Cloudy in the West
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4.5 • 20 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
“One of the best of a new breed of Western writers who have driven the genre into new territroy.” —The New York Times
From the award-winning western writer Elmer Kelton comes a Cloudy in the West
In the Texas backlands in 1885, twelve-year-old Joey Shipman's father dies under mysterious circumstances, and the boy is forced to live with his stepmother and Blair Meacham, a hanger-on at the farm. After the death of a black farmhand and friend, and another "accident" that almost takes Joey's life, the boy runs away and joins forces with his only kin--Beau Shipman, a drunk and a jailbird. Beau, along with an outlaw, a San Antonio prostitute, and a sheepman, become Joey's unlikely partners as he is trailed by their murderous Meacham , in league with Joey's stepmother in their scheme to inherit the Shipman farm.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kelton's 35th novel (after The Pumpkin Rollers) is a clever western about a 12-year-old boy on the run from the law in 1885 Texas. Young Joey Shipman has more troubles than Custer. His Pa dies suddenly, leaving him at the mercy of his bitter, scheming stepmother and her murderous bedmate, the vile Blair Meacham, who wants to kill Joey to inherit the ranch. Joey runs away to find his only true kin, his black-sheep older cousin Beau, a drunken drifter. Beau and Joey make unlikely saddle partners, constantly bickering until they encounter Meacham, who has tracked them down and tries to kill them, only to be left for dead himself. Taking to the trail, the young men roam Texas, dodging Rangers, tangling with a notorious outlaw and picking up a hardboiled female traveling companion. Finally worn down by fatigue and remorse, they and their companion return to Joey's ranch to face the law. A showdown between Joey and his would-be killers proves that revenge truly can be sweet. It is easy to see why Kelton, who wrote his first western 40 years ago, has won six Spur Awards. His characters and narrative are colorful and well-defined, his plotting is taut and suspenseful--and Joey is one of his best creations yet.
Customer Reviews
Cloudy in the West
Great story with historical facts woven in. Texas history in a fictional setting keeps a Texan looking for landmarks he might recognize. The coming of age of a young boy in a wild Texas frontier reminds us of our own upbringing with its ups and downs. Right comes out on top in the end and opens the door of the mind to other adventures.
Elmer Kelton caught my attention with a book about the long drought in West Texas with his book "The Time it Never Rained", and I have been hooked ever since.
Kelton is a great story teller of things a Texan loves.
Cloudy in the West
Elmer Kelton was one of America's great authors and this book stands as testimony to his wonderful gift. With that said I must protest this attempt at converting the book into its digital format. The misspelled words were a terrible distraction, and they were incredibly numerous. As only one example the word "barn" appears as "bam." This is an embarrassment! Kelton would be so disappointed.