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Riders of the Purple Sage #1-2
Riders Of The Purple Sage + The Rainbow Trail
Riders of the Purple Sage is a Western novel by Zane Grey, first published by Harper & Brothers in 1912. Considered by many critics to have played a significant role in shaping the formula of the popular Western genre, the novel has been called "the most popular western novel of all time."
The Rainbow Trail, also known as The Desert Crucible, is Zane Grey's sequel to Riders of the Purple Sage.
The Rainbow Trail, also known as The Desert Crucible, is Zane Grey's sequel to Riders of the Purple Sage.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2009
61 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Zane Grey
2,096 books591 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 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 4, 2016
classic Zane grey
Read both these books 30 years ago. Reading them again was even more enjoyable than the first time. For anyone who is a Zane Grey fan, these are a must read.
Read both these books 30 years ago. Reading them again was even more enjoyable than the first time. For anyone who is a Zane Grey fan, these are a must read.
December 16, 2017
This volume contains two of Zane Grey's novels: Riders of the Purple Sage & The Rainbow Trail (even though Goodreads counts it as 1 book!
I'd never read any of Zane Grey. Frankly, I found Riders of the Purple Sage rather stilted & boring, aside from Grey's extraordinary, almost breathtaking, & detailed descriptions of the magnificent terrain of the Old West plus some interesting psychological profiles of the characters. In fact, I'd pretty much decided to skip reading The Rainbow Trail...until I read a comment in the short Foreward to The Rainbow Trail, written by Grey in June 1915: "While this romance is an independent story, yet readers of The Riders of the Purple Sage will find in it an answer to a question often asked." I sensed right away that the "question" had to be, "What happened to little Fay?"...and sure enough, that's what the second book is all about. My curiosity couldn't be restrained!...thankfully!
As I see it, Grey exhibits pretty deep prejudice towards the early Mormons in "Riders", because of their aloofness, secrecy & the hypocrisy of some Mormon leaders. It softens a bit in "Rainbow Trail" with the character of Joe Lake. I enjoyed the latter book much more than the first. The struggles of John Shefford & how he resolved them are full of human wisdom & are even a bit inspiring. Grey captures, I think, the essence of the Old West cowboy which the movies attempted to convey. I'm of the age when I wistfully remember going to the Federation Theater in Dayton, OH most Saturday mornings to see my super-heroes & their spirited steeds: Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Bob Steele, Buster Crabbe, Hoot Gibson, and, of course, Gene Autry & Gabby Hayes, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. It was largely fantasy, I now realize, hiding a host of social problems & ills & injustices. Nevertheless, Grey's book brought back little memory of the true treasures of the Old West.
I'd never read any of Zane Grey. Frankly, I found Riders of the Purple Sage rather stilted & boring, aside from Grey's extraordinary, almost breathtaking, & detailed descriptions of the magnificent terrain of the Old West plus some interesting psychological profiles of the characters. In fact, I'd pretty much decided to skip reading The Rainbow Trail...until I read a comment in the short Foreward to The Rainbow Trail, written by Grey in June 1915: "While this romance is an independent story, yet readers of The Riders of the Purple Sage will find in it an answer to a question often asked." I sensed right away that the "question" had to be, "What happened to little Fay?"...and sure enough, that's what the second book is all about. My curiosity couldn't be restrained!...thankfully!
As I see it, Grey exhibits pretty deep prejudice towards the early Mormons in "Riders", because of their aloofness, secrecy & the hypocrisy of some Mormon leaders. It softens a bit in "Rainbow Trail" with the character of Joe Lake. I enjoyed the latter book much more than the first. The struggles of John Shefford & how he resolved them are full of human wisdom & are even a bit inspiring. Grey captures, I think, the essence of the Old West cowboy which the movies attempted to convey. I'm of the age when I wistfully remember going to the Federation Theater in Dayton, OH most Saturday mornings to see my super-heroes & their spirited steeds: Tom Mix, Hopalong Cassidy, Bob Steele, Buster Crabbe, Hoot Gibson, and, of course, Gene Autry & Gabby Hayes, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. It was largely fantasy, I now realize, hiding a host of social problems & ills & injustices. Nevertheless, Grey's book brought back little memory of the true treasures of the Old West.
June 20, 2019
Views of Mormons are more accurate than they appear. Unfortunately Grey writes with an acidity toward Christian faith as well.
He was a product of his times, no doubt, calling into the question of the validity of the Bible in light of evolution.
The book itself is a romance and not a western. Riders of the Purple Sage had more description of the landscape but every other word is purple.
I have now read two books by ZG and never need read another one again.
He was a product of his times, no doubt, calling into the question of the validity of the Bible in light of evolution.
The book itself is a romance and not a western. Riders of the Purple Sage had more description of the landscape but every other word is purple.
I have now read two books by ZG and never need read another one again.
February 20, 2018
I was going to say stereotypical western, but I have been told that these stories actually are the first of the genre. So, prototypical western stories. Completely predictable. Chase scenes and heroes that get to save the pretty girl without jeopardizing their moral codes.
December 6, 2017
Enjoyed both !
December 31, 2017
The great far west.
Great book. A outstanding description of the adventures of the west. The life stile, the danger, the adventure. The menacing of religion.
Great book. A outstanding description of the adventures of the west. The life stile, the danger, the adventure. The menacing of religion.
April 24, 2022
It was too slow for me. I didn't read the second story.
May 18, 2022
Two Books, One Story
Together these two books contain the most extraordinary tale of the Old West. Zane Grey painted his masterpiece, and it is breathtaking.
Together these two books contain the most extraordinary tale of the Old West. Zane Grey painted his masterpiece, and it is breathtaking.
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August 29, 2017I love this author! His descriptions although long are complex and beautiful. You can easily imagine being in each scene.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews