Wednesday, February 01, 2017

Ten top western novels you may have never read

Andrew Hilleman was born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1982. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in English at Creighton University, in Omaha, and his M.F.A. in fiction from Northern Michigan University. He has been published by The Fiddlehead and was a finalist for Glimmer Train’s Very Short Fiction Award.

Hilleman's new novel is World, Chase Me Down.

At Publishers Weekly he tagged ten great western novels you've probably never read, including:
Deadwood by Pete Dexter

Forget the HBO show of the same name. No, really, forget it. I’ve tried to despite loving it, mainly because of the unfinished ending after it was cancelled following season three. This novel takes place in the same famous South Dakota town and features many of the same historical players including Wild Bill, Charlie Utter, and my personal favorite Calamity Jane. But that’s where the similarities stop. Dexter’s novel was published in 1986, so it’s got dibs anyway. Plus, it’s just a lot damn better and has an actual ending to boot! It’s also as bizarre as a Western novel gets. And that’s a good thing.
Read about another entry on the list.

--Marshal Zeringue