Hondo (Louis L'Amour's Lost Treasures): A Novel

I had a classic case of 'seen the movie, but never read the book' and wanted to correct that. I'm very happy that I did.Because this book was written 80 or so years ago, some things work for modern readers and other don't, which is certainly to be expected. The descriptions are detailed and transport the reader to the location, and for me were the highlight of the book. I felt like I could hear the whispering willows, and burbling creek, and could feel the sun on my back as sweat ran down my house. The descriptions are fantastic, but never overly done. They truly are magical.The action is tamed compared to modern day, as is the love story with Mrs. Lowe. I thought Ed Lowe was very well written, as was Hondo Lane, but Angie felt a bit cookie cutter, which likely has more to do with the way women are portrayed in the story. Angie is a homemaker with a backbone, yet still gets all the meals on the table and protects her son like any good mother should do.Vittoro and the Apaches are written as honorable and intelligent men who know the country, with the exception of Silva.Overall, I highly recommend this book. It's fantastic, both as a look back into 40's Western novels, and as fantastic book on its own. Very well done, and I'm glad I had the chance to read it.5/5*

We don't usually get movies that are respectful of the novel they came from, but this is one of those rare gems! Obviously there were some killings better described in the book than splashed across the big screen but, overall, John Wayne's Hondo Lane was true to the author's original depiction.This was my first Louis L'Amour novel and, even though I've seen the movie many times, I have never felt the sun on my face, felt the sand and grit of the ride, or felt the fear of invisible Apaches hidden all around as Louis L'Amour was able to conjure! Remarkable to have joined the real Hondo on his journeys! John Wayne did a great job (always!) but my mind's eye did not picture him as I read this book. Hondo was his own man, unique but yet familiar. With few exceptions the script writers for the movie had easy work lifting all the significant dialogue directly from the book.If you too have seen the film and think there's no reason to read the book? Do yourself a favor and think again! It's worth it to feel the wind in your hair while riding with Hondo! What a great character he is! There's lots for all of us to learn from him! Yes, highly recommended!👉❤👈

Recently I noticed that many of the movie westerns that I really liked were based on Louis L'Amour stories. I decided to give his novels a try to see I I liked them too, and to see how they compared to the movies that I had seen. So far I have only read Hondo and Crossfire Trail. I haven't seen the John Wayne Hondo that I remember anyway. So it will be done in the other order.I can see why L'Amour is and has been so popular. His writing is clear and precise. It is very strong in visual imagery. It is also very easy to read. He seems to have followed Sam Clemens' advice to "Always use the right word - not it's second cousin." Nor is does he seem fond of words that are longer than are needed to say what he has to say.I would not call either of the books I have read so far great literature. But they are very good, entertaining stories that hook you fast and hold you tight until you finish them.They are from another time with respect to the attitude toward women, but nor regressive within the context of the time L'Amour wrote them, and certainly not within the historical periods the stories reflect.I surely do not regret the time I spent reading them -- lots of fun.

Hondo was a great reread. I’ve read the story before, back in the 80’s or 90’s. I used to read a lot of Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey. This year I’ve been buying audiobooks so I can listen to their stories while I’m driving.The story is told third person past tense from multiple points of view, Hondo Lane, Mrs. Angie Lowe, Lt. Creyton C. Davis, Major Sherry, El Lowe, Sergeant Young, and even the dog’s, Sam’s, point of view. The only criticism I can think of is the way they fistfight in the story. If you’ve seen an old western you’ll know what I’m talking about. The good guy always drags the bad guy to his feet before punching him again. In the real world most people would stomp the crap out of anybody after knocking them down so they couldn’t get back up.About half of the time I read everything from nonfiction to westerns. The other half of the time I read sci-fi and fantasy, when I’m not watching sci-fi and fantasy series.Sci-fi and fantasy authors I like include Douglas Adams, Taylor Anderson, Isaac Asimov, Paolo Bacigalupi, Ray Bradbury, Jack Campbell, Orson Scott Card, Arthur C. Clarke, Earnest Cline, Suzanne Collins, Abe Evergreen, Diana Galbadon, William R. Forstchen, Joe Haldeman, Robert A. Heinlein, Frank Herbert, Hugh Howey, George Martin, Larry Niven, Andre Norton, George Orwell, Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, John Scalzi, John Steakley, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Andy Weir.Starship Troopers (1959) (not like the movie) by Robert A. Heinlein is the book that got me started in sci-fi adventures, and has remained one of my top five favorite military science fiction adventure stories for decades. The Forever War (1974) by Joe Haldeman, Armor (1984) by John Steakley, Ender’s Game (1985) by Orson Scott Card, and Old Man’s War (2005) by John Scalzi, round out my top five military sci-fi adventure stories.

These stories are classic stories that my dad has Bern reading since I was a small child (I'm now in my 40s). I purchase a book as often as I can and have it mailed to him to let him know I'm thinking about him.

Every story Mr. L'Amour wrote was filled with history, romance, action, teachable moments, survival skills and this book is his personal stamp of outdoor experiences and storytelling skills.

Hondo is one of L louis L,Amour,s best a really good read for western readers. You are really spoilt with the amount of books by the author

Il est triste de voir cet auteur qui n'a pas compulsé des livres sérieux comme Morris Opler, Angie Debo, Sweeney ou Halsey, sinon il n'écrivait pas ces idioties sur les Apaches, surtout Chiricahuas, ou Mescaleros...Contrairement à ce qui est écrit dans ce livre, il n'y avait pas de cérémonies de "frère de sang", avec incision du pouce, etc...C'est une mauvaise invention! En plus Victorio (Biduah) et non Vittoro et les autres avec des scalps fait sourire quand on sait la peur que transmettaient les cadavres envers ces Apaches...Il arrivait parfois qu'ils prennent un scalp mais il y avait ensuite une cérémonie de purification, l'auteur donne des traits des Indiens des Plaines à ces Apaches, ce qui est une grossière erreur....Pareil pour le comptage des coups sur les blessés ou les morts, c'est un trait des Indiens des Plaines, pas des Apaches...

This book is worth it

I really enjoyed this book ,particularly the main character who in my opinion soon became a super hero. An easy read!