A captivating look at how a dying gunfighter decides to end things on his own terms. - The Bordeaux Side
Title: The Shootist
Author: Glendon Swarthout, Miles Swarthout (Introduction)
Genre: Fiction, Westerns, Books to Movies
Publication Date: 10/01/2011
Publisher: Bison Books
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 248
EAN/UPC: 9780803238237
US SRP: $18.95
Additional Format(s):
Digital Format(s):
Kindle $16.91
Audio - various prices
Summary:
John Bernard Books is a famous assassin that ventured to El Paso, TX from Creede, CO to get a second opinion from Dr. Hostetler. Dr. Hostetler removed a bullet from Books eight years before in Brisbee, AZ. Books had a fight in a restaurant and it was the only time that Books had been hit. The doctor happened to be at the restaurant and was able to do a makeshift surgery and remove the bullet. Since Dr. Hostetler was able to successfully remove the bullet under those conditions, Books respected him. Shortly after arriving in El Paso, Books is examined by Hostetler and he was given the same diagnosis that he has prostate cancer which is spreading rapidly. The doctor tells him that he does not have long to live.
Books rented a room from Mrs. Bond Rogers telling her that his name was William Hickok from Abilene, KS. He did this because he did not want anyone to know he was in town. Mrs. Roger’s son, Gillom saw him come to the house and was spying on him through a window. Gillom recognized him by his guns and the way he placed them in his holster. Gillom is fascinated with shooters and knows all about the legendary J. B. Books and his Remingtons which were made to order. Word eventually spreads that Books is in El Paso and is dying. A couple of no-goods attempted to kill him to gain some notoriety, but it didn’t work because Books ended up shooting both of them. He easily deduced that it was marshal Thibido that told people after he asked him not to tell anyone.
After this J. B Books spends most of his time contemplating the rest of his life and how he would like to die when it gets to the point where it is no longer bearable. Dr. Hostetler had already explained to him that there is nothing that he can do for him except give him pain medicine which he will slowly require more over time.During this time all types of people are trying to profit in some way off of the legendary shootist’s life. J. B. Books does find ways to make some money himself based off of his possessions and his notoriety. He saves the money so that he may leave it for Mrs. Rogers. Books decides that he would like to have one last gunfight before he dies and it will further add to his legacy and start one for another person.
My Review:
The Shootist is a well written novel that is full of suspense and dialogue. Swarthout shows many dimensions to J. B. Book’s character. Over the course of the novel the readers learn more about what makes him the way he is. It goes into just enough of his background that the reader will not be overwhelmed with details. I do wish that more information could have been given about Mrs. Bond Rogers and her son. The writer only explains that Mrs. Rogers is having to rent rooms because her husband passed away. The reader learns that Gillom doesn’t want his mother to ever mention his father, but we do now know why. I am assuming that he is still grieving his father’s death, by how upset he became after his mother told him that Books is dying.
The book was very enjoyable to read and it really grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The settings came to life and I could easily picture them in my mind. The book could easily be enjoyed by readers of various genres such as suspense, mystery, and westerns. I found myself rooting for J. B. Books when he had his last gunfights because you want him to still be victorious even though he is ill. I felt empathy for him in his final stages because you could feel his physical and emotional pain. If I can get in the character's shoes and understand their feelings, it is a well written book.
Ratings:
Quality: 🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷- Rich
The book was very well written and it garnered my attention right away. The plot was well thought out and flowed easily.
Popularity: 🍹🍹🍹🍹 - Another round for everybody
The book was so suspenseful that I want to tell others about it.
Significance of the Book:
This book is outstanding because the reader doesn’t have to be a fan of the genre to enjoy it. Readers will be drawn in because the plot is well developed. It actually describes the time period and the setting well, it will make you want to explore other books in this genre.
Author website and review:
The author does not have a website, but please see the link below for more information:
"Many cowboys suffer prostate problems after years spent in the saddle, and aging gunfighter J.B. Books, the hero of this novel, is among them—a man with a fatal cancer. Determined to die in a way that would give meaning to his life, he plans a suicidal shootout against El Paso's three bad guys, to take place in the town’s best saloon. The crystalline descriptions of the bar violence are memorable—as are the details of death—and delivered in unflinching prose. But there is more to Books than killing. He is also a man given to sitting in his bedroom poring over newspaper ads, social items and excerpts that describe the recent death of Queen Victoria and the plans for her death mask—rich additions to this arresting portrait of an old gunslinger in his final days and at the end of an era."—Wall Street Journal
“This is definitely more than a Western; the characterization is flawless, the plot absorbing and convincing.”—Library Journal
Awards Won:
Spur Award for Best Western Short Novel - 1975 (The Shootist)
Owen Wister Award, Western Writers of America - 1991 for his body of work
Appeal Factors: Confronting mortality
Read-alike Titles:
“Doc” by Mary Doria Russell - Westerns
“Crossing Purgatory” by Gary Lester Schanbacher - Dramatic, Westerns
“Apache Lament” by Patrick Dearn - Death, Grief
Booktalking ideas:
The marshal in El Paso mistakenly thinks that since Books is dying from cancer, he can take his special ordered Remingtons from him without a problem. For a book talk or conversation with a patron, I would read this passage from page 40. This conversation takes place after Thibido gets a look at his famous guns.
“ The marshal cocked his head. ‘I could take them, you know. Now.’
‘ But you wouldn’t.’
‘Wouldn’t I?’
‘ No.’ Books spoke evenly. ‘Because if you did, I’d go out and buy a gun, any gun. I can still get around. Then I’d come for you. Your deputies would swim the river. You’d be alone. You and I know how it would turn out. It would snow the day they buried you. So put my guns away.’”
Book Discussion Questions:
Dr. Hostetler mentioned to J. B. Books that if it were him, he would choose not to go through the painful drawn-out death associated with this type of cancer. If he had the courage and skill that Books has with weapons. Do you think this was why Books decided to die on his own terms with a shoot-out?
Do you think Mrs. Bond Rogers should have told her son that Books was dying?
Bond Rogers thought that telling her son the secret that Books is dying is just as grave as killing the two men. Do you agree or disagree with this and why?
This book was made into a film starring John Wayne. If you saw the film, do you think the film adequately captured the essence of the book?
Why I Chose This Book:
In trying to develop good RA skills I am trying to read different novels from various genres. In the article Getting Up to Speed in Westerns by Joyce Saricks, The Shootist, is listed as a key title to read, and I believe this will give me a good foundation with western books. The description of the protagonist grabbed my attention.
Clues for the Future: Cancer; Early 1900s; Wants to Die on His Own Terms; Individuals wanted to profit off of his death
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