Western Literature Revived

With Victims of the Sage Claude Stephenson has revisited the country where the original seeds for the wild, wild west novel (and movie) were first planted by Zane Grey.

The experiences of the frontier are more real in this new version, as hopes and dreams are dashed apart and have to be rebuilt from the ashes.

The pioneers portrayed were thoughtful, caring people, who practiced what they preached: Concern for each other, compassion for those less fortunate (though at times it is hard to image folks with more misfortune than these pioneers), and love for learning. They had a deep rooted faith which they lived rather than shouted about, and put new meaning to the saying "I cannot hear what you are saying because your actions are drowning out your words." Their actions showed living values that enabled them to survive and persevere as individuals as well as a group.

Susan was silent. Beth reached over and squeezed her hand. A silent understanding flowed between them. "I was just remembering my babies," Susan said. "They become a part of your very soul, don’t they? I don’t know how it affects the men, exactly. They tend to hold more inside. But I know Jake is hurting, too. I saw it when he found Red Fox after nearly 20 years. He had never said much about his living with the Indians. He had only told me he spent some years living with the Indians and they were some of the happiest days of his life. He said there he got to know little boys and learn to play and teach them things. When Red rode up to us down at Carter’s, it was like a son coming home to him. He had tears running down his face as he hugged those boys. Then I understood why he would never brook any body saying something bad about the Indians."

The book deals with life and its entire range of vicissitudes. Love, hope, selflessness, and compassion are set in juxtaposition with hate, despair, selfishness, and bigotry.

Victims of the Sage makes a good Christmas gift for those who like to read.

The book is available Barns & Noble, Amazon, Borders.com, and from this link: http://outskirtspress.com/webpage.php?ISBN=9781432702861