There are incredible sets of western books. Some of the most popular and bestselling authors have curated masterpieces. It is a different genre and takes you back in time to ancient America.
Western books are remarkable and give an incredible experience to the readers. There are plenty of options available for you to read about them. It’s always a hassle to research and land on a credible book. But fret not, we are narrowing down your hassle here.
In this article, we are presenting a list of the 10 best western books available for you. Without any further ado, let’s get started!
Best Western Books To Read In 2024
1. Lonesome Dove
Highlights
Author: Larry McMurty
Last Published: 2010
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Description
This book is the Pulitzer Prize-winning American classic. It is one of the most remarkable western books available. The story revolves around two aging Texas rangers stepping into their last adventure. Lonesome Dove is an epic novel written incredibly.
It is a beautiful compilation with immense drama that will make you laugh, dream, and weep. The book invokes a lot of emotions.
The story is about 2 ex-Texas rangers and a group of cowhands who move their journey towards Montana from a dry town known as Lonesome Dove. The character development of each character is astounding. This novel is highly captivating and engrossing without any dull moments. The tale is all about the lives of characters, their relationships, and their hopes and dreams. The writer has beautifully explained the problems in the journey due to geography, weather, and even bandits.
There are a lot of twists and turns in the story. The readers learn a lot about the horrific account of life in the 1900s. The book talks about their lifestyles, endurance, their families as well as their love lives.
Overall, it is an exceptional book depicting the historical context with great ease and engagement.
You can buy this book here.
2. Blood Meridian
Highlights
Author: Cormac McCarthy
Last Published: 1992
Publisher: Vintage
Description
Bloody Meridian is a brilliant novel that talks about depravity and violence in America’s westward expansion. The story revolves around a 14-year-old Tennesseean kid Who witnesses a Dark World. In it, the Indians are brutally murdered and there is havoc everywhere.
The writing style is extremely unique. It is highly violent, bleak, and bloody. Clearly, it is not for the faint-hearted. It also talks about a significant time period in American and Mexican history, where Glanton’s gang is employed as bounty hunters to kill a large number of Indians. The overall landscape is harsh and unforgiving.
The young kid has a weird thing for violence and this novel does justice in that portrayal. If you wish to read something different in the list of western books, then this is the book for you.
You can buy this book here.
3. True Grit
Highlights
Author: Charles Portis
Last Published: 2012
Publisher: Harry. N. Abrams
Description
Charles is one of the most famous and foremost writers of America. True grit is a phenomenal story and two movies are based on it. One was released in 1969 and the other was an Academy Award winner in 2010.
The story revolves around Mattie Ross who is 14 years old. A coward shoots her father in Fort Smith and robs him. Mattie leaves her home and goes on to take revenge for her father’s blood. One more character named Rooster Cogburn who is a mean US Marshall is by her side. She goes on to pursue a homicide into Indian territory.
The novel focuses on minor details as well such as strongly-held morality and church learning. It is highly unblinking and unsentimental.
The movie is exceptional too yet misses some quality aspects of the book.
You can buy this book here.
4. The Sisters Brothers
Highlights
Author: Patrick deWitt
Last Published: 2012
Publisher: Ecco
Description
This book is a masterpiece. It has several accolades in its kitty. This was the best book of the year by Washington Post, Amazon, Publishers Weekly, and Hudson Booksellers.
This novel is a classic homage to classic western culture with a remarkable cast of characters. It is a tasteful amalgamation of violence, lust, and odyssey during the 1850s. The story involves a lot of emotions such as melancholy, humor, and grit of the two brothers and the old west.
Hermann Kermit Warm is sentenced to death by the orders of the Commodore. Eli and Charlie have to assure this. Eli is the narrator of the story who is constantly tortured by his own self-reflection and memories. Whereas Charlie is a forceful personality with his own demons. It is an exceptional layered work of literature.
It is a bloody tale that is also full of darkly funny moments. deWaitt has clearly shown strength in subtle and tremendous prose. Overall, the book is a mix of various emotions and engages the readers in the best way possible.
You can buy this book here.
5. The Virginian
Highlights
Author: Owen Wister
Last Published: 2017
Description
This is one of the most incredible books of all time. It is a classic western novel that tells about the essential conflicts existing in humans such as good and evil, desire and duty, love and hate, morality and necessity, and much more. The story takes place in Wyoming’s territory of the 1880s.
Although the book is hefty but worth reading. The story is dramatic, cohesive, and irresistible.
The beautiful depiction of the pristine West is admirable. It takes you back to the time of the 19th century and invokes plenty of emotions as well. The entire story of a cowboy in the 1800s is a treat to read as we get to learn several new things. The writing is poetic yet crisp and clear.
You can buy this book here.
6. Riders of The Purple Sage
Highlights
Author: Zane Grey
Last Published: 2010
Publisher: Hachette Book Group US Agency
Description
Over 40 million copies of this book have been sold. Zane has attracted millions of readers with this remarkable story of the old west in all its glory.
The story is set in Cottonwood, Utah in 1871. It revolves around two hero-heroine relationships in the middle ground of the 19th century and showcases the oppressive nature of the Mormon church. The dialogue delivery between the characters is absolutely remarkable and engaging. It consists of some powerful lyrical passages. Although the plot is bizarre but captures the attention of readers.
Jane, a Mormon, is forced to marry against her own will and this leads to the loss of her servants and riders. A large part of the book revolves around Bern who is one of Jane’s riders and his encounter with a mysterious girl.
Apart from this, the canyons and purple Sage of Utah and the landscape are superb. The description of the wildlife secret Valley and the weather is completely mystical.
You can buy this book here.
7. The Assassination of Jesse James
Highlights
Author: Ron Hansen
Last Published: 2007
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Description
Jesse James is a character full of charisma, spirituality, and a full-of-life persona. This is one of the most powerful and unforgettable stories of twisted parts and twin destinies. It results in blood and betrayal. The normal Portrait America in her days along with the myths.
Another character Robert Ford, is a Young man who mingles between murderous jealousy and dedicated worship. He is also shown as the coward who coveted Jesse,
There are tons of twists and turns in the story that engages the readers highly. It is a very well-written and evocative story of a celebrity anti-hero along with his murderers. The writer is inspired by the real events around him. All the sections dealing with the day of murder is remarkably written and explained. As the tragedy unfolds, the writer in a way turns the incident into slow motion.
Overall the writing is incredible and so is the movie based on this wonderful story.
You can buy this book here.
9. The Ox-Bow Incident
Highlights
Author: Walter Van Tilburg Clark
Last Published: 2004
Publisher: Modern Library
Description
The story is set in 1885. In the American West, The ox bow incident is a realistic portrayal of mob violence and frontier life. This novel was first published in 1940 and revolves around the lynching of three completely innocent men. It also depicts how the situations can turn worse when law and order or not in place.
The story shows how the atmosphere was emotionally powerful, unforgettable, and vivid. Clarke has beautifully created this universal story about justice and human nature, good and evil, individual and community. He frames the theme of civilization in a remarkable way and connects with the readers.
The writer portrays the life of the Wild West and its society as well as the behavior of men at that time. Overall, this journey will turn you and take you on a journey of great learning.
You can buy this book here.
10. Hondo: A Novel
Highlights
Author: Louis L’Amour
Last Published: 1983
Publisher: RHUS
Description
Louis is a fine storyteller and writes with a great caliber and knowledge base. He has a great understanding of the Arizona landscape. The story is a remarkable western romance. Hondo Lane is an idealized character. He is calm, quiet, and has competent masculinity.
In addition to this, he is a strong, broad-shouldered man who knows the ways of the Apache and how to stay alive. Another strong character, Angie is a woman who raises her son alone on a remote Arizona ranch.
Between both Angie and Hondo, is a warrior named Vittorio who was preparing his people to rebel against the white men. All these three characters are intertwined with a lot of emotions such as love, drama, honor, and war. The writing style is highly intriguing and sticks the readers to the story.
You can buy this book here.
11. Little Big Man
Highlights
Author: Thomas Berger
Last Published: 1989
Publisher: Dial Press Trade Paperback
Description
This novel is one of the most incredible compilations. The story is about a ten-year-old boy named Jack who is adopted by an Indian chief. He calls him a little big man. A Cheyenne, he loves to eat dogs, has four wives, and his horse soldiers butcher his people in front of him. All these orders were proclaimed by General George Armstrong Custer.
The chief is a staunch enemy of the General and wants to kill him one day. However, he fights with him in the battle of Little Bighorn. He also tangles with Wyatt Earp, pushes buffalo to near extension, and much more.
The little big man is completely a literary achievement and gets better with age. To understand and learn more.
You can buy this book here.
Conclusion
Western books are a marvel to read and experience. There are plenty of mediums for you to read from. You can try online channels, podcasts, and even movies. Interestingly, most of the books mentioned above have been cast as movies. All of them are brilliant and have been awarded several accolades.
If you are a book lover, then you must browse the most popular and classic ones.
In this article, we have enlisted the 10 best western books for you. We hope that this article helps you in the best way possible.
Keep reading, keep learning!
People are also reading: