Guest Review: Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker

This Book Is About

My Thoughts On This Book

Robert B. Parker’s Appaloosa is not the typical Western. First, you’re not likely to find the town on a map–past and present. Also, the story doesn’t adhere to the harsh tension on the edge of civilization that defines the Western genre.

That being said, I do love this book, and it has everything to do with what Parker does best. Make his characters talk.

You start the story off with Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch being hired on in Appaloosa to keep the peace from a man trying to run the town through his thugs. However, Cole and Hitch are pretty much hired thugs with badges, but it is that badge that constitutes Cole’s identity and internal conflict throughout the story. If you have ever read any of Parker’s Spenser novels, you know what kind of verbal arsenal the author can bring to play, and he does not disappoint in this series. The writing is witty, engaging and funny. It is definitely something I can go back to and continue to consider the inner workings of human nature.

If you’ve seen the movie and you’re not sure about this book, I don’t blame you. While the dialogue was still entertaining, it was not enough to carry the movie. The action was too spaced out, and not all of the actors (or actresses) brought the force of personality to make the roles drive this move through its drama. You loose all of that in the book though. The dialogue passes a lot more quickly on the page versus on the screen, allowing you to get to the scenes that drive the story forward and ramps up the tension.

So while you’re reading the book, just forget there was a movie. It will get rid of any reservations you might still have.

My only disappointment about this book is that there is only are only three Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch westerns out, with a fourth on the way this year. And that’s all there will every be by the author. As you may already know, Robert B. Parker passed away earlier this year–at his desk writing, as I understand it. The world lost a fantastic writer with his passing, but he has also left behind an impressive legacy to be remembered by.

Rating & Levels For This Book

I Give This Book 4 Vikings out of five	Violence Level 3 Burning Huts out of five	Romance Level 3 Hearts out of five
# of actual vikings in book: 0 What do these levels mean? »	Humor Level 2 Smiles out of five	Lust Level 3 Kisses out of five

Author and Publishing Information For This Book

Author & Book Details Title: Appaloosa Author(s): Robert B. Parker ISBN#: 9780425204320 Genre(s): Western Edition Reviewed: Unabridged Audio CD Illustrations: No Page Count: 320 Part of a Series: First in Everett & Virgil series

Publishing & Copyright Details Publisher(s): Berkeley Copyright: 2005 In Print: Yes Original Language: English Published in Other Languages: No Find a Local Book Store »

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2 Responses to “Guest Review: Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker”

1. BookJunkee00 says:

   May 1, 2010 at 2:25 pm

   I love that movie haven’t read the book but I so want to.. I usually read the book first if a movie is made great review.
   Happy Reading!!!
   • John W Oliver says:

     May 3, 2010 at 5:49 pm

     Thank you for the feedback. I love Parker’s work, and I’m slowly trying to make my way through his Spenser series. He’s a great author to indulge in.