Dark Thicket (Texas Tradition Series)

by Elmer Kelton, Laurie Champion (Afterword)

In this novel, first published by Doubleday in 1985, Texas novelist Elmer Kelton returns to the Civil War period, once again examining, as he first did in Texas Rifles , the effect of the war on Texans at home. Even while the conflict raged to the east, several groups of Texan Union loyalists hid out across the state, trying to avoid the anger and violence of the confederate-sympathizing “home guard.”

Kelton bases this story on a group who lived in a then-huge thicket on the Colorado River near present-day Columbus, although the characters, incidents and town of the book are of Kelton’s invention. As he always says, fiction writers are liars and thieves. Owen Danforth, a wounded Confederate soldier, comes home to Texas to recover, intending to return to his regiment. His family is torn apart by the war—two brothers dead, one uncle, a Union sympathizer, shot in the back by the home guard. His father—also a Unionist—hides out in the thicket with his remaining family because the home guard, led by “Captain” Phineas Shattuck, has sworn revenge on the Danforth clan. Torn between duty and family loyalty, Owen Danforth faces difficult decisions until a violent encounter leaves him only one choice.

Genres: Westerns, Fiction

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Elmer Kelton (1926-2009) was award-winning author of more than forty novels, including The Time It Never Rained, Other Men’s Horses, Texas Standoff and Hard Trail to Follow. He grew up on a ranch near Crane, Texas, and earned a journalism degree from the University of Texas. His first novel, Hot Iron, was published in 1956. Among his awards have been seven Spurs from Western Writers of America and four Western Heritage awards from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. His novel The Good Old Boys was made into a television film starring Tommy Lee Jones. In addition to his novels, Kelton worked as an agricultural journalist for 42 years. He served in the infantry in World War II. He died in 2009.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/elmerk...

Reviews

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good western of young confederate returning to Texas wounded, hoping to get better so he can rejoin his company. He finds his home in Texas under siege from the "home guard" who are using the war as an opportunity to steal land. The young soldier gets drawn into this struggle even though it might be considered treasoness. Of course he stops the n'er-do-wells and finds a right purty girl to fall in love with. If you haven't read Kelton you should. He's the best.

[Sandra Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love an Elmer Kelton story! This was a great blend of story and history tied up in a novella. It is also a story line I like and include in my own stories: the painful cracks in family and friendships brought on by our differences and allegiances. Mr. Kelton told this tale through relatable characters in a place touched by few battles of the Civil War but by the division of a nation torn in two. Sadly, it seems things never change.

[James · Rating 1 out of 5]

The protagonist was foolish to the point of endangering everyone around him and seemed to not be able to help himself from making more trouble for everyone in the area than was necessary or even believable.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elmer Kelton wrote so well that I never feel like I am reading a genre novel when I read his westerns. This one is set in Texas at the end of the Civil War when everyone was still testy about which side they were on. Kelton paints a good picture of how difficult it would have been to live in this time period. Most enjoyable.

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dark Thicket, Elmer Kelton (western)
Jeff Book Review #283

In 1985's "Dark Thicket," a wounded Confederate soldier named Owen Danforth is sent home to Texas to convalesce when he finds that his father and uncle, who were outspoken against secession, are being hounded and subjected to thievery by some local bullies who are supposedly looking for deserters.

Verdict: Most of the tension and drama in this one is driven by conversations, blamings, defensive responses to accusations, politics about the Civil War, attempts at convincing people that they are really on their team, and similar boring exposition. I hated this one.

Jeff's Rating: 1 / 5 (Bad)
movie rating if made into a movie: PG

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small paperback book that can be read in an afternoon; just the right size to stow in a travel bag. This story is about the war between the north and south for people in the small towns and on their ranches in Texas. Owen goes off to fight for the south but his father and others are for the north. He is wounded and goes home on sick leave, only to find that bad guys have their own ideas about taking over under the guise of being union sympathizers. Would make a good movie.

[Markkorth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Kelton story. He has the ability to find stories that others don’t see to tell. This one about the family and community tensions existing at the end of the civil war. The protagonists, this time Owen, balance being human with real failings with being honest and determined enough to be characters you identify with and pull for.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another little Western to keep in the car and read while waiting at appointments. The books have very little romance in them which makes me like them even more. This one is set in Texas during the Civil War. It is a captivating story, you wish the book was longer. All in all, not a bad read.

[~☆~Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This hero is too nice so I want to smack him. He always does the right thing even tho the villain is especially vicious. I can't stand these type of books and hope to avoid them. I guess the poor hero has an IQ of about 80 and so plods along being a really nice guy.

[James Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Kelton's books.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

nothing special about this book, just ok. I know Kelton can do so much better so will go on to the other 8 book I have by him.

[Weisser · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story. Good vs evil, right and wrong, innate goodness and inherent evil. Not that deep but you get the point. White hats vs black hats.

[Johnnie Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is okay for a western. A little on the really, that would have happened? But, entertaining enough.

[nithya :)]

so I just remembered I technically wrote fanfiction for this with a whole alternate ending angsty romance arc (with illustrations too??) for 7th grade english

[Michael Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great western/ Civil War story. Kelton never fails to entertain.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read. Interesting subject. A wounded confederate returns home to conflict with home guard taking advantage of new found power.

[Pat Braun · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well told story from the old west that goes into detail about the struggle among families and communities at the end of the Civil War.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual the author Elmer Kelton turns in a good story. He was voted one of the best Western writers ever. In some ways I agree and in some ways I don't, as I would probably give the edge to another famous author Louis Lamour. No doubt Kelton can spin a good yarn, but after reading many of his books, they all seem to be somewhat familar. This one is no different with the setting taking place in Texas, during the civil war nearing towards it's end, and involving a young soldier Owen Danforth. Owen finds himself caught in a quandry, involving his duty with the Confederates, and his family/friends who are dividied with the war. Probably a typical dilema back in those days during the civil war when brother fought against brother. As most of Kelton's stories it is a quick read and not without suspense and did find the pages going by quickly. I would have rated it higher had it not been for the familiarity of which he writes, almost seemed as if I had read it before, almost knowing how it would end.

[Megargee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good stand alone western/historical novel as only Elmer Kelton can write them. Late in the War Between the States , Owen Danforth, a young Rebel veteran, returns home to East Texas to recuperate from a battle wound. He finds his father and uncle, both of whom remained loyal to the Union, beset by villanous Confederate "home guards" who never served and are out to steal their farms and livestock before the war ends, killing his kinfolks if necessary. Does Owen stand with his family, even if it means being accused of desertion and treason?

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

One of my favorite historical fiction books, set in the Civil War.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Owen Danforth is wounded fighting for the Confederacy and is sent home to recuperate. A former pig thief who now comands the home guard confiscates his horse. and is trying to destroy all the unionist in the area of East Texas. Owen's father and uncle are unionist who aid Confederate deserters. Despite his best intentions Owen is drawn into the conflict as he rescues a uniionist girl and her mother.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard copy