A classic that is more than a western. It's also a story about one of the myths of the United States - the heroic Lone Hero on the Frontier. Shane is the embodiment of the Lone Hero, someone who shares the values of the society, but has the destructive skills of the outlaws.He rides out of the wilderness to aid the band of pioneers and take on the land-grabbing cattle baron. In 2015 this is a cliche, but ,as I have pointed out in the past for older stories, Shane is the archetype (yes I know this is open for debate, but it's my review). It still has a freshness because it's one of the first (a nod to those who disagree) of it's type.
In reality such men never existed. The real world is more messy. Shane is a mythical individual, but what makes Shane (the character) work so well is that Shane is told from the perspective of a young boy, or at least the memories of a young boy.The narrator is an adult, but he doesn't clutter the account with adult sensibilities. The man Shane is mythical because that is how children see the adults that they admire. There is no cynicism in Shaffer's story. It's an honest and heartfelt telling because that is how we view the world when we are young.
Now there are times the writing does verge on being pulpy such as when Shane is confronting the gunfighter brought in by the cattle baron. Here is one small sample.
“I’m waiting, Wilson. Do I have to crowd you into slapping leather?”
Yep that classic pulp. However it's very good pulp and even though it was originally sold to Argosy magazine as a serial the story rose above it's origins - which is why it is a classic. Both the novel and the movie.
Good......no make that a great story. Even if you don't like westerns try Shane. You won't be sorry.
In reality such men never existed. The real world is more messy. Shane is a mythical individual, but what makes Shane (the character) work so well is that Shane is told from the perspective of a young boy, or at least the memories of a young boy.The narrator is an adult, but he doesn't clutter the account with adult sensibilities. The man Shane is mythical because that is how children see the adults that they admire. There is no cynicism in Shaffer's story. It's an honest and heartfelt telling because that is how we view the world when we are young.
Now there are times the writing does verge on being pulpy such as when Shane is confronting the gunfighter brought in by the cattle baron. Here is one small sample.
“I’m waiting, Wilson. Do I have to crowd you into slapping leather?”
Yep that classic pulp. However it's very good pulp and even though it was originally sold to Argosy magazine as a serial the story rose above it's origins - which is why it is a classic. Both the novel and the movie.
Good......no make that a great story. Even if you don't like westerns try Shane. You won't be sorry.
