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Canyon Passage
Canyon Passage is one of the most famed novels of the West from the pen of Ernest Haycox. It is the powerful story of men drunk with gold fever, men who fought the land and one another to gouge riches from the mountain wilderness, and the story, too, of the women they loved along the way... From the time it first appeared as a serial, blazing from the pages of the Saturday Evening Post, and later as an enormously successful movie, CANYON PASSAGE has been a bestseller among the great Western sagas.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1945
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 27, 2020
Oregon, 1850.
Bajo una lluvia torrencial, los habitantes de la pequeña población de Jacksonville: buscadores de oro, agricultores y nuevos colonos, luchan por salir adelante. Logan Stuart, dueño de una sociedad de transporte, es uno de ellos. Ambicioso e intrépido, Logan es junto a su amigo George Camrose, el banquero, uno de los hombres más respetados de la joven población.
Las condiciones de vida no son fáciles. Las rencillas están a la orden del día y la paz con los indios está sustentada en un frágil equilibrio...Ante esta situación, Logan y los hombres y mujeres que le acompañan intentan hacer prevalecer la honradez y la justicia.
'Canyon Passage' es un western atípico con el que he disfrutado de lo lindo. Aquí no hay cowboys, ni ganaderos, ni duelos de pistola, sino el retrato de una pequeña comunidad, que lucha por sobrevivir en el todavía salvaje estado de Oregon. Se celebran nuevos matrimonios; las familias construyen nuevas cabañas; algunos buscadores de oro dan con la pepita soñada y, mientras, los pequeños comercios prosperan.
Es este retrato cotidiano lo que me ha cautivado.
No es fácil encontrar un western que capture con tal perfección los anhelos y desvelos de esos pioneros que llegaron a su destino tras un viaje lleno de dificultades. Un western que esboce el retrato intimista de gentes sencillas que luchan por consolidar lo poco adquirido; y de esas más ambiciosas siempre deseosas de doblar lo ya ganado.
La codicia, la lealtad, el amor y la venganza se suceden entre las páginas de 'Canyon Passage' de forma magistral, y sus carismáticos personajes resultan irresistibles. Nada sobra y nada falta. Además me ha encantado el protagonismo que las mujeres tienen en la historia, con Lucy y Caroline a la cabeza.
No quiero desvelaros gran cosa de la trama, pero un robo, un asesinato y un ajuste de cuentas precipitan los acontecimientos de la novela. Mientras, entre tanto odio, florece una tierna historia de amor: la de Logan por Lucy, la prometida de su mejor amigo...
Bajo una lluvia torrencial, los habitantes de la pequeña población de Jacksonville: buscadores de oro, agricultores y nuevos colonos, luchan por salir adelante. Logan Stuart, dueño de una sociedad de transporte, es uno de ellos. Ambicioso e intrépido, Logan es junto a su amigo George Camrose, el banquero, uno de los hombres más respetados de la joven población.
Las condiciones de vida no son fáciles. Las rencillas están a la orden del día y la paz con los indios está sustentada en un frágil equilibrio...Ante esta situación, Logan y los hombres y mujeres que le acompañan intentan hacer prevalecer la honradez y la justicia.
'Canyon Passage' es un western atípico con el que he disfrutado de lo lindo. Aquí no hay cowboys, ni ganaderos, ni duelos de pistola, sino el retrato de una pequeña comunidad, que lucha por sobrevivir en el todavía salvaje estado de Oregon. Se celebran nuevos matrimonios; las familias construyen nuevas cabañas; algunos buscadores de oro dan con la pepita soñada y, mientras, los pequeños comercios prosperan.
Es este retrato cotidiano lo que me ha cautivado.
No es fácil encontrar un western que capture con tal perfección los anhelos y desvelos de esos pioneros que llegaron a su destino tras un viaje lleno de dificultades. Un western que esboce el retrato intimista de gentes sencillas que luchan por consolidar lo poco adquirido; y de esas más ambiciosas siempre deseosas de doblar lo ya ganado.
La codicia, la lealtad, el amor y la venganza se suceden entre las páginas de 'Canyon Passage' de forma magistral, y sus carismáticos personajes resultan irresistibles. Nada sobra y nada falta. Además me ha encantado el protagonismo que las mujeres tienen en la historia, con Lucy y Caroline a la cabeza.
No quiero desvelaros gran cosa de la trama, pero un robo, un asesinato y un ajuste de cuentas precipitan los acontecimientos de la novela. Mientras, entre tanto odio, florece una tierna historia de amor: la de Logan por Lucy, la prometida de su mejor amigo...
December 24, 2016
I started reading Ernest Haycox's novels because I loved the movie version of Canyon Passage (1947, directed by Jacques Tourneur, starring Dana Andrews, Brian Donleavy and Susan Hayward.) The movie was an exceptionally faithful adaptation of the novel and the actors (especially Andrews) were brilliant at showing the inner thoughts of the characters so in a way I felt that I was rereading Canyon Passage rather than reading it for the first time. Very well-written, with a depth of characterization and an interesting and unusual setting. I can recommend both the book and the wonderful film!
November 24, 2016
An old (1945) classic western that was made into a movie in 1947 with Dana Andrews, Brian Donlevy, Susan Hayward and Ward Bond. This book has everything: a love story, a brutal savage bad guy, an untrustworthy friend, a crooked gambler, marauding Indians, a kangaroo courtroom trial and much more. They simply don't write westerns this good anymore, especially with the passing of Kelton and L'Amour. Highly recommended to western fans and anyone else who likes a good action story.
February 2, 2015
A really good read. At first I had a little trouble reading it since I was expecting a Louis L'Amour novel. The grammar, sentence structure, and rhythm are totally different. Actually I plan to read all 40 of the Haycox novels and let Louis rest for a while.
Read and see what a great story it is. Girls, Gold, Gunfights
Read and see what a great story it is. Girls, Gold, Gunfights
January 7, 2010
Moody and meaty western in the tradition of the psychological novel. Lacks the action of say, Larry McMurtry. Was a movie with Susan Hayward, Dana Andrews, and Lloyd bridges. Haycox was a prolific writer of classic westerns, some of which were made into famous movies.
June 14, 2015
This was my second book by Haycox and just like the first book, the first half was a drag then the last part was great. a five star great.
September 26, 2022
Terrific little western-- the basis for the Jacques Tourneur masterpiece (and one of my all time favorites).
The film follows the book very closely, the major narrative strokes, the themes, the essence, it's all there. The biggest difference between the two is compression. The film version moves so fast compared to the novel; most scenes are condensed, some are combined with others, and a few are cut out entirely. (A lot of the dialogue was lifted directly from it but some lines and major reveals are shuffled around in the film). While the novel isn't very long there is more plot.
In a sense, the characters are more fleshed out in the book, especially the supporting characters. ( In fact a subplot involving the potential romance between two supporting characters is cut out from the movie entirely. I'm sure for brevity). Obviously in a book it's much easier to flesh out characters through internal dialogue and description. At the same time, I think the omissions make the film more interesting and little more successful than the novel. Aside from brevity, it's clear that Tourneur and co trust their audience to make certain connections between characters and draw their own conclusions. This, along with the decision to have seemingly important events happen unceremoniously off screen, make the film version more subtle and more mysterious. In the book, the homestretch of the narrative (involving the indigenous uprising) is more drawn out while the film version is abrupt and jarring. The same things happen in both but I think the film's version is more powerful. This also goes for the ending. The book is more open and shut and everything neatly resolved. In the movie, even though things do get wrapped up, there's still a lingering unsettledness and ambivalence. Again, I think this is partly due to the fact that the film cuts out a bunch of the plot and downplays certain developments and relationships.
The film follows the book very closely, the major narrative strokes, the themes, the essence, it's all there. The biggest difference between the two is compression. The film version moves so fast compared to the novel; most scenes are condensed, some are combined with others, and a few are cut out entirely. (A lot of the dialogue was lifted directly from it but some lines and major reveals are shuffled around in the film). While the novel isn't very long there is more plot.
In a sense, the characters are more fleshed out in the book, especially the supporting characters. ( In fact a subplot involving the potential romance between two supporting characters is cut out from the movie entirely. I'm sure for brevity). Obviously in a book it's much easier to flesh out characters through internal dialogue and description. At the same time, I think the omissions make the film more interesting and little more successful than the novel. Aside from brevity, it's clear that Tourneur and co trust their audience to make certain connections between characters and draw their own conclusions. This, along with the decision to have seemingly important events happen unceremoniously off screen, make the film version more subtle and more mysterious. In the book, the homestretch of the narrative (involving the indigenous uprising) is more drawn out while the film version is abrupt and jarring. The same things happen in both but I think the film's version is more powerful. This also goes for the ending. The book is more open and shut and everything neatly resolved. In the movie, even though things do get wrapped up, there's still a lingering unsettledness and ambivalence. Again, I think this is partly due to the fact that the film cuts out a bunch of the plot and downplays certain developments and relationships.
November 30, 2024
This is a good western that is easy to see why a movie was made of it. I liked the largeness of it. I felt like I was reading a story that was hard to put down. I would recommend it to everybody.
November 16, 2023
A Romantic Western
This story is set in the 1850's in the Oregon territory. Now to some this would not be a Western, but it is just a different kind of Western. There is more of a personal side to this story as the characters have to deal with conflicts that affect their lives. These conflicts involve how far one will go to protect a friend, what to do about a wrong that you know just be righted, and of course that love triangle. This was a good story with strong characters in it that hold your interest as you read it. I have only one problem with this book and that is a misspelling that appears several times in this book and in several other books by this author. The misspelling just pops up in the story and makes no sense as it is the same misspelling Every time your guess as to what is supposed to be or why it shows up like it does. But despite this problem I still will give this story a 5star review, because I liked the story.
This story is set in the 1850's in the Oregon territory. Now to some this would not be a Western, but it is just a different kind of Western. There is more of a personal side to this story as the characters have to deal with conflicts that affect their lives. These conflicts involve how far one will go to protect a friend, what to do about a wrong that you know just be righted, and of course that love triangle. This was a good story with strong characters in it that hold your interest as you read it. I have only one problem with this book and that is a misspelling that appears several times in this book and in several other books by this author. The misspelling just pops up in the story and makes no sense as it is the same misspelling Every time your guess as to what is supposed to be or why it shows up like it does. But despite this problem I still will give this story a 5star review, because I liked the story.
February 28, 2023
To me, Ernest Haycox, though less well known, is the Dean of the writers of the Western genre. Louis L’Amour probably comes the closest to his stature and ability. Zane Grey doesn’t quite have his level of feeling for the people and country. Haycox has a great love and understanding of the culture, history, and people of the western frontier, especially the Pacific Northwest. He also spins a good yarn filled with human emotion, frailties, strengths, and character. This is a great book set in frontier Oregon by a western writer who knew Oregon history intimately. His character development is exceptional and the story is intriguing, gritty, and real. You care about the main characters and their relationships. Readers who are limited by presentism may not appreciate it as much as historical realists.
March 1, 2026
Fue como un paseo a la vida de esta gente, realmente me sorprendió el trato a la mujer en este libro, muy bueno para la época tal vez? no se les prohíbe sentir y no se ve el sentimiento como fallo, ni a los hombres se prohíbe de esto. Me gustó el final, bien cerrado. También me gustó que lo que les pasa a los personajes es verdaderamente consecuencia de sus actos, y puedo ver en la realidad algunas ideas. Muy buenl
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews