Gone to Texas

by Don Wright

Hardened by the inhumanity of the Civil War, Peyton Lewis and Fletcher Rucker journey through the Texas wilderness in search of a new start, and find two women who join them in their difficult quest

Genres: Historical Fiction

383 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1998

Reviews

[SusanwithaGoodBook]

Yes, this is the second book I've read this year with this title. The first one was basically a history textbook. This one is historical fiction based on actual events and people and places but uses fictional people to tell the story. The main character is a young man who, at the end of the Civil War, decides to make his way to Texas to start a new life with a clean slate. He has been through bloody battles and traumatic situations with his family, so there is no life to return to where he was from before the war. His cousin is in the same situation but hasn't got the same strong backbone. Still, they travel together on a harrowing journey to Texas. They fight nature's elements, criminals, and Indians, plus they meet men and, especially, women who challenge them in unexpected ways.

This is a true adventure story, somewhat in the vein of Louis Lamour or Zane Grey (though I've only read a few of those). There is a bit of romance to it, but I wouldn't really call it a romance. It was hard to put down because there was so much happening and I wasn't sure what would happen next. I can recommend it, but only for those who aren't easily offended by non-pc language and material. This book was written in the 90s so it doesn't fit with some modern sensibilities. I think he captured the world of the post-war West very well, though, so if you want to know how people talked and thought at that time, you should read it.


EDITED TO ADD THIS NOTE: This book really should probably be titled "Going to Texas." It really isn't about life in Texas. It's about people taking the harrowing journey toward Texas and the hardships they faced getting there and surviving the post-war situation. I was a bit disappointed that it didn't cover life in Texas, but it was so good and difficult to put down that I can't really blame him for focusing on the journey.

[Lee]

This book was okay, and easy reading. The plot was predictable though a bit slow.

[Neal Lee]

This was absolutely one of the worst books I have ever read. Horrifically slow, zero character development, and comically predictable at the end. Wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone.

[Sean Best]

A great western, a fun romance, and some shootin. Whats not to like. The characters are pretty straight forward. A good book for anyone who likes westerns mixed with a little romance!