The Bravados

by Frank O'Rourke

Vintage paperback

Genres: Westerns

159 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 1982

About the author

Frank O'Rourke was an American writer known for western and mystery novels and sports fiction. O'Rourke wrote more than 60 novels and numerous magazine articles.

Born in Denver, Colorado he attended Kemper Military School. A talented amateur baseball player, he considered trying out for a professional team, but was called up for service in World War II. At the end of the war he decided to become a writer.

Several of O'Rourke's novels were filmed, The Bravados (1958) was the first, and his novel A Mule for the Marquesa was made into a popular movie called The Professionals (1966).

Later in life, O'Rourke turned to writing children's literature. He committed suicide on April 27, 1989.

In addition to his actual name O'Rourke also wrote under the following names: Kevin Connor; Frank O'Malley and Patrick O'Malley

Reviews

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the more interesting movies I’ve come across over the years is the 1958 Western “The Bravados “, starring Gregory Peck. Based on this novel by Frank O’Rourke with a screenplay by Philip Yordan, the movie follows Peck as he hunts down and seeks revenge against the four men who killed his wife. As the story unfolds and leads to an unexpected climax, the movie raises some thought provoking questions about vengeance, justice, and responsibility. It’s not a great movie, but it does go beyond the thematic scope of most Westerns of the period.

Mr O’Rourke’s novel has none of these things. Apparently, Mr. Yordan used the book as a starting point, made wholesale changes in plot and character ( there is no wife, Dead or otherwise, in the book), and generally crafted a whole new story. Mr. O ‘Rourke’s story is a lean, laconic chase narrative, told from multiple points of view. Criminals break out of Jail, take hostages , and head for the border; they are followed by a posse, including a man who is involved with the female hostage.(This is the basis of the Peck character in the movie.) The rest of the Book is a narrative of how the chase plays out. It’s done well enough, I suppose, and it’s diverting while it’s being read, but when it’s over it’s instantly forgettable. It’s a shame really; I had hoped there’d be more to it. For once, the movie was better than the book.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well told basic western has a prison break and a posse looking for justice for a murdered guard and a kidnapped woman. Though the characters are well formed and I find no fault with the story, I find this book wanting for more. I think it's the lack of actual fights and the inevitable conclusion. Don't think I'm giving anything away that there were just too many hunters and not enough hunted.

Overall though was well worth the read at only a 150 or so pages, it's a fast read and does not drag. Will try others from O'Rourke I'm sure.

[Michael Wiggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frank O'Rourke's "The Bravados" is a fairly conventional tale of the Old West, complete with standard good guys and bad guys and a love interest thrown in for good measure. The good guy of this story, Jim Douglas, is in jail at the beginning of this story, having been set up for indebtedness charges by the greedy dad of his initial would-be flame. A jail-break by the actual bad guys in the tale changes Douglas' fortunes and gives him a chance to show his talents as a tracker and marksman. Even better, the ensuing chase results in Douglas meeting an actual decent woman.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book and better movie starring Gregory Peck. A stranger comes by and murders a ranchers wife. He is told it was four passing bandits. He chases and kills all only to find his neighbor did it.....DEH