A New York Times Bestselling Author
This is a richly imagined novel of the Old West, as spare and vivid as a high plains sunset, from "one of the... read full description
reviews
Mar 20, 2009
Lindsey
rated it: 
My first (and probably last) western. Kirkus, Library Journal, and Publishers Weekly all gave this a starred review, so I guess people who like Westerns thought it was really good, but I do not get it.
The only western story I really know is of Wyatt Earp, and this is basically the same story. Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are sherriffs-for-hire, and they are brought into Appaloosa because a local bad guy has too much power and is making the town miserable. There are gun fights and More...
The only western story I really know is of Wyatt Earp, and this is basically the same story. Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch are sherriffs-for-hire, and they are brought into Appaloosa because a local bad guy has too much power and is making the town miserable. There are gun fights and More...
3 comments
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Feb 20, 2008
Michael
rated it: 
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Jan 12, 2011
Carrie
rated it:
A spare, beautifully written western about the Virgil, a marshal for hire, and his right hand man, Everett. When they take a job in Appaloosa, the plan is to take on Randall Bragg , the rancher who’s running the town and killing the lawmen. Things get more complicated with the arrival of the opportunistic Mrs. Allie French and the failed transport of Bragg to jail.
This has the same deadpan cowboy humor and camaraderie that I enjoyed with Larry McMurtry, but with a faster plot and More...
This has the same deadpan cowboy humor and camaraderie that I enjoyed with Larry McMurtry, but with a faster plot and More...
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Apr 01, 2009
Andrew
rated it: 
I read this book for a book club that normally tackles literary classics and works that we feel have some sort of resonance in the wider world. This time, though, a new member of the group picked something out, and we ended up reading this Western novel, which I personally blew through in a day. I'm not sure what motivated him to pick it, as there were really no wider cultural resonances here that seemed to me to have any significance. This is pure pulp Western, narrated by a hard-working lawman
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Dec 14, 2011
***Dave
rated it:
(Original review http://hill-kleerup.org/blog/2008/03/25/...)
Take one of Parker’s Spenser novels — the newer ones, that aren’t as interesting or complex as the originals — strip it down to the frame, taking out all the tired backstory and too-oft-trod set pieces, then inject it with guns and horses and injuns and bad men and bad women and not-so-bad men, mix with heavy doses of myth and icon, then swig down in about 180 minutes of steady reading, and you have "Appaloosa".
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Take one of Parker’s Spenser novels — the newer ones, that aren’t as interesting or complex as the originals — strip it down to the frame, taking out all the tired backstory and too-oft-trod set pieces, then inject it with guns and horses and injuns and bad men and bad women and not-so-bad men, mix with heavy doses of myth and icon, then swig down in about 180 minutes of steady reading, and you have "Appaloosa".
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Dec 01, 2011
Erin
rated it:
Appaloosa
by Robert B. Parker
I admit, I haven’t read a whole lot of westerns, but I thought I would give this best-sellling novelist a try. The novel begins with gunslinger Everett Hitch, the wandering type— that is until he stumbles into a dusty town and meets the stoic Virgil Cole. Cole is a man of honor, and Everett can see that. That is why when the two are approached to become sherriff and deputy in Appaloosa, a town plagued by the shifty rancher, Randall Bragg, Everett doesn’t e More...
by Robert B. Parker
I admit, I haven’t read a whole lot of westerns, but I thought I would give this best-sellling novelist a try. The novel begins with gunslinger Everett Hitch, the wandering type— that is until he stumbles into a dusty town and meets the stoic Virgil Cole. Cole is a man of honor, and Everett can see that. That is why when the two are approached to become sherriff and deputy in Appaloosa, a town plagued by the shifty rancher, Randall Bragg, Everett doesn’t e More...
Oct 24, 2011
Mandy
rated it:
Appaloosa was as any old western, full of horses, fights, and women. It had many good morals in between the lines, some of which were respect, honesty, and most importantly honor. The main characters were a town Marshall and his right hand man, the Deputy. Together they faught endless battles for their women and mainly to uphold the law. They were the best shooters and lawmen around but soon keeping track of the town got very boring and worrysome. The two were always together and faught for each
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Oct 11, 2011
Jen
rated it:
I have to admit, when our Book Club had to read this book I was not entirely enthusiastic or looking forward to it. Infact it was a book I thought I might not read at all. BUT everyone said it was a quick read and that they were enjoying it, so I borrowed a copy the week of our meeting. I finished it in 2 1/2 days and loved it (okay so it could probably be read in a day if that was all you did that day)! It is a nice easy read and the characters are enjoyable and easy to get to know (doesn't
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Aug 15, 2011
Growing up in a region where actual cowboys did not exist (nor had they ever, really), and yet where the “cool kids” liked to wear western boots and drive stupidly oversized vehicles loosely based on trucks, I have a long nurtured aversion to all things “Western.” Western needs to be in quotes there, because I realize the word has other meanings, some of which I’m very fond of. I think you know what I mean by those quotes.
(Punctuation Nerd Sidebar: remember when quotes meant dialogue? More...
(Punctuation Nerd Sidebar: remember when quotes meant dialogue? More...
Jul 10, 2011
Lynne
rated it:
There were several things I liked about this book. I found that the way Parker used the appaloosa stallion as a metaphore for the main character was very clever. I really liked the relationship between the main character, Virgil Cole, and his sidekick, Everett Hitch. The way they talked to and understood each other was very well developed and enjoyable. I will definitely read more in the series because of the two main characters. Finally, the story was interesting once it got going.
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Aug 05, 2010
Richard
rated it:
Robert B. Parker (1932 to 2010) is best known for his "Spenser" novels, about a private detective in Boston. He wrote about forty "Spenser" novels. They were the basis for the popular "Spenser for Hire" series on ABC in the late 1980's, starring Robert Urich. Parker wrote two other novel series, "Jesse Stone" and "Sunny Randall". He was quite prolific, sometimes releasing three novels in one year. He also wrote a number stand-alone novels such as
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Mar 29, 2009
Rob
rated it:
This is a western in the sense that it's set in the old west of the 1800's, and like all westerns I have read, it has a very simple plot: greedy rancher and his men terrorizes town people; town officials hire marshal to bring law and order to the town; marshal outwits, kills or jails anybody who disrupts the peace. Good guy defeat bad guys; good triumphs over evil, end of story.
Everett Hitch, a former military man leaves the army and drifts from town to town, taking whatever job pays. In o More...
Everett Hitch, a former military man leaves the army and drifts from town to town, taking whatever job pays. In o More...
Jul 12, 2010
Katharine
rated it:
I've read many of Parker's Spenser books and enjoyed them, and I've read many Louis L'Amour books and enjoyed them. So I thought I'd listen to this on cd. I don't think it spoils anything to say that in the first two minutes a woman is raped and the F-word is used. Whoa. Louis L'Amour this ain't!
Other than that, pretty typical Western and pretty typical Parker. Strong laconic types doing what is right with a little more philosophizing than anyone really wants or needs. Spare di More...
Other than that, pretty typical Western and pretty typical Parker. Strong laconic types doing what is right with a little more philosophizing than anyone really wants or needs. Spare di More...
Aug 26, 2009
Greg
rated it: 
Awful, just awful. Almost no plot, intrigue, or character development and replete with foul language (seemed like every other word, way beyond what I even hear in high schools these days!). It seemed to exist simply as a slow moving vehicle for bad behavior, brutal violence, and the worst that can be offered in the way of anti-heroes.
I'm seriously disappointed in Parker for putting out this trash heap of a novel. I've seen a decline in the quality and originality of his work in recen More...
I'm seriously disappointed in Parker for putting out this trash heap of a novel. I've seen a decline in the quality and originality of his work in recen More...
Mar 08, 2010
Susan
rated it:
Everett Hitch is the narrator of this story about Virgil Cole and the town of Appaloosa. Virgil personifies the "man of few words," and he and Everett have built an unspoken and effective understanding between them. They hire themselves out as lawmen who take care of the super troublesome element(s) in a town.
They've been hired by the aldermen of Appaloosa to address the behavior of a rancher, Bragg, who thinks that he and his men don't need to pay for any goods or servic More...
They've been hired by the aldermen of Appaloosa to address the behavior of a rancher, Bragg, who thinks that he and his men don't need to pay for any goods or servic More...
Jul 29, 2011
Mirah
rated it:
I saw this movie first and decided to read the book...hoping for some more character development and back story for the characters. I was disappointed. There are very few differences between the book and movie. There are some small plot changes, but nothing that alters the overall story or ending.
If it's possible, I think there was more character development in the movie...and that's not good in my opinion. I liked Everett Hitch and I liked that the story was told from his perspective. More...
If it's possible, I think there was more character development in the movie...and that's not good in my opinion. I liked Everett Hitch and I liked that the story was told from his perspective. More...
Jan 12, 2009
Marla
rated it:
This is western set in the 1880's. It is about two friends Virgil and Everett who work for hire getting rid of thieves in the untamed west. They are called to the town of Appaloosa to try and get rid of a corrupt rancher, who wants to own the town and the people in the town. He takes what he wants with no respect for the law, having killed the sheriff and a deputy. Women in this book do not have a good image. Allie French comes to town and becomes a very manipulative woman, who tries to com
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Aug 14, 2009
Joy
rated it:
It was very nice to read a Parker book again, although
his westerns are not my favorites. This was the first in
a series of three. I had read the other two, but each
can stand alone, although there are continuing characters. The book was a reminder that I'm glad we
now have more accountability for law enforcement people.
Too much responsibility was left to the character of the individuals. Virgil Cole's love for Allie wears a bit thin. She was not deserving of him. More...
his westerns are not my favorites. This was the first in
a series of three. I had read the other two, but each
can stand alone, although there are continuing characters. The book was a reminder that I'm glad we
now have more accountability for law enforcement people.
Too much responsibility was left to the character of the individuals. Virgil Cole's love for Allie wears a bit thin. She was not deserving of him. More...
Feb 05, 2009
Taking a break from his long-running series of Spenser novels, Parker moseys back to the Old West. He's eyed this back-acre before in Gunman's Rhapsody, a fictionalization of the Wyatt Earp story, but critics feel Appaloosas original plot allows him more room to develop his trademark themes of personal honor and masculine camaraderie. With sharp dialogue and a plot that "gallops to a perfect, almost mythical ending," it's clear that Parker can swap genres and not lose a step (St. Pet
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Jan 29, 2011
Sarah
rated it:
I started listening to this book on cassette. Yes, I know it's 2011, but some people have older cars with cassette players. Anyways, the last tape would not play, so I finished it the old-fashioned way: by reading. The audio narrator, Titus Welliver, was perfect for the part of Everett Hitch because his voice was low, and a little raspy, which made him perfect for a lawman of the Old West. It took me a little while to get my hands on the book, but his voice was still in my head. I'm glad he
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Nov 19, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
Hawk and Spenser - er, Virgil and Hitch - tame the frontier in this, Parker's second foray into the Western genre. Thankfully, it's far more successful than the steaming pile of cowchips that was Gunman's Rhapsody, despite being slightly derivative (Hitch has a resume that reads more than a bit like Wyatt Earp's, and Virgil - well, he was an Earp brother, too). Throw in a couple of doughnuts and you could just as easily be reading a Spenser novel, but Parker's laconic style of man-wit translate
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Jan 31, 2009
Erin
rated it:
I saw the movie with Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris a few months ago and, since I'm going through a phase where I'm obsessively reading Westerns, I figured I'd give the book a shot. The movie is an incredibly faithful adaptation. If I didn't know better, I might think the book is the novelization of the movie, just because the movie nailed it so well, right down to the characters and the pacing. I enjoyed the book, but I wish I'd read it before I saw the movie, because I think it lost something b
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Jan 31, 2010
Ben
rated it:
Hard to be critical of a fellow who just died, but here's my review.
This novel had its moments, but it was ultimately unsatisfying. The end stretched the character of Cole a bit too far to be believable. As a whole, I felt as if Parker channeled Elmore Leonard heavily throughout the entire read, but where Leonard would let a scene explain things or let the action speak for itself, Parker tacked on dialogue and lost the subtle touch. He beat you over the head with things a few times an More...
This novel had its moments, but it was ultimately unsatisfying. The end stretched the character of Cole a bit too far to be believable. As a whole, I felt as if Parker channeled Elmore Leonard heavily throughout the entire read, but where Leonard would let a scene explain things or let the action speak for itself, Parker tacked on dialogue and lost the subtle touch. He beat you over the head with things a few times an More...
Oct 04, 2009
Villager
rated it:
I listened to this as a book-on-tape during a roundtrip from Cincinnati to Detroit. The odd thing was that I saw the movie (with Ed Harris, Viggo Mortensen and Renée Zellweger) earlier this year ... but, didn't realize until the very end of the book that it was the same as the movie. I'm not sure what that says about my powers of memory or observation ... but, I did enjoy the book (and the movie). I enjoy Westerns ... a legacy from my father. I also enjoyed the two main characters in this
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Sep 01, 2009
Kim
rated it:
A fast and fun Western with some snappy lines. An interesting twist on the partnership/buddy novels of this genre. A good, quick read for anyone who liked the movie or who enjoys Westerns in general.
Warning though, the typography and page layout are pretty horrible - the margins and spacing are huge, and the "trilogy" could have easily been published as one normal sized book, rather than three spaced out, funny-sized paperbacks.
If you're looking for a longe More...
Warning though, the typography and page layout are pretty horrible - the margins and spacing are huge, and the "trilogy" could have easily been published as one normal sized book, rather than three spaced out, funny-sized paperbacks.
If you're looking for a longe More...
Mar 17, 2011
Dave
rated it:
Book 1 in The Virgil Cole/Everett Hitch Western Novels. I really enjoyed the whole series but I'm sure it's not for everyone. I like the old fashioned values Virgil and Everett display like loyalty, trying to be on the right side of things and the courage to stay with their convictions no matter the cost to themselves. I can't get enough of these characters but the author, Robert Parker passed away not long after righting the Blue Eyed Devil, the fourth book in the series. If you like your lead
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Aug 31, 2011
Dorsi
rated it:
I don't really read too many westerns but I recently read A Congregation of Jackals & really liked it, so I thought I'd give this one a shot. Robert B. Parker seems to be a popular author. This was okay but I didn't love it. I liked the characters but the story seemed pretty cliche, a typical western story without much originality. I actually listened to this during my commute to work. It ended somewhat cliffhanger style so I may get the next one in the audio version. I have some other books by
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Jan 27, 2009
Stephanie
rated it:
At first I rated this one both "like it" and "not for me" -- but can't do both "not for me" and "read" so I changed it -- now about that not liking thing, I couldn't stop seeing Renee Zellweger as I was reading. Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen I can deal with as recurrent images, but Renee's smirk just didn't work for me, and now I think I should never have watched the movie last week. I am going to read the sequel -- Terry thinks because I have always like
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Jun 22, 2010
Greg of A2
rated it:
Parker really nails the western genre in this book. The fact that he usually writes crime fiction tells you just how great a writer he is. I truly enjoyed the two main characters (Virgil and Everett) and the solid friendship and respect they have for each other. The trust bond between them is a rare thing and necessary in the line of work that they do - Marshalling. The story has its bad guys and shootouts and licentious ladies but for me, its the nearly quiet moments between Virgil and Everett
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Oct 02, 2008
Sophie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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