Jory

Jory #1

by Milton R. Bass

Jory was fifteen when he got his first gun and learned how to use it. For a lot of tough hombres there wasn't a place in the West where they could run or hide from this avenger.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 5, 1987

About the author

Milton Ralph Bass was born in and raised Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1923. He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts in 1947 and a master’s in English from Smith College in 1948.

During World War II, he served in the army as a medic. After the war, he became a columnist and entertainer editor for the Berkshire Eagle. In 1986, he retired from The Berkshire Eagle after 35 years as entertainment editor, theater and movie critic; however, both Milton and his wife, Ruth, continued to write columns for the Eagle. Their son, Michael Bass, a former executive producer of the "Today Show," is the co-executive producer of Katie's Couric's talk show, "Katie."

Reviews

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew growing up that this was part of a series or I would have sought out more. I read it in high school. I remember a friend pointing it out to me because it had a "sex" scene in it. Whooo! But it was a good story in spite of that.

Merged review:

My first introduction to this book was in High school when someone showed it to me because it had a fairly explicit sex scene. Later I read the whole thing and thought it was really outstanding. The sex scene isn't much but the story is excellent.

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would like to read this one again. For about the fourth time. A humorous western, a spoof.
***
The library's copy was a 1969 hardcover published by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
It has numerous readers' 'brands' on the end papers. The old-timers library readers tended to leave a mark to remind themselves they had read the book. This old print veteran has been to the bindery, so it probably lost many such markers when it was repackaged.
***
Jacket description :

"This fresh, funny, and fascinating escapades of a mild-mannered fifteen-year-old boy whose extraordinary talent for gunmanship makes him the fastest, deadliest-and most unusual-gunslinger any reader has ever met.

"This highly original first novel introduces one of the most engaging characters in contemporary fiction-a Huckleberry Finn with six-shooter instead of fishing pole. Well mannered, well meaning, and industrious, Jory is a typical small-town boy of the 1870s until-at age of fourteen-he bashes in the head of the man who kicked his besodden, but beloved, father to death in a barroom fracas.

"Taken in by the kindly couple who owns the livery stable where he works, the orphan has to flee this happy home to escape the wrathful father of a girl who attempted to initiate him in the ways of love. When Jory joins a horse drive to Texas and straps on a six-shooter for the first time, something magical happens. He discovers what many villainous men and larcenous Indians will soon learn to their misfortune-that he is a natural fast-draw artist with either hand or both, and a good shot to boot ..."

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific book. I read this because the author is married to a friend of my mom's from college - my mom likely forgot about the (for its time) explicit sex scene when she suggested I read it (as a teenager). I was enthralled with the main character and his story and plan to read it again - as will my daughter!

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had almost forgotten I read this, probably about 1970. I have to laugh when I read the other reviews and so many of them mention the "sex scene" -- I guess at 16 that was a rare thing for me to run across. I remember liking the book overall, although I might have to find it and read it again to give it a thorough review.

[Michael Wilmot · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this when I was to young to know or want to know anything about girls and all that mushy stuff and I remember skipping over that stuff to get to the action parts. I read it later as a teen and did an "a-ha!" rediscovery of the sex parts. I did enjoy both reads though.

[John Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written coming of age western, my paperback edition was marketed to cash in on True Grit's bestsellerdom. Interestingly, it launched a series of "Jory" westerns by Bass. Also inspired a forgotten Robby Benson western that I haven't seen.

[Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this wonderful book many years ago. I've wanted to re read it and the rest of the series. Now I can.
The book is an eloquent symphony of action/adventure and humor. Jory is a unique character. Mostly boy and partly man.
It is more than just a coming of age book; it is the story of the beginning of Jory's growing up. Through the story he is only 15 years old, with the actions of a grown man.

[Bob Box · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read in 1973. A forgotten book of the 70's. What it is?

[Soc Page]

porn scene