Ron Hansen re-creates the real West with his imaginative telling of the life of the most famous outlaw of them all, Jesse James, and of his death at the hands of the upstart Robert Ford. James, a charismatic, superstitious, and moody man, holds sway over a ragged gang who fear his temper and quick shooting. Robert Ford, a young gang member torn between worshiping Jesse and taking his place, guns him down in cold blood and lives out his days tormented by the killing.
Ron Hansen's novel chronicles the lives and times of Jesse James and Robert Ford, the sycophantic young outlaw who eventually shot Jesse in the back. In Hansen's quest for period accuracy, the early chapters are slow going, but G. Valmont Thomas's narration is strong enough to overcome the heavy exposition. Thomas's shaded characterizations provide fascinating human insights into the legend of Jesse. The author reveals details of the gunslinger's personality--he used potions, and was superstitious and vain. Jesse's relationship with Zee is described as well--from courtship to marriage. Hansen's habit of "verbing" nouns gets annoying ("wristed with lace," "snailed across the road"), but Thomas's performance is so appealing--with his mellifluous tones; honest, uncluttered delivery; and perfect diction--that listeners won't mind. Thomas makes this an audiobook you won't want to miss. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine
Christian Science Monitor...
Recalls the literature of Americana by John Steinbeck, Erskine Caldwell, Willa Cather, and Hamlin Garland...Hansen has broadened our perception of the West in much the same way as the best historians...and proven himself one of our finest stylists of American historical fiction.
About the Author
Ron Hansen is the author of Desperadoes, Atticus, and the short-story collection Nebraska. Atticus was a finalist for the 1996 National Book Award for Fiction, and Nebraska earned an award in literature from the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters. He lives in northern California.
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