so-soIt's done! Apparently knowing a book exists outside copyright and can be fetched at any time for free by accessing Project Gutenberg or YouTube audiobooks means I do not make it a priority to actually finish it. With fairly LARGE caveats: the racist stereotypes of indigenous people tossed around in casual speech (no actual indigenous characters), 1/?
pickI read this book because of my book club. Thank goodness for book clubs! It is definitely dated. It takes place in 1915ish. Zane Grey books were made into TV shows and influenced movies and television long after his death. The author was excellent at describing Utah. The character development was a little over the top for me. Some of the relationship descriptions were a little confusing, but as I kept reading I figured it out!
#OnThisDay in 1872, American Western author (and dentist) Zane Grey was born in Zanesville (named after founder Ebenezer Zane). Isn't that zany? (Sorry, I had to) A major influence in shaping the mythology of the Old West, Grey wrote more than 90 books which were adapted into 112 films, and became one of the first millionaire authors. #HistoryGetsLIT
pickBook 7. I was dubious about my 1st western. Written in 1912, I expected casual racism but was surprised by deep anti-Mormonism. The elders are kidnappers, murderers, & implied rapists. The protagonist, Jane, a wealthy rancher, is pressured by the elders into marriage to punish her willfulness. Jane loves her church, but also wants to do what‘s right, whether helping poor Gentiles or keeping her freedom. It‘s both hilariously bad & lovely in spots
pickThis book was published in 1912 and is considered the start of the traditional western model. As I read I was surprised to discover the plot was built around two love stories and the historical Morman-gentile conflict. It has its fair share of overwriting, exaggerated dialogue and sexism, but it remains an interesting period price. The twist at the end was quite clever.
I hope everyone enjoys Father‘s Day with their Dad this weekend! My Dad loved to read and always had a book ‘in progress‘. He enjoyed military fiction, history, and westerns. Pictured is a small part of his Zane Grey collection, with the tagged book in the middle. Miss you, Dad 💕
I don't have enough to read *hysterical laughter*. Curse you, Serial Reads.
Often called one of the most popular Western novels of all time and even the work that most shaped the genre. Jane Withersteen - alongside gunslinger avenger Lassiter - struggles against evil members of her Utah town.
This is the first of hopefully many Westerns I add to Serial Reader. I need recommendations for more!
What's a girl gotta do to get a fancy rolling library ladder around here? 😋 #shortgirlproblems
Riders of the Purple Sage: A Novel | 
The pacing and storyline is compelling, the characters are well fleshed out. 2d
While Jane's internal struggle, the discussion of religion, is the primary theme, there was a good deal of exploration around the theme of outcasts/isolation/loneliness (I can only imagine how many Wild West characters really needed a hug) and found family. 2d
I'd also like to take a moment to heap praise on Zane Grey's ability to describe a landscape and the experience of riding a horse. The atmosphere! 😍 2d
It may have taken me seven months to get back to it, but I'm glad I read it. Will I pick up another Zane Grey? Maybe. Maybe I'll read the synopsis first, this time. 😅 2d
⚠️Mention of animal cruelty, animal death, period typical racist stereotypes, misogyny 2d