Three Stories, Three Times

Three stories from three different times. A look at the styles and stories of each.

Recently I suggested that an interesting idea would be to read three books from different eras and write on what was similar and different. Over the past couple of months I have been slowly reading my chosen three books.  The first was a Ned Buntline story, "Hazel Eyes, Girl Trapper", the second was "Man from Padera" by Rory Calhoun and the most recent, "Blood Debt" by S. J. Stewart.

I enjoyed all three books. The stories were nicely plotted with interesting characters. The key for me was the execution of the plots and character development.  I will tell you up front, I an partial to characters who are well developed and whose back story is told sparingly, yet competently.

The Buntline book, although written in the style of the 1800's was a fun story. I can see how his readers were enthralled with the stories he wrote.  It kept me turning the pages, although I had an idea how the mystery was going to be resolved.  The other thing I enjoyed about this story was the female of the title was not a simpering female. If anyone has a chance to read the story, it is worth it.

The Calhoun story, "Man from Padera", read like a screenplay, which doesn't surprise me as Calhoun was an actor/producer.  A straight forward story with the standard hero and love interest.  That is not saying it wasn't a fun read, but more a predicable read from the time period. This story was written during the hey day of the Western on screen and television and it shows.

The last book, Stewart's "Blood Debt", was a passing story, enjoyable to read, but not overly surprising. The characters however were nicely drawn and I enjoyed seeing how they would develop. The story had a sort of predicable meter, and an unsurprising ending. Written in the style of the time, not a much setting description, it could really have been anywhere.  One felt that the descriptions were put in to add to the word count, but not necessarily be part of the story.

I think the biggest difference was the use of place to tell the story.  The Buntline story used the setting almost like another character. The Calhoun story use setting as the reason for the story. Stewart's setting was almost an afterthought.  All three stories were fun and a great exercise.

L.P. Holmes book "Singing Wires"

I recently read the L.P. Holmes book "Singing Wires".  Although not my favorite Holmes book, it was still an entertaining read. It was originally a serial and as such the copyright covered the years of 1950-51.  It has recently had the copyright renewed as restored material by Golden West Literary Agency.

The story title "Singing Wires" a Western Story, is about the stringing of the telegraph wire.  The story takes place in Nevada at the end of the Pony Express era. The book begins with Clay Roswell heading to Nevada to work for the Pony Express.  His journey had been interrupted for a year and his arrival coinsides with the ending of the one era and the beginning of another. The interruption plays a big part in the story and is laid out fairly early on.

The book takes you on Clays' journey from one dream to another. Along the way he meets Katherine Casement and her father Jack Casement. The events that lead Clay into Jack's employment are a fun read, as is the meeting between Clay and Katherine or 'Kitts' as she is called in the book.

Of course any book worth reading must have someone for the hero to fight against.  Here there are more than one or two, but the primary opposition to Clay is a gentleman called Reed Owen. This opposition takes many forms from the job to the love of Kitts.

The story involved me in the magnificence of the growth of the west and how each little part led to the greater story. The one thing I love about the author is his use of inner dialogue.  In the case of this book, you are with Clay as he struggles to find his way through the obstacles both outward and inward. It was a journey I enjoyed. 

"Singing Wires" is not a lengthy book, but Holmes puts a lot into a few pages.  The one discordant note that caught me was Holmes idea of a young man.  Roswell is in his mid-twenties.  I find each author has their own idea of what is young or immature.  Perhaps, having read so many coming of age stories in my youth, the age seemed a bit old. Still, overall this offering was enjoyable and fun.

Photo and text copyright 2012 by Doris McCraw