FICTION

Glorious: A Novel of the American West

Putnam. May 2014. 416p. ISBN 9780399165412. $26.95; ebk. ISBN 9781101623213. F
COPY ISBN
Armed with a gun he doesn't know how to shoot, Cash McLendon is an unlikely candidate for surviving in the mining town of Glorious in the Arizona Territory in 1872. On the run from St. Louis and his wealthy father-in-law, who blames him for his daughter's death, Cash ends up in Glorious, where his jilted former love had moved. Gabrielle Tirritos rebuffs his renewed attentions because her heart has mended thanks to the local sheriff, but Cash sticks around anyway in hopes of winning her back. He soon finds himself changing from someone who only cares about self-preservation to a person who wants to help the townspeople save Glorious from rebellious Apaches and other evil forces.
VERDICT Guinn has parlayed the research he did for his nonfiction title The Last Gunfight (a history of the gunfight at the O.K. Corral) by weaving the early days of the infamous Clanton brothers into the story. Sprinkled with allusions to Mark Twain, President Grant, Cochise, and the Clantons, this first installment in a trilogy will delight historical fiction fans longing for the return of classic Westerns. This entertaining outing is sure to keep the saloon doors swinging for more entries in the genre. [See Prepub Alert, 11/18/13.]
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.


RELATED 

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?