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The Long Night of Winchell Dear
The steady tick of an aged Regulator wall clock and the squeak of an overhead fan turning slowly are soft but insistent, counting down the night, while the high desert thrums like a half-remembered Victrola song. The sounds are below the consciousness of Winchell Dear, an old-time gambler, a Texas poker player on the southern circuit, as he waits for something…something vague that his life of chance tells him is evil and moving his way. He has gassed and oiled the Cadillac and adjusts the pistol in his right boot, then plays one of the six fiddle tunes he knows, thinking back to his good days with Lucinda Miller. Alone, he waits in his remote ranch house, while, just outside, an acquaintance named Luther hunts, unblinking and of nervous temperament and moving through yellow primrose bending in the night wind.
In Diablo Canyon, a distant part of Winchell Dear’s ranch, Peter Long Grass squats by a campfire, contemplating the profile he saw moving along the ridge of Guapa Mountain an hour ago, thinking about the gambler’s housekeeper, Sonia Dominguez, about the small, quiet world he has fashioned far from civilization and what undefined presence might now be threatening it. He gathers his tools and begins to run across the desert floor.
And boring toward all of them is a cream-colored Lincoln Continental with two men aboard. Traveling from Los Angeles on a mission they’ve been given, they are professionals, cool and implacable at the start, but becoming steadily more confused by the strange landscape they are passing through. Forty minutes from their task, they ready themselves, while a kitchen wall clock ticks its way through the long night of Winchell Dear.
The Long Night of Winchell Dear finds master storyteller Robert James Waller at his best as he takes us through the wind and dust of the high desert mountains, into the shadowy world of high-stakes poker fought in the back rooms of Amarillo and Little Rock, and headlong toward the book’s stunning finale of chaotic terror, where an unexpected hero emerges.
In Diablo Canyon, a distant part of Winchell Dear’s ranch, Peter Long Grass squats by a campfire, contemplating the profile he saw moving along the ridge of Guapa Mountain an hour ago, thinking about the gambler’s housekeeper, Sonia Dominguez, about the small, quiet world he has fashioned far from civilization and what undefined presence might now be threatening it. He gathers his tools and begins to run across the desert floor.
And boring toward all of them is a cream-colored Lincoln Continental with two men aboard. Traveling from Los Angeles on a mission they’ve been given, they are professionals, cool and implacable at the start, but becoming steadily more confused by the strange landscape they are passing through. Forty minutes from their task, they ready themselves, while a kitchen wall clock ticks its way through the long night of Winchell Dear.
The Long Night of Winchell Dear finds master storyteller Robert James Waller at his best as he takes us through the wind and dust of the high desert mountains, into the shadowy world of high-stakes poker fought in the back rooms of Amarillo and Little Rock, and headlong toward the book’s stunning finale of chaotic terror, where an unexpected hero emerges.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
20 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Robert James Waller
37 books432 followersRobert James Waller was an American author also known for his work as a photographer and musician. Several of his books have been on the New York Times bestseller list including 1992's The Bridges of Madison County, which was the top best-seller in 1993. Both that novel and his 1995 novel, Puerto Vallarta Squeeze, have been made into motion pictures.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 28, 2022
4 Stars for The Long Night of Winchell Dear (audiobook) by Robert James Waller read by Richard McGonagle.
This is a dark and gritty west Texas story where several lives are on a collision course one fateful night.
This is a dark and gritty west Texas story where several lives are on a collision course one fateful night.
June 15, 2014
Every Robert James Waller novel leaves me with the satisfaction of reading a well written, emotionally moving story. The one is no exception. Perhaps having lived for awhile in west Texas makes this book more poignant for me. Sure, the plot is simple and the pretty much predicable, but the characters am spot on. I would recommend it to anyone.
March 17, 2009
I suppose the world is divided into people who love Robert James Waller and those who don't. I'm of the latter persuasion. I thought this book was weakly plotted, a lot of digressions that didn't contribute to the story, and implausible plot twists.
November 11, 2011
If you are a fan of Robert Waller’s Bridges of Madison County, you may be surprised at his latest novel.
The setting is an isolated spot in the hard scrabble country of west Texas near the Mexican border. Winchell Dear, a professional gambler with a good many years under his belt, just happens to be at home on The Two Pair, a ranch bought with winnings years before, on a cold, windy night when a gambler’s hunch keeps him up. That hunch pays off before the book ends when several very interesting and colorful characters come together in this riviting read.
Personally, I love the cover but it may be a bit misleading. The Long Night of Winchell Dear is not the typical western you might expect. Actually, it is not a ‘western’ at all but a fast-paced story about people who live where life is hard and scratching out a living may involve things not quite legal—and how such things affect an old gambler’s life one particular evening.
I, for one, couldn’t put this book down. Waller’s characters are masterfully drawn. And if you’ve played a bit of poker, or if you haven’t, there is a lot of unexpected information on the art of gambling to be found in this novel.
The setting is an isolated spot in the hard scrabble country of west Texas near the Mexican border. Winchell Dear, a professional gambler with a good many years under his belt, just happens to be at home on The Two Pair, a ranch bought with winnings years before, on a cold, windy night when a gambler’s hunch keeps him up. That hunch pays off before the book ends when several very interesting and colorful characters come together in this riviting read.
Personally, I love the cover but it may be a bit misleading. The Long Night of Winchell Dear is not the typical western you might expect. Actually, it is not a ‘western’ at all but a fast-paced story about people who live where life is hard and scratching out a living may involve things not quite legal—and how such things affect an old gambler’s life one particular evening.
I, for one, couldn’t put this book down. Waller’s characters are masterfully drawn. And if you’ve played a bit of poker, or if you haven’t, there is a lot of unexpected information on the art of gambling to be found in this novel.
February 15, 2008
The steady tick of an aged Regulator wall clock and the squeak of an overhead fan turning slowly are soft but insistent, counting down the night, while the high desert thrums like a half-remembered Victrola song. The sounds are below the consciousness of Winchell Dear, an old-time gambler, a Texas poker player on the southern circuit, as he waits for something ... something vague that his life of chance tells him is evil and moving his way. He has gassed and oiled the Cadillac and adjusts the pistol in his right boot, then plays one of the six fiddle tunes he knows, thinking back to his good days with Lucinda Miller. Alone, he waits in his remote ranch house, while, just outside, an acquaintance name Luther hunts, unblinking and of nervous temperament and moving through yellow primrose bending in the night wind." "In Diablo Canyon, a distant part of Winchell Dear's ranch, Peter Long Grass squats by a campfire, contemplating the profile he saw moving along the ridge of Guapa Mountain an hour ago, thinking about the gambler's housekeeper, Sonia Dominguez, about the small, quiet world he has fashioned far from civilization and what undefined presence might now be threatening it. He gathers his tools and begins to run across the desert floor." "And boring toward all of them is a cream-colored Lincoln Continental with two men aboard. Traveling from Los Angeles on a mission they've been given, they are professionals, cool and implacable at the start, but becoming steadily more confused by the strange landscape they are passing through. Forty minutes from their task, they ready themselves, while a kitchen wall clock ticks its way through the long night of Winchell Dear."
August 7, 2020
I chose to read this book because the PopSugar Reading Challenge I'm working on includes a western. I've never read a western before and I'm always willing to try something new. You never know. This novel is 160 pages and I should have read this in a day or two, but every single time I tried to read it, I fell asleep. No joke, I seriously fell asleep four or five times reading this.
I didn't find any fault with the writing style, but this was one of the most pointless books I've ever read. Not a single character had any sort of backstory or personality, they were all one dimensional and we know almost nothing about them. It was a book full of side characters. We've just stepped into a single day in time knowing nothing about these people, and are stumbling through trying to figure out what's going on and who is who and you never really figure it out. Weird and confusing plot. I'm not even really sure what I read at this point, but it was not good.
Would I recommend?
No. I'm sure there's a better western out there if that's what you're into.
I didn't find any fault with the writing style, but this was one of the most pointless books I've ever read. Not a single character had any sort of backstory or personality, they were all one dimensional and we know almost nothing about them. It was a book full of side characters. We've just stepped into a single day in time knowing nothing about these people, and are stumbling through trying to figure out what's going on and who is who and you never really figure it out. Weird and confusing plot. I'm not even really sure what I read at this point, but it was not good.
Would I recommend?
No. I'm sure there's a better western out there if that's what you're into.
January 31, 2015
A wonderful novella that weaves together the stories of five different people, bringing them together one fateful night in the Texas desert. A gambler, two drug runners, an Indian, some hired thugs and a snake are caught up in this story. Although the plot is simple, Waller"s presentation of their stories is beautifully laid out with just enough detail that the story comes to life without being overly dramatic or belabored. It is as simple and crisp as any August night in the desert and a good reminder of what lies behind any story in fiction or in real life.
April 8, 2015
I have enjoyed Robert James Waller and this book is a little different from the others. It is almost a mystery / thriller as Winchell Dear and others are involved in a wait of a long night. The characters as usual are very interesting.
Read
May 24, 2014beautifully written ... delicate and well told .. unforgettable characters
January 17, 2021
It just goes to show you (me), a book with goodreads rated at 3.5 doesn't necessarily match up with what I will give it: 4.5. I really enjoyed The Long Night of Winchell Dear!
Too boot, I've read two of Robert James Waller's other books, his most famous being The Bridges of Madison back in 2012 (9 years ago). I didn't like it and gave it a 1. His other book, I've read last year in 2020, A Thousand Country Roads. Once again I didn't like it and gave it a 1. Which, the surprise is on me, proving just because I didn't like two books from an author doesn't mean I shouldn't try again.
The Long Night of Winchell Dear is a short novel of just 158 pages. He seems to enjoy writing short novels as the other two are also short. You'd think having six people (plus one reptile) as characters in those many short pages would be confusing or just too many. Nope, not the case. It was written really well, and there was easily no confusion.
This story takes place in Texas. We get some history of Winchell Dear's childhood and how and why he becomes a gambler. The other characters are an Indian, two drug runners, two woman, and a 7-foot rattle snake. When the rattle snake was first introduced as a character, I thought what fun! I did wonder how these characters would come together and you'll find out in the end, which was really fun (well fun for the reader, not for the characters). You'll also find out the reason for the name of the book.
Too boot, I've read two of Robert James Waller's other books, his most famous being The Bridges of Madison back in 2012 (9 years ago). I didn't like it and gave it a 1. His other book, I've read last year in 2020, A Thousand Country Roads. Once again I didn't like it and gave it a 1. Which, the surprise is on me, proving just because I didn't like two books from an author doesn't mean I shouldn't try again.
The Long Night of Winchell Dear is a short novel of just 158 pages. He seems to enjoy writing short novels as the other two are also short. You'd think having six people (plus one reptile) as characters in those many short pages would be confusing or just too many. Nope, not the case. It was written really well, and there was easily no confusion.
This story takes place in Texas. We get some history of Winchell Dear's childhood and how and why he becomes a gambler. The other characters are an Indian, two drug runners, two woman, and a 7-foot rattle snake. When the rattle snake was first introduced as a character, I thought what fun! I did wonder how these characters would come together and you'll find out in the end, which was really fun (well fun for the reader, not for the characters). You'll also find out the reason for the name of the book.
April 12, 2021
Winchell Dear is an old time poker player, living alone in his ranch house on the high desert; his neighbours are an disillusioned American Indian, a drug-running Mexican woman who cleans for him, and a hungry, nervous rattlesnake. Into this setting come two out of town strangers on a dark mission. This is a short book of 154 pages and it beats around the bushes somewhat, but Waller's prose is as languid and beautiful as ever, and the story wraps up quickly and neatly into a satisfying conclusion. I'd have liked this modern day western to be longer and fuller, with more about the fascinating characters, but it was most enjoyable nonetheless.
October 19, 2024
Rating
4 / 5 stars Must Read
Overall
The story does a good job of combining different stories that finally collide together early one morning. While giving the feel of an old west story.
Review
The majority of the story is the telling of Winchell Dear life. Starting with his child to life as a roaming gambler and finally to his current times at the Two Pair ranch. The other stories revolve around the people who also live on the property and one story of the impending doom that his headed towards the ranch. The tone of southwest and everyone hustling to get ahead really adds to the story. Even though the story is short it still provides a good story with a strong ending.
4 / 5 stars Must Read
Overall
The story does a good job of combining different stories that finally collide together early one morning. While giving the feel of an old west story.
Review
The majority of the story is the telling of Winchell Dear life. Starting with his child to life as a roaming gambler and finally to his current times at the Two Pair ranch. The other stories revolve around the people who also live on the property and one story of the impending doom that his headed towards the ranch. The tone of southwest and everyone hustling to get ahead really adds to the story. Even though the story is short it still provides a good story with a strong ending.
February 23, 2018
This was an enjoyable short 'read.' As an audiobook it went very quickly and I anxiously awaited the inevitable end of the story. Right from the beginning you know that all the characters are going to come crashing together at the end somehow, but you want to enjoy their stories along the way.
It was expertly read by Richard McGonagle and I could practically feel the Texas dust in my eyes while he read the story.
It was expertly read by Richard McGonagle and I could practically feel the Texas dust in my eyes while he read the story.
September 5, 2019
When in Texas... if you’re familiar with west Texas you might appreciate this book. I have a sneaky suspicion that Clear Springs is Alpine. This book has some pretty stereotypical characters and portrayals which definitely reflect the mentality of the people living in the area and I wasn’t necessarily the biggest fan of + a healthy dose of poker-related stuff. Came together well, interesting writing style, and for me was worth reading while visiting the area.
March 6, 2020
Sono un gran rompicoglioni.
Non amo i libri perfetti. Qui c'è una storia giallo-western senza un granello di polvere fuori posto. Certo che la polvere c'è: ma è funzionale alla storia, come ogni altro singolo particolare. Tutto al posto giusto, tutto dove deve essere. Ma che palle! Io i libri a orologeria svizzera non li sopporto...
Non amo i libri perfetti. Qui c'è una storia giallo-western senza un granello di polvere fuori posto. Certo che la polvere c'è: ma è funzionale alla storia, come ogni altro singolo particolare. Tutto al posto giusto, tutto dove deve essere. Ma che palle! Io i libri a orologeria svizzera non li sopporto...
November 30, 2023
This novel is truly a beautiful piece of writing. Crafted with attention to detail, weaving all pieces and stories together seamlessly. An underlying tension lasts until the last possible moment, but never feels overdone. And then, in the blink of an eye, everything is wrapped up neat as could be. No loose ends, no unanswered questions. Extremely satisfying.
August 26, 2018
Audiobook performed by Richard McGonagle. Not his best work. The old man, the old Indian and “perhaps” the snake “got a feeling” there was going to be trouble. It arrived in the form of two LA bad guys who screw up at every turn
September 18, 2019
Evocative and captivating. Do you love the high dessert and can feel the wind brushing over the range? Do you believe in the romance of the high stakes gambler? You will love this typically poetic suspense by Waller.
October 26, 2017
Gorgeously written, intriguing and intricately drawn characters. Short on plot. But very visual and oddly enough for something short on plot, I think it would make a great movie.
July 11, 2019
Not as clever as 'Bridges'.
October 28, 2019
That was incredibly entertaining and not at all how I expected it to end.
June 22, 2020
Well written. Enjoyed his story.
January 12, 2021
Enjoyable 🤠🐍
May 7, 2024
Not a bad story, but the story digressed a lot. I liked that it was short though
November 23, 2008
I have read this book before and enjoyed listening to it. Sadly, the last CD messed up and I didn't get to hear the ending. I was so looking forward to all the killing going on live, like a late night radio show. The narrator had that kind of gravely voice.
This book doesn't have the standard romance that Waller has in Bridges and Slow Waltz (which I love more than Bridges of Madison Co.). But it is still great listening. I may try to get another copy for my trip this week.
This book doesn't have the standard romance that Waller has in Bridges and Slow Waltz (which I love more than Bridges of Madison Co.). But it is still great listening. I may try to get another copy for my trip this week.
July 24, 2013
I am a fan of the novella, it is like looking through a keyhole into another world. There isn't time to develop multiple story arcs, peer too deeply into the characters, or fill pages with fluff. Waller paints an interesting portrait of the lives and character of people who retreat to a desolate border town in Texas for solitude, the type that look for a certain type of person to assuage loneliness.
March 4, 2016
Robert James Waller, author of "Bridges of Madison County", brings us a tale of the intersecting lives of three loners in the American Southwest. If you liked Cormac McCarthy's "No Country for Old Men", you'll like this even better, since the ending is decidedly more upbeat. It's a short novel, good for a lazy summer afternoon's entertainment or keeping by the toilet to read in 3 minute intervals.
September 30, 2008
Robert James Waller really knows how to do romance. Aww, screw that-he's just a good storyteller period!
This one is a funny tale of the new west meeting the old west. The protaganist is a retired professional gambler who is always ready to go with the flow. So good luck with trying to call his bluff!
This one is a funny tale of the new west meeting the old west. The protaganist is a retired professional gambler who is always ready to go with the flow. So good luck with trying to call his bluff!
June 17, 2009
I really enjoyed the story and the characters,but what kind of ending was that. BOOOO. So disappointing.
Could have been so much better.
Kind of lame how everyone was linked together. Way too forced.
I would recommend this, because it was quick and easy, too bad the whole premise of the story was stupid.
Could have been so much better.
Kind of lame how everyone was linked together. Way too forced.
I would recommend this, because it was quick and easy, too bad the whole premise of the story was stupid.
March 20, 2012
I don't even know how to critique a book of this caliber any longer. I'm continuing just to see what else is going to happen, but I'm not really interested in the overall story so much as the meeting of the various characters. It's only 3 a.m., and so far a cast of characters has yet to meet in their massive showdown. Yet they slowly continue to move inexorably closer to their inevitable clash.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews