Broken Trail

by Alan Geoffrion

Book by A. Geoffrion

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Historical Fiction

388 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Olivia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm grateful that this book was written, since it gave rise to the miniseries. That said . . . the miniseries is better. Much better, I'd venture to say.

To be honest, this didn't really come as a surprise to me. I'd skimmed bits and pieces of it before I actually read it all the way through, and I was already expecting it to underwhelm me.

Interestingly, the source material doesn't provide much exposition of either character or plot that isn't developed just as effectively (if not more so) in the show. There are a couple of new insights, but not many. Additionally, the book offers a seedier (i.e., hypocritical) Print and Tom, which isn't unrealistic but which certainly doesn't serve to enhance reader sympathy. I have more to say about that, but those thoughts will have to wait for a different forum.

There are also some cute rationalizations of European expansionism and colonization, so that's . . . fun.

Basically: I'm glad I read it, but, again, the miniseries is much better. 😉

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't write many reviews unless a book is especially good or especially horrible.. Broken Trail is hands down my favorite western of all time.. Liked the movie, LOVED the book!! It's definitely a tear jerker and it will piss you off in some parts.. .. But it is an amazing read !! To each it's own, you may not like it but I have recommended it to people I know that don't even enjoy westerns and they loved it..

Based on a true story, the things those five young women go through happened far too often back then and I'm happy it's finally coming to light..

Women like that should be remembered for their strength and courage.. All the men who protected and loved them should be remembered as well..

Much love, Kellyanne

[Malachi · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://archive.org/details/brokentra...

to-read-again worthy

[Pygmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read when comparing the similiaries and differences between the novel and the AMC mini series. There were characters in the novel that did not appear in the series-- one of them that struck my fancy in particular was a cowhand who was picked up by Print (merged with Heck who was picked up by Tom in the live-action) and who had a hole in his side where he leaked poop out of, and as a result couldn't find any employment. Too bad he was murdered, but it explains a lot as to why Tom would hang the Captain who stole their money and horses after drugging them. In the live-action, the Captain didn't kill anyone; as a result, it makes it harder to justify that Tom would hang him for thievery, but only shoot the hands of the guy who was raping the Chinese Number 4 girl under their care.

Otherwise, the novel was a bit choppy in transitioning through scenes and navigating the emotional and mental states of anyone who wasn't Print. The live-action definitely succeeded better on that score.

[John Bullard]

My favorite western, Gritty, Action-packed, and Honorable. Beautiful message about facing life head-on. A story about loyalty and doing what's right, instead of what's Easy. Beautiful folksy writing. Perfect roll for and story for Robert Duvall. Can't wait to watch the miniseries. I hope it's half as good as the book. If you like westerns, You'll love this. 5 Stars.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book after seeing it as a movie on AMC. It is the first and only western genre book I've ever read. It has a solid plot and believable (flawed but well-intentioned) characters. Simply a beautiful story, beautiful movie.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We saw the movie on Prime Video, learned it came from a book written especially for Robert Duvall, so I wanted to read it. Very similar in plot and characters. Differences are pretty insignificant. Duvall said this completed his trilogy: Lonesome Dove, Open Range, and Broken Trail.

[Mark Muramoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books ever. Ties in perfectly with the mini series.

[Jeffrey R. Kuschner · Rating 5 out of 5]

East to West

Life is all about choices. In Broken Trails an old cowboy gains an unexpected inheritance and joins up with his nephew offering him a
way to claim his share and maintain his pride.

Both are intelligent men of good character who are not afraid to go out of their way to take on burdens others might avoid.

Their choices and the consequences keep the story moving across the broad plains of the West combining action, reflection and kindness that come to define a band of strangers that share the common bond of humanity.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a nice quick read. The author has a great deal of experience working with horses and it show through his writing. The characters were likable and fun to follow. I actually wish the book could have been much longer. It could have gone deeper into the slave trade involving Chinese girls and how that business could flourish in a nation that had recently fought a civil war to end slavery. This is a well written and thought out book. I highly recommend it.

[P.S. Winn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great story of the old west. It combines the story of horsemen and Chinese girls brought to America to be used in the worst way. This is a touching story of life and hard times, that includes unusual friendships that arise because of those same hard time. Amazing look at the past and life.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story. Timely and powerful.

[Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good tale, with some major differences than a standard western. Great characters and excellent imagery.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An atmospheric and thoughtful western novel that inspired an enjoyable mini-series.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. This is one case where the movie is as good or maybe even better than the book. Highly recommend.

[Josh Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lately, for some odd and unknown reason, I've been on a Western theme kick. So it was only fitting that I pick up a Western read. While this book started off slow, it definitely hit its stride a few chapters in. I am, generally speaking, a fan of books and novels that have a slew of action and a basis in the horror genre. This book had not the slightest bit of either of those aspects, but I absolutely loved it. The description that Geoffrion uses to paint pictures of the landscape of the story is absolutely beautiful. The plot is a meandering river that keeps the pace with the cattle drive. The characters are flawed but sympathetic and, in some cases, heroic. Absolutely a must read for fans of the Western genre or anybody who's interested in picking up a western book for the first time.

[Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alan Geoffrion wrote BROKENTRAIL, which is an old time, western book from the movie starring Robert Duvall. This book took me a while to read so i would get lost in places but all in all it was good. Print and Tom, who are the main two cowboys, take over five hundred horses all the way to Wyoming. Along the way they meet this guy selling these five Chinese girls for prostitution. Deciding to risk their lives, Print and Tom have to fight to try and save them. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes western stories and would take the time to sit down and read it.

[Mirah W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book...I'm going to rank it second to the Lonesome Dove series by Larry McMurtry. I thought the characters were great...even though the book isn't that long, the author really gives the reader a sense of who the characters are and I really cared for them. When I was reading the physical description of Print Ritter, Robert Duvall immediately came to mind (in the author questions Geoffrion admits that the character was based on Duvall). I thought the plot was great and thought the addition of the Chinese girls was an interesting twist on the typical western novel.

[Cate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw the movie first and liked it very much, but I liked the book even more. In the book, the characters seemed to be much more likeable, much more realistic (they seem to be flat, stereotypical cowboys in the movie), and the storyline with the bad guys is a bit more believable (in the movie, all the bad guys are working together, but in the book they're separate people with separate goals). I highly recommend this book for people who like westerns, or for people who like stories with strong women as none of the women in this story are weaklings.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed the movie of the same name, I was quite excited to find that it was based on this wonderful book (I'm not going to compare the movie and book as they are both great in their own right). The book contains many rich and colourful characters and pulls your right out there into the American West. It touches on the compassion of "tough" cowboys but without being a "soppy" story. Being too short was the only downside...but then, had it been longer, it may not have been what it is. Brilliant book. I finished it in one night.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Dad handed me this western paperback about an old cowboy who drives a herd of horses from Oregon to Wyoming, and saves a wagon-load of Chinese girls who were going to be sold as prostitutes. It's a pretty exciting story, and then you get to the end and find out the entire thing is true!
Robert Duvall starred in the movie version of this book, and played a role in the book being written. I could picture him pretty clearly as Print, the old cowboy.

[Rose Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a western, and the basis for a miniseries on AMC. Well, I don't usually read westerns, BUT -- this was very very well-written and entertaining. I could not put it down and spent all day reading it.

[Yeva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Broken Trail is a story that takes you on a journey- taking horses across the West and a man's journey through the end of mid-life. This was a very good book with strong description and even stronger emotions.
Well done, Alan Geoffrion.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good story that would have benefited from being fleshed out a little more. I loved this TV mini-series and bought the book with high hopes, but it just was a little skimpy on back stories and details.

[Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mildly entertaining, but can't say much more for it than that.

[Keith Herlihy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the movie so I got the book it's definitely a nice little read

[Kayla Holthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish there would have been more. More about the girls, Nola and even Tom. Could have delved deeper into characters and where they came from. It was a good book, just wished there had been more.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Escapism...south dakota style. I liked that it had references to southwest Virginia too.