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Hondo

Book 1 in the series:Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures

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"Hondo" by Louis L'Amour is a classic Western novel set in a time of conflict between Apache Indians and white settlers. The story follows Hondo Lane, a rugged and honest man, who finds himself in the middle of the desert with a homestead inhabited by a woman and child. As the plot unfolds, readers are taken on a journey of survival, friendship, and the complexities of the Apache-white conflict, all depicted with vivid descriptions of the landscape and character interactions.

Characters:

Characters are archetypical of the Western genre, with Hondo as the heroic loner, Angie as the moral center, and Vittoro representing the complexities of Native American perspective.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is direct and action-oriented, with vivid descriptions that reflect the Western genre, although it has been criticized for being clichéd.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot focuses on Hondo Lane, a U.S. Army scout, who finds himself in a moral dilemma between his responsibilities and the growing bond he forms with a ranching family as they face threats from Apache warriors.

Setting:

The setting is vividly depicted as the Arizona desert of the 1870s, highlighting themes of isolation and conflict in the Old West.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick, making it an easy and engaging read that maintains momentum throughout the story.
Chapter OneHE ROLLED THE cigarette in his lips, liking the taste of the tobacco, squinting his eyes against the sun glare. His buckskin shirt, seasoned by sun, rain, and sweat, smelled stale and old. ...

Notes:

Hondo features a character named Hondo Lane, a cavalry scout from the 1870s.
The story takes place in the Arizona desert during a period of conflict with the Apache.
Hondo Lane is depicted as a strong and silent hero, embodying the traditional Western archetype.
He forms a bond with Angie Lowe and her son, Johnny, whom he tries to protect from Apache attacks.
Hondo struggles with feelings of vulnerability for the family he wishes to protect.
The character Vittoro represents a noble Apache chief, adding depth to the portrayal of Native Americans.
The novel explores themes of honor, love, and survival against the backdrop of frontier life.
Despite some clichés, the book surprised many readers who usually avoid the Western genre.
Louis L'Amour researched extensively, interviewing gunfighters and studying Native American culture for authenticity in his writing.
The book was first published in 1953 and has been adapted into a film starring John Wayne.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include depictions of violence, racial stereotypes, and themes of colonialism and genocide.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in Hondo, particularly between the main characters Hondo and Angie, but it is complicated by Angie's marital situation.

From The Publisher:

Two men. One woman. A land that demanded courage-or death...

He was a man etched by the desert's howling winds, a big, broad-shouldered man who knew the ways of the Apache and ways of staying alive. She was a woman raising a young son on her own on a remote Arizona ranch. And between Hondo Lane and Angie Lowe was the warrior Vittoro, whose people were preparing to rise against the white men. Now the pioneer woman, the gunman, and the Apache warrior are caught in a drama of love, war, and honor.

Ratings (4)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (2)
Liked It (1)

Reader Stats (7):

Read It (4)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (1)

About the Author:

Our foremost storyteller of the American West, Louis L'Amour has thrilled a nation by chronicling the adventures of the brave men and woman who settled the frontier. There are more than three hundred million copies of his books in print around the world.

 
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