As a teen, I loved Louis L'Amour novels. Reading this book brought memories of the amazing heroes in L'Amour's exciting tales. I, however, liked L'Amour's novels a lot better.
The narrator, a young boy named Bob Starrett, relates how a mysterious stranger, named Shane, arrives to a rural area in Wyoming in 1889. His parents persuade Shane to remain on their homestead, helping them with their farm. Even though Shane won't discuss his past, the Starrett family trust him and feel safe with him. Fletcher, the area's cattle dealer, wants the homesteaders' lands and resorts to bullying and violence to achieve his desires. Is Shane capable of protecting the Starretts and saving their homestead?
It seemed to me that the family's idolizing of Shane was over the top. The family's adoration for Shane was a bit sickening. At times it seemed like Shane was romatically interested in Bob's mother and she returned that affection. Yet the novel was told from a young boy's point of view so it may be an accurate portrayal and well-executed.
Categorized as "young adult".
Points to discuss/warnings: a couple of swear words, very violent (fights and injuries/death told in description), idolizing, emotional affair (not overt but enough to sense it is occurring)
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