Comments on: The Man Who Wrote the West

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:27:21 +0000

You are so welcome! I actually was all over the place, reading-wise, last night and pulled out a different Gwen Bristow book, “Tomorrow is Forever.” But “Calico Palace” remains an all-time favorite. And if you’re doing something post-gold-rush, it would be great reading for you. Good luck!

By: Elizabeth Lane

Elizabeth Lane — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:21:16 +0000

Calico Palace? Now that one I’ve got to find. I just submitted a proposal set in post-gold-rush San Francisco. If Harlequin buys it, that’ll be a great read for me. Thanks for the suggestion, Liz.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:39:01 +0000

Hope you like it. (And I think “Bonanza” is on one of those oldies television stations, isn’t it? I may have to give it a look to see how it holds up.

And I can’t believe I forgot this one! I suppose it’s more accurate to call it “historical fiction,”but it’s set during the Gold Rush in San Francisco. It’s “Calico Palace” by Gwen Bristow. Love, love, love it. I think it was published in about 1971 or so. My brother found me a hardbound copy of it in great condition a few years ago — I re-read it every year or so.

By: Elizabeth Lane

Elizabeth Lane — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:24:09 +0000

Hmmm. I’ll keep my eyes open for “The Shopkeeper”. It sounds like a good story.
I loved Bonanza, too, Liz. True, it was sanitized but the dramas about family love, conflict and emotion would have worked in many settings. Thanks for your post.

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:16:39 +0000

I’m going to have to go back and take another look at Zane Grey, as someone else posted. “The Shopkeeper,” by James Best is a new Western, not a classic like a L’Amour or Grey, but hugely enjoyable. Steve Dancy is a Western hero women can love, what with being a former city slicker who has to battle it out in old West Nevada.

And while it’s not a book, I can’t believe no one has mentioned “Bonanza!” Sanitized Western, I know, but still — I loved it!