-life scoundrels from somewhere south of El Cajon.
Adios, amigos.
The book was first published on January 1, 1014 when my grandmother was four years old. Pearl Zane Grey's first novel was published in 1903. The Light of Western Stars was his 13th novel.
Well, let's get into it. Why only three stars from me?
First, I didn't like when I read "greaser" the first time. Sure didn't like it the fiftieth time either. I know a lot of Grey fans excuse the racist terminology as "a sign of the times." You know, the times that allowed people way back then to use words we would likely never use or hear these days. I guess his characters were expected to think very poorly of the dark skinned people from south of the border... but I just don't think that's a good enough excuse to write in disparaging ways about them, even in 1913. I don't know what Grey's opinions were or why he kept calling the Mexicans "greasers" - I only know that I certainly didn't appreciate it. I used to be married to a Mexican and two of my daughters are half Mexican, so I'm not taking this lightly.
Second, the events of this story were extremely unlikely. With the car in the desert I kept wondering where in the world they were buying gasoline. Also, how many spare tires were they packing? And let's not forget the slow-burn romance. That was so, so, so unlikely... just saying. The last thing Madeline needed was an alcoholic cowboy.
Third, at the mid-point of the book I hit a chapter that just about bored me to some extremely annoyed tears. It was titled "Cowboy Golf" . . . . and oh my goodness... what a useless waste of words. It didn't advance the story... it just gave play-by-play boring descriptions of cowboys playing an unlikely game of golf in the desert. Every other chapter in the book was so much better.
I read this book for the 2023 version of "June on the Range" - a Booktube adventure during which we were to read at least one Louis L'Amour novel and one Zane Grey novel, plus two others. I'd already finished The Californios by Louis L'Amour and Shane by Jack Schaefer, and loved both those books. They were both five-star reads for me. I'm really sorry my experience with Zane Grey wasn't nearly so happy.
I read both via Kindle and via audiobook. My audiobook version came with three other Zane Grey novels. It is unlikely that I'll read the other three novels unless if next June on the Range I'm again asked to read a Zane Grey novel. Then, maybe.
The story of Madeline's adventure in the wild west had some merits, but the word "greaser" really ruined it for me. There were some Mexican characters described in a positive light, but most were depicted as low-life scoundrels from somewhere south of El Cajon.
Adios, amigos.
June 25, 2015
What an amazing ride! If only I could find more Zane Grey books like this one!
I think perhaps the reason I like it so much is that it is told from the woman's perspective. I'm not really sure. I feel in love with every single on of "Majesty's" cowboys. None more so than Gene Stewart. What a man. I embarrass myself sometimes. I love how much he loved her from afar, trying to be everything she wanted and keeping her safe.
All of the cowboys change with her around, they go from hardened men, to big softies. Doing anything to keep her safe and happy. Even so much as to die for her. The bad guys are really over the top bad, but that's exactly how I like my westerns.
This story is like a rose. You think it is the most beautiful thing you have ever read and then another petal opens and you can't imagine it can get more wonderful and another petal opens. The padre's story? Oh my I smiled so much. Such perfect timing. I could so see myself in Madeline's agony both before and after.
The ending? Oh my gosh, chills and tears. What suspense. What a thrill. I read online that people were unsatisfied with the ending, and I get that. I would have loved an embrace and a kiss, but for sheer drama, that one couldn't have been beat.
I think perhaps the reason I like it so much is that it is told from the woman's perspective. I'm not really sure. I feel in love with every single on of "Majesty's" cowboys. None more so than Gene Stewart. What a man. I embarrass myself sometimes. I love how much he loved her from afar, trying to be everything she wanted and keeping her safe.
All of the cowboys change with her around, they go from hardened men, to big softies. Doing anything to keep her safe and happy. Even so much as to die for her. The bad guys are really over the top bad, but that's exactly how I like my westerns.
This story is like a rose. You think it is the most beautiful thing you have ever read and then another petal opens and you can't imagine it can get more wonderful and another petal opens. The padre's story? Oh my I smiled so much. Such perfect timing. I could so see myself in Madeline's agony both before and after.
The ending? Oh my gosh, chills and tears. What suspense. What a thrill. I read online that people were unsatisfied with the ending, and I get that. I would have loved an embrace and a kiss, but for sheer drama, that one couldn't have been beat.
November 11, 2012
This is Zane Grey's best western ever! I've read some of his other books like "Riders of the Purple Sage" and "The Last Trail" which where good but this one was amazing!!! As soon as the book started there was action and I knew that I would throughly enjoy this title. I wish that he wouldn't write out the swear words that the cowboys use. (He has only used 2 words) but in some titles (like Riders of the Purple Sage) they swore ALOT!!! His descriptions of places and landscapes and so such, are really good and very descriptive. I love all the characters and I hope that you will get this book and read it and enjoy it like I did! There is also a sequel to this book, but I haven't been able to find it yet, but I'll be looking :D
January 11, 2019
This somewhat melodramatic story of a British heiress who finds herself an owner of a ranch in the southwest not far from the border into Mexico can be both contemplative and fast moving. As usual, Mr. Grey provided plenty of description of this region of the west, and it is a wonder to think on. Probably the most interesting parts of the book deal with the automotive transportation and its difficulties in the early 20th century. Notwithstanding the primitiveness of cars during that period, the cars themselves were not the only drawback in using these "horseless carriages." The lack of roads was also a stumbling block, which makes for a very interesting narrative in various parts of the book.
In any case, I found some of the book to be a bit sluggish, but as he always seems to accomplish, Zane Grey provides some extremely memorable scenes. Particularly towards the end of the novel. He literally provides a climax that is hard to forget, regardless of the lack of graphic violence or sensuality. As I read the last few pages, I could almost see Sergio Leone directing off in the distance with the music of Ennio Morricone playing in the background.
I also found it interesting how the author peered into the minds of his characters to the point where I could have sworn some of them were a bit schizophrenic or, at least, completely conflicted. The reader cannot help but look at this with a bit of self-examination.
In summary, the book is an excellent read with a never to be forgotten ending. Highly recommended.
In any case, I found some of the book to be a bit sluggish, but as he always seems to accomplish, Zane Grey provides some extremely memorable scenes. Particularly towards the end of the novel. He literally provides a climax that is hard to forget, regardless of the lack of graphic violence or sensuality. As I read the last few pages, I could almost see Sergio Leone directing off in the distance with the music of Ennio Morricone playing in the background.
I also found it interesting how the author peered into the minds of his characters to the point where I could have sworn some of them were a bit schizophrenic or, at least, completely conflicted. The reader cannot help but look at this with a bit of self-examination.
In summary, the book is an excellent read with a never to be forgotten ending. Highly recommended.
August 4, 2016
Oh god. This started out as a fun activity and has now turned into a Sisyphean task.
But first, backstory. I’m writing a western. Yes, a western. Hey, they say write about what you know, and I know about the Southwest. Also, research helps. Thus, I thought, you know, I’ve seen lots of westerns, I should also read some. So a while back (probably about a year now, god I’m bad at life) I bought three westerns. 1.) How the West Was Won because I saw the movie and figured it was pretty classic. Same for 2.) The Ox-Bow Incident. The third one I got, 3.) The Light of Western Skies, is a Zane Grey novel, because Zane Grey’s got his fingers in all the pies out here. Hell, there’s a ballroom named after him at the fancy, old-timey, tourist-trap hotel in our downtown here in Flagstaff. I used to go sliding down a waterfall named after him in the Tonto forest. So I was thinking, this’ll be classic too.
I want to poke my eyes out.
This is bad. And not just in the “vainly attempt to overlook the overt racism and misogyny of the time” kind of bad. Because that’s bad. Apparently all Mexicans are dirty and lazy if left to their own devices and will only be clean and hard-working if you as a white person force them to be so. Oh, and don’t forget, treacherous. And cowardly. And you also can’t tell how old they are because not white. And probably all these white people think they look the same because racism.
Then there’s also the misogyny. I think this is most deeply rooted in the depiction of the main character as being so perfect. She’s pretty and wonderful when she firsts comes out to the West but she literally does nothing else except for getting more wonderful and pretty. She literally says that her “beauty has trebled” since she came West. She’s not full of herself at all, that one. Literally everyone is in love with her. And she’s dumb as a bag of bricks. And condescending. She pretends to take these cowboys seriously but really she just sees them as quaint. There’s nothing to her. She’s not interesting, she’s not flawed, she’s not even useful. I can’t figure out the point of her, except that he needed a main character.
Madeline seriously is too perfect. There was an inkling of hope at the beginning when her brother’s like, “I lost all my fortune and cattle and everything because being dumb as a bag of bricks runs in the family,” and they could have really struggled. But she simply writes a check and all the bad things go away. The run-down ranch becomes as pretty and wonderful as she is and all their hopes and dreams come true and if only other people would just stop being so nasty and let them enjoy it then everything would be wonderful and pretty and perfect!
And don’t get me started on the chapter solely devoted to “desert golf”. I thought I was gonna hurl.
There were also many things which were an affront to us native Southwesterners. Such as, “the grotesque shapes of yucca and ocotillo”??? Are you really from the Southwest??? Because yucca and ocotillo are BEAUTIFUL, YOU DAMN FOOL. Or, when the party is riding to a camping spot and a thunderstorm is rising up. The leader of the party is like, “let’s keep going” and where do they end up? On a mountain top. Where they are more likely to be struck by lightning. Or washed completely away by torrential rains. What idiots.
Ultimately, this book rubbed me the wrong way. The action didn’t have the right pacing, I didn’t care about the characters, and the meaning felt preachy. Men are manly and ladies are feminine and fainting and you better be the best person ever or else everyone will hate you! Oh, I’m sorry, wait, you better make sure everyone knows you’re the best person or they’ll hate you anyway automatically assuming the worst of you. And judging you unnecessarily.
If the rest of Zane Grey’s novels are like this, count me out. If there’s one in the pack that could redeem him, let me know. I’ll take the chance, I guess.
But first, backstory. I’m writing a western. Yes, a western. Hey, they say write about what you know, and I know about the Southwest. Also, research helps. Thus, I thought, you know, I’ve seen lots of westerns, I should also read some. So a while back (probably about a year now, god I’m bad at life) I bought three westerns. 1.) How the West Was Won because I saw the movie and figured it was pretty classic. Same for 2.) The Ox-Bow Incident. The third one I got, 3.) The Light of Western Skies, is a Zane Grey novel, because Zane Grey’s got his fingers in all the pies out here. Hell, there’s a ballroom named after him at the fancy, old-timey, tourist-trap hotel in our downtown here in Flagstaff. I used to go sliding down a waterfall named after him in the Tonto forest. So I was thinking, this’ll be classic too.
I want to poke my eyes out.
This is bad. And not just in the “vainly attempt to overlook the overt racism and misogyny of the time” kind of bad. Because that’s bad. Apparently all Mexicans are dirty and lazy if left to their own devices and will only be clean and hard-working if you as a white person force them to be so. Oh, and don’t forget, treacherous. And cowardly. And you also can’t tell how old they are because not white. And probably all these white people think they look the same because racism.
Then there’s also the misogyny. I think this is most deeply rooted in the depiction of the main character as being so perfect. She’s pretty and wonderful when she firsts comes out to the West but she literally does nothing else except for getting more wonderful and pretty. She literally says that her “beauty has trebled” since she came West. She’s not full of herself at all, that one. Literally everyone is in love with her. And she’s dumb as a bag of bricks. And condescending. She pretends to take these cowboys seriously but really she just sees them as quaint. There’s nothing to her. She’s not interesting, she’s not flawed, she’s not even useful. I can’t figure out the point of her, except that he needed a main character.
Madeline seriously is too perfect. There was an inkling of hope at the beginning when her brother’s like, “I lost all my fortune and cattle and everything because being dumb as a bag of bricks runs in the family,” and they could have really struggled. But she simply writes a check and all the bad things go away. The run-down ranch becomes as pretty and wonderful as she is and all their hopes and dreams come true and if only other people would just stop being so nasty and let them enjoy it then everything would be wonderful and pretty and perfect!
And don’t get me started on the chapter solely devoted to “desert golf”. I thought I was gonna hurl.
There were also many things which were an affront to us native Southwesterners. Such as, “the grotesque shapes of yucca and ocotillo”??? Are you really from the Southwest??? Because yucca and ocotillo are BEAUTIFUL, YOU DAMN FOOL. Or, when the party is riding to a camping spot and a thunderstorm is rising up. The leader of the party is like, “let’s keep going” and where do they end up? On a mountain top. Where they are more likely to be struck by lightning. Or washed completely away by torrential rains. What idiots.
Ultimately, this book rubbed me the wrong way. The action didn’t have the right pacing, I didn’t care about the characters, and the meaning felt preachy. Men are manly and ladies are feminine and fainting and you better be the best person ever or else everyone will hate you! Oh, I’m sorry, wait, you better make sure everyone knows you’re the best person or they’ll hate you anyway automatically assuming the worst of you. And judging you unnecessarily.
If the rest of Zane Grey’s novels are like this, count me out. If there’s one in the pack that could redeem him, let me know. I’ll take the chance, I guess.
January 8, 2014
One of my favorite Zane Grey Westerns!
February 15, 2023
Probably my favorite Zane Gray. Just a fun, solidly western read.
May 6, 2017
This is considered a classic western by Zane Grey...when men were men, women were on a pedestal, and Hispanics were Greasers! I've read a few other Grey westerns and remember enjoying them for the most part (he was a favorite author of my father's who read them back close to when they were written) but I just couldn't get into this. The story was about a young woman, Madeline, who decides to travel west where her brother is working as a cowhand on a ranch in New Mexico. As soon as she gets there, one of the other cowboys tries to forcibly marry her on a bet! Of course Majesty (Madeline's pet name) thinks this was romantic rather than sexual assault and later in the novel her maid actually does appear to be forced into a marriage. But of course the maid decides this is love and Majesty liked the idea. Well, Majesty being a woman of means, bails out her brother and his boss and establishes a ranch called Majesty's Rancho where all seems wonderful. The book is full of descriptions of the country and of life on the ranch including cattle roundups and branding but to me the story just seemed to go nowhere and the characters were very cliched and could have been out of a Hopalong Cassidy or Roy Rogers movie. In fact, Light of Western Stars was made into several different movie versions from the silent days up through 1940 or so. I stopped reading this about halfway through, deciding to move on to something a little more up to date and realistic.
August 7, 2020
A freebie from Amazon (there are a few Zane Grey books that are in the Public Domain which are made available at no cost through Amazon; I’ve also gotten several H.G. Wells books this way). This one (published in 1915) tells of Madeline Hammond, a rebellious young woman, debutante from back East (her nickname is “Majesty”). Madeline has tired of the entitled lifestyle and the possibility of having to marry one of her boorish contemporaries. After seeing a stage play in which the backdrop is a night sky filled with stars, which she finds very inspiring. Madeline feels that she needs to be out West, where she can see them for herself. Her previously ne’er-do-well brother Alfred is a ranch owner in El Cajon, New Mexico, so she decides to join him. Well, El Cajon is a pretty boisterous town and Alfred is nowhere to be seen when she arrives. A rough-around-the-edges (understatement) drunken cowboy named Gene Stewart sees her and immediately fetches the local Padre, declaring that he is going to “marry the first woman who comes into town.” He also appears to have some sort of relationship with a local Mexican woman named Bonita. Nonetheless, after he finds out she’s Alfred’s sister, he becomes more solicitous and protective, escorting her to a boarding house run by Florence Kingsley, a woman of good reputation whom Alfred wants to marry (uh-oh, the local corrupt sheriff, Pat Hawe, also has his eyes on her, watch out!). So Madeline is both attracted to and repulsed by Gene.
Over the course of the book Madeline comes to love and embrace the West and purchases ranches owned by Bill Stilwell, a very experienced man and Madeline’s mentor; and Don Carlos, a Mexican with a nefarious agenda. He also appears to be involved in supplying rebels in the Mexican Revolution. And here’s where I have difficulties with this book, namely the pervasive racism in which Mexicans are referred to throughout as “Greasers” and are described to a one as ignorant, violent, cunning, untrustworthy and superstitious (though excellent horsemen). I must admit that this decreased my enjoyment of the book.
Nonetheless, the story of a woman who becomes aware of her own independence (well, in most ways…), strength and drive is an enjoyable tale, with a somewhat of a surprising twist in her relationship with Gene Stewart. And Mr. Grey has a wonderful ability to write about the Western landscape and its effect on the characters (and, believe me, the cowboys, rough as they all are, have many different personalities and relationships to the land, also well described by Mr. Grey.
So, three stars for “Light of the Western Stars.” I found out that there have been three movie adaptations of this book, the first in 1918 (which Wikipedia describes as following the plotline of the book very well) and again in 1925. Both of these films are silent and are among many “lost” films (I’d recommend looking up “Lost Films” on Wikipedia; fascinating if sad history, but I digress). Another version, in 1940, stars Victor Jory as Gene Stewart and Jo Ann Sayers as Madeline; the plotline seems to differ somewhat from that of the book, but it’s available for free on YouTube, so I’ll give it a watch and do a review in the “Comments” section.
Oh yeah, I also found out there’s a sequel, “Majesty’s Rancho,” published in 1938. I’ve had good luck with previous sequels to Mr. Grey’s books, having read “Wanderer of the Wasteland” and its sequel “Stairs of Sand;” and “Riders of the Purple Sage,” followed by “The Desert Crucible.” “Majesty’s Rancho” is cheap from Amazon, so review coming in the vague future.
Over the course of the book Madeline comes to love and embrace the West and purchases ranches owned by Bill Stilwell, a very experienced man and Madeline’s mentor; and Don Carlos, a Mexican with a nefarious agenda. He also appears to be involved in supplying rebels in the Mexican Revolution. And here’s where I have difficulties with this book, namely the pervasive racism in which Mexicans are referred to throughout as “Greasers” and are described to a one as ignorant, violent, cunning, untrustworthy and superstitious (though excellent horsemen). I must admit that this decreased my enjoyment of the book.
Nonetheless, the story of a woman who becomes aware of her own independence (well, in most ways…), strength and drive is an enjoyable tale, with a somewhat of a surprising twist in her relationship with Gene Stewart. And Mr. Grey has a wonderful ability to write about the Western landscape and its effect on the characters (and, believe me, the cowboys, rough as they all are, have many different personalities and relationships to the land, also well described by Mr. Grey.
So, three stars for “Light of the Western Stars.” I found out that there have been three movie adaptations of this book, the first in 1918 (which Wikipedia describes as following the plotline of the book very well) and again in 1925. Both of these films are silent and are among many “lost” films (I’d recommend looking up “Lost Films” on Wikipedia; fascinating if sad history, but I digress). Another version, in 1940, stars Victor Jory as Gene Stewart and Jo Ann Sayers as Madeline; the plotline seems to differ somewhat from that of the book, but it’s available for free on YouTube, so I’ll give it a watch and do a review in the “Comments” section.
Oh yeah, I also found out there’s a sequel, “Majesty’s Rancho,” published in 1938. I’ve had good luck with previous sequels to Mr. Grey’s books, having read “Wanderer of the Wasteland” and its sequel “Stairs of Sand;” and “Riders of the Purple Sage,” followed by “The Desert Crucible.” “Majesty’s Rancho” is cheap from Amazon, so review coming in the vague future.
October 7, 2015
I haven’t gotten around to Zane Grey until now, and I thought I’d like him much more. He’s excellent at scenery and the way of the cowboy life, but the characters seem cliché and the plot at times ludicrous. The novel did sort itself out at the end, however. I know Grey is a product of his times, but the racism is annoying; Mexicans are evil and lazy and lumped together as “greasers.” Grey does pretty well by women, since the protagonist “Majesty” is a strong female character. The story is all told in her viewpoint, and for scenes in which she is not present, the events are relayed to her in tedious, stilted dialogue. Multi-character or omniscient viewpoint might have served Grey better. I’m glad I read this, but I don’t think I’ll pick up another.
P.S. Romance writers take note: read Grey and you’re sure to pick up on a thing or two!
P.S. Romance writers take note: read Grey and you’re sure to pick up on a thing or two!
September 27, 2021
I was drawn to this book because I love the wide-open spaces of westerns. I liked the title and had read Zane before. This was a really fun, diverting read. It isn't deep or philosophical and won't make you stop and think too often, but it is a pleasant page-turner for all that. the characters are very interesting- Grey, in particular, shies away from the male-dominated West of some writers, and his heroines are often the best part of his books. This is a nice summer's day novel, and all the better for not wanting to be more.
February 4, 2019
Those stories. . . the ones you've seemingly always known, the ones always there for you - "The Light of Western Stars" is one of those for me. It's not the only one of course, but it is at the heart of the list. After "A Speckled Bird" it was the first really and truly grown-up book I ever read, and the tingling bedazzlement of it has never left.
(full review here!)
(full review here!)
June 10, 2023
Absolutely loved this. I had read a few Zane Grey books before, and always loved how he wrote romance and character interactions. This book is like a condensed version of my favorite elements of his other books. Such a treat.
March 27, 2018
If you like Zane Grey western's, you'll not be disappointed with this book. It's a story of a woman who is searching for some meaning in her life, as the sun sets on the classic cowboy life. Oh, it's a horse riding, cattle herding, fist fighting, desert pounding gun fighting western alright, but the 20th century is creeping in...
A city girl goes to the country and gets culture shock, which is exactly what she was looking for. The rich and popular Madeline had everything a girl could want on the surface: money, prestige, a gaggle of friends and a string of gentlemen pursuers that would put her on a pedestal. But for the girl who had everything, she still wasn't satisfied. What do you want may be the most difficult question you'll ever ask yourself, especially if that answer is in the abstract, and Madeline saw nothing in New York that even smacked of definition.
After arriving in Hell Hole USA, Madeline is accosted by a filthy, drunken cowboy, Mean Gene Stewart. She was revolted, she was frightened, she was appalled, but at the same time, it was a universe away from the phony sociophiles in New York, and that is the spark Madeline was looking for, although she didn't realize it at the time.
Zane Grey is an artist of words, and throughout the book he paints a picture of the west that in and of itself makes the book worth reading. But there is a story behind the hyper descriptive chronicling of every piece of dirt and cactii that came within Madeline's purview. There were more filthy, crude cowboys in her future, and when she got to where she was going she found that Gene was one of them. Of course. But then, when you're in the middle of nowhere (and that's where they were), it's not unusual to run into the same people.
Very quickly Madeline begins to adapt to the environment. She buys a ranch, spruces it up, and in seemingly no time turns the area in some kind of paradise. The 'hoss loves her, the cowboys love her, and not one of those sex-starved mongrels laid a finger on her; it was all just great. Well, not all great, or that would be the end of the story. There was a revolution in Mexico at the time, and they were 10 miles from the border. Trouble abounded. If she thought the cowboys were revolting, she never got a load of the cretins that made their way back and forth across the border. Apparently, they needed a wall even back then, but had there been one, the story wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining.
As for Mean Gene, he appeared to be the ultimate screw up, and would have self destructed nicely on his own if not for Madeline. Still, even with her influence, he was an ongoing project. Rome was not built in a day, and Gene was not reformed with a few kind words.
The story may have been bit predictable, if not a little politically incorrect. Athough Madeline controlled her spread, she slowly but surely started to enjoy the rough manhandlers that surrounded her. She started to like the bad boy antics of the cowboys, and even accepted the bad, bad boys as part of the picture. It was all there, the brooding anti-hero, the classic villain, the kindly old respository of advice, the friend she could confide in, and even a hooker to make her jealous. I said earlier that the cowboys were sex-starved. Maybe not, but after a lifetime of Bonita's at two bits a night, Madeline was something else...
Madeline fell for the western stars, and something else as well. I can understand one, but was mystified by the other. But, there's no accounting for taste, so I just enjoyed the story and the graphic descriptions, along with all the action-which there was plenty of, and took the story in its totality. Sure, you could pick apart the plot, but the story is relatively plausible, and Grey has a pleasing style. Three stars...
A city girl goes to the country and gets culture shock, which is exactly what she was looking for. The rich and popular Madeline had everything a girl could want on the surface: money, prestige, a gaggle of friends and a string of gentlemen pursuers that would put her on a pedestal. But for the girl who had everything, she still wasn't satisfied. What do you want may be the most difficult question you'll ever ask yourself, especially if that answer is in the abstract, and Madeline saw nothing in New York that even smacked of definition.
After arriving in Hell Hole USA, Madeline is accosted by a filthy, drunken cowboy, Mean Gene Stewart. She was revolted, she was frightened, she was appalled, but at the same time, it was a universe away from the phony sociophiles in New York, and that is the spark Madeline was looking for, although she didn't realize it at the time.
Zane Grey is an artist of words, and throughout the book he paints a picture of the west that in and of itself makes the book worth reading. But there is a story behind the hyper descriptive chronicling of every piece of dirt and cactii that came within Madeline's purview. There were more filthy, crude cowboys in her future, and when she got to where she was going she found that Gene was one of them. Of course. But then, when you're in the middle of nowhere (and that's where they were), it's not unusual to run into the same people.
Very quickly Madeline begins to adapt to the environment. She buys a ranch, spruces it up, and in seemingly no time turns the area in some kind of paradise. The 'hoss loves her, the cowboys love her, and not one of those sex-starved mongrels laid a finger on her; it was all just great. Well, not all great, or that would be the end of the story. There was a revolution in Mexico at the time, and they were 10 miles from the border. Trouble abounded. If she thought the cowboys were revolting, she never got a load of the cretins that made their way back and forth across the border. Apparently, they needed a wall even back then, but had there been one, the story wouldn't have been nearly as entertaining.
As for Mean Gene, he appeared to be the ultimate screw up, and would have self destructed nicely on his own if not for Madeline. Still, even with her influence, he was an ongoing project. Rome was not built in a day, and Gene was not reformed with a few kind words.
The story may have been bit predictable, if not a little politically incorrect. Athough Madeline controlled her spread, she slowly but surely started to enjoy the rough manhandlers that surrounded her. She started to like the bad boy antics of the cowboys, and even accepted the bad, bad boys as part of the picture. It was all there, the brooding anti-hero, the classic villain, the kindly old respository of advice, the friend she could confide in, and even a hooker to make her jealous. I said earlier that the cowboys were sex-starved. Maybe not, but after a lifetime of Bonita's at two bits a night, Madeline was something else...
Madeline fell for the western stars, and something else as well. I can understand one, but was mystified by the other. But, there's no accounting for taste, so I just enjoyed the story and the graphic descriptions, along with all the action-which there was plenty of, and took the story in its totality. Sure, you could pick apart the plot, but the story is relatively plausible, and Grey has a pleasing style. Three stars...
March 29, 2021
3.5 rounded up.
Deeply flawed to this modern reader's eye, but still of value.
There is racism in this novel - it was probably perceived by most readers simply as nationalism at the time - and there is some really no longer generally acceptable depiction of romance/marriage here. This is a book that I can't see myself recommending to newcomers to the western genre, because it will likely, especially at first, simply confirm some of their negative pre-conceptions.
There was one passage in particular that reads as so unspeakable today that I laughed out loud in shock at it's brazenness. At the time of publication, I suspect it didn't stand out at all.
However, if you are able to get past the racial epithets and racist attitudes and the sometimes to-our-modern-eyes bizarre depiction of women and their 'ideal' relationships with men - remember that while the main character in this book is a woman, this book is written by a man, and women didn't even have the right to vote in the U.S. federal elections at the time this book was written - I think it's possible to enjoy this book. (And there is value to being able to read these now-roundly-derided expressions in a popular book of it's time. I haven't read many popular books from the early 20th century yet, and I find it interesting just from a historic values perspective.)
Anyway, this book is, after you get over your shock at some of the content, is actually charming in places, and exciting, and there were a few times I laughed or smiled with the text. There are also parts that drag a little, and the writing style is of course, not of our time, so there are digressions that don't really go anywhere and which would probably be cut by a drive-the-plot-forward-always modern editor - and its safe to say that the language can be florid. The same florid language that sometimes had me as a reader thinking "Come onnnn get to the poynt" also gives us some really lovely descriptions. A few places, I think the plotting was not as tight as it could of been in that there were a few 'consistency errors.'
This is only the second Zane Grey I've read, the first being Riders of the Purple Sage. It seems, so far, as though it's a pattern to have a slow start and a speedy, exciting finale.
I will be posting a longer review on my blog.
Deeply flawed to this modern reader's eye, but still of value.
There is racism in this novel - it was probably perceived by most readers simply as nationalism at the time - and there is some really no longer generally acceptable depiction of romance/marriage here. This is a book that I can't see myself recommending to newcomers to the western genre, because it will likely, especially at first, simply confirm some of their negative pre-conceptions.
There was one passage in particular that reads as so unspeakable today that I laughed out loud in shock at it's brazenness. At the time of publication, I suspect it didn't stand out at all.
However, if you are able to get past the racial epithets and racist attitudes and the sometimes to-our-modern-eyes bizarre depiction of women and their 'ideal' relationships with men - remember that while the main character in this book is a woman, this book is written by a man, and women didn't even have the right to vote in the U.S. federal elections at the time this book was written - I think it's possible to enjoy this book. (And there is value to being able to read these now-roundly-derided expressions in a popular book of it's time. I haven't read many popular books from the early 20th century yet, and I find it interesting just from a historic values perspective.)
Anyway, this book is, after you get over your shock at some of the content, is actually charming in places, and exciting, and there were a few times I laughed or smiled with the text. There are also parts that drag a little, and the writing style is of course, not of our time, so there are digressions that don't really go anywhere and which would probably be cut by a drive-the-plot-forward-always modern editor - and its safe to say that the language can be florid. The same florid language that sometimes had me as a reader thinking "Come onnnn get to the poynt" also gives us some really lovely descriptions. A few places, I think the plotting was not as tight as it could of been in that there were a few 'consistency errors.'
This is only the second Zane Grey I've read, the first being Riders of the Purple Sage. It seems, so far, as though it's a pattern to have a slow start and a speedy, exciting finale.
I will be posting a longer review on my blog.
January 6, 2018
This was a book in which a wealthy young woman leaves New York for a town near the Mexican border. I felt the woman who gradually acclimatises herself to living in rural America was a trifle smug through out. She meets a cowboy and the author shines in this instance by developing his character and showing how the girl's faith in him makes him abandon the drink and wild ways and reform himself.
The cowboys are characterised very well as are the wealthy New Yorkers who come for a bit of fun amongst the uncivilised wild west men. A lot of research was clearly done and the language is very authentic as are the descriptions of the lifestyle of the cowboys and the Greasers and the war-mongering along the border.
Sadly the style was rather prolonged and dreary. At least three hundred pages could have been axed. The relationship between the heroine and the cowboy seemed stilted. It is not a book I would recommend others to read.
The cowboys are characterised very well as are the wealthy New Yorkers who come for a bit of fun amongst the uncivilised wild west men. A lot of research was clearly done and the language is very authentic as are the descriptions of the lifestyle of the cowboys and the Greasers and the war-mongering along the border.
Sadly the style was rather prolonged and dreary. At least three hundred pages could have been axed. The relationship between the heroine and the cowboy seemed stilted. It is not a book I would recommend others to read.
June 5, 2022
I read this long time ago translated and it seems to me that it was also abridged because I liked it then. I found the story really dragging, most of the time boring, especially the totally unrelated descriptions of “adventures of old cowboys”. The racism is annoying to a present day reader but that was what people’s attitudes were in 1914 when the book was published (…. well, some still think the same…).
Compared to many of Grey’s books that I read in my youth, this has poor plot, too many sidetracks (Bonita, visitors from East, Monty’s stories) and the unbelivably fast renovation of the ranch. Even the description of scenery and nature that still hold well in many of his books seem to not work in this one.
Compared to many of Grey’s books that I read in my youth, this has poor plot, too many sidetracks (Bonita, visitors from East, Monty’s stories) and the unbelivably fast renovation of the ranch. Even the description of scenery and nature that still hold well in many of his books seem to not work in this one.
May 30, 2017
Zane Grey wrote about the West in ways that make you feel part of the story and involves the reader in his characters. The Light of Western Stars is like that - I was interested in the story and wanted to know what made them laugh in spite of the kill or be killed tensions of the Cowboys. Majesty's Eastern friends thought their visit was a "romp" and their adventures were staged for their benefit, not realizing the danger they were in at times and how the Cowboys were not only taking risks for the city folk's amusement but also keeping deadly danger away from them. The ending is so simple that I wanted more, but don't read it or you will ruin much of the book.
July 2, 2018
Read for Goodreads 2018 Summer Reading Challenge, Expert Level.
High Noon: Read a classic or contemporary Western
I'm not a big Western fan, but I decided to go ahead and give this one a try. The Light of Western Stars just happens to be part of the lyrics of a lullaby my mother used to sing to me, so I had automatic nostalgia going on. And I did like the book. Granted, the thing is smashed full of negative stereotypes of Mexicans, but since it's faithful to the opinions of the time, I'll call it historical fiction and let it go. Ditto on the opinions toward women. At least the main character had some independent thought. I'll give her that. The plot was relatively predictable, but there were some twists I didn't anticipate, which was a bonus. So, no, I'm not likely to suddenly start reading piles of Westerns, but I don't regret the time I spent with this one.
High Noon: Read a classic or contemporary Western
I'm not a big Western fan, but I decided to go ahead and give this one a try. The Light of Western Stars just happens to be part of the lyrics of a lullaby my mother used to sing to me, so I had automatic nostalgia going on. And I did like the book. Granted, the thing is smashed full of negative stereotypes of Mexicans, but since it's faithful to the opinions of the time, I'll call it historical fiction and let it go. Ditto on the opinions toward women. At least the main character had some independent thought. I'll give her that. The plot was relatively predictable, but there were some twists I didn't anticipate, which was a bonus. So, no, I'm not likely to suddenly start reading piles of Westerns, but I don't regret the time I spent with this one.
March 1, 2024
I definitely really enjoyed this book, but I will note that I only read it because my husband wanted me to.
I felt like Grandma Joyce wrote this novel because everything was said so simply and yet sophisticated. You could also tell the novel was written by a man because Majesty's feelings were way too simple :).
I did really like the story, and it only grew my pride for the west and being an Arizona native. I do wish, however, that Gene and Majesty were not stupid, and in the interest of not spoiling things, I will leave it at that.
Great story. Great characters that you really did fall in love with. The writing could have been better :).
I felt like Grandma Joyce wrote this novel because everything was said so simply and yet sophisticated. You could also tell the novel was written by a man because Majesty's feelings were way too simple :).
I did really like the story, and it only grew my pride for the west and being an Arizona native. I do wish, however, that Gene and Majesty were not stupid, and in the interest of not spoiling things, I will leave it at that.
Great story. Great characters that you really did fall in love with. The writing could have been better :).
July 17, 2018
A self-declared Romance; both as to the love story between the two protagonists and the regular literary flourishes relied upon to describe southwestern New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona. While usually miring his readers in melodrama, Gray is a little more subtle in this book, and weaves a thoughtful narrative around a likely plot. The effect is a memorable Western story with intelligent drama. As with all great Westerns, the Star role is the landscape itself, which Gray is expert in bringing to life.
February 12, 2022
Oh what disappointment. Perhaps I should have not read it straight after the Shadow on the Trail, which I liked so much. This one was... this one was different. After only reading 3 or 4 books from this author, I can't say I know him well, but the feeling by reading this book was strange. Did Grey use a ghost writer? I doubt. Was this book perhaps one of the latest and he run out of ideas?
The story was told to please an 'Easterner', whoever they were, with far too many speeches, weak characters and a wholly unbelievable story. Need to find something better from him...
The story was told to please an 'Easterner', whoever they were, with far too many speeches, weak characters and a wholly unbelievable story. Need to find something better from him...
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April 19, 2024I discovered this book many years ago and have reread it several times since. If you are interested in the American West around the turn of the twentieth century, this is a great book, especially since it is told from the point of view of an Eastern socialite. She is pleasantly surprised to find what a great place it is to live, buys a ranch, and intends to stay there. She is especially interested in the lives of the cowboys she employs to run the ranch, and is constantly amazed by their gentlemanly behavior. Not what she expected at all!
July 31, 2017
First published in 1914, The Light of the Western Stars is a routine Western romance of the sort that Zane Grey specialised in, set against a background of Texas ranching and border clashes with revolutionary Mexico. Meandering in places, especially in the mid-section when a group of 'dude' easterners are invited along to stay at the ranch as guests. Enjoyable enough, just so long as any resemblance to reality is ignored. Good for Zane Grey purists.
August 28, 2020
This was a book club selection. I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise. This was written in 1914 and it was a little difficult to get around the stereotypes of that time. With some eye rolling on my part I did finish it and really enjoyed the landscape and story. There were editorial gaps in his stories timeline and possibilities of the characters abilities to get things done in the time allotted.
August 31, 2020
I could have given this book both a single star and a five. I really dislike the zenophobia (although I appreciate that Zane Grey was writing over a century ago) and the plot is cliche-ridden, and I absolutely can't stand the heroine and most of her friends from back east, but... the hero! Gene Stewart is magnificent. He's so intensely brilliant, or brilliantly intense... I think he's wonderful. So, in his honour, I'll opt for all five stars.
May 31, 2020
I must admit that this was not one of my favorite Zane Grey books. I felt that it dragged. I also felt that its characters were somehow not as fleshed out as others in his other novels. Clearly, I felt that the conflict itself, between the protagonists, was not fleshed out as well. The ending, howevef, was quite good, and although I would have liked this to be fleshed out, it was a great ending
May 2, 2021
From another era before my own. Bought in a whim in a used bookstore based on the remembrance of finding an old Zane Grey novel in a cupboard and strangely enjoying it. This one was fun, too. I realized that while he was considered a writer of westerns and was clearly knowledgeable enough, these books are romances. I have to think he must have had a big following among the women of his time.
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