Turpentine

Dickensian novel disguised as a Western, along the lines of "Great Expectations" meets a Zane Grey story. Set in the mid 19th century (post-Civil War), the story follows a young man from sickness and poverty through health and success. Various historical figures make a cameo. I took a chance based o......more

I wish there were such a thing as four-and-a-half stars . . . oh, shucks, this one deserves five. As the cover states, ". . . brings the Old West back to life . . . in a novel filled with wit, brilliant characterizations, and descriptions that will leave you feeling as if you can still feel the dust......more

A fun romp in the 19th century old west...very entertaining.......more

This wonderful novel reads like Little Big Man as written by Charles Dickens. While not as great as Thomas Berger's comic western classic, this picaresque tale follows the (mis)adventures of Edward Turrentine Bayard III. A sickly young man, "Turpentine" journeys to the frontier from his Connecticut......more