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He rode into our valley in the summer of '89, a slim man, dresses inblack.
"Call me Shane," he said. He never told us more.
There was a deadly calm in the valley that summer, a slow, climbing tension that seemed to focus on Shane.
"There's something about him," Mother said. "Something...dangerous..."
"He's dangerous all right," Father said, "...but not to us..."
"He's like one of these here slow burning fuses," the mule skinner said. Quiet...so quiet you forget it's burning till it sets off a hell of a blow of trouble. And there's trouble brewing."
"TAUT...GRIM...UNFORGETTABLE..."
In the summer of 1889, a mysterious and charismatic man rides into a small Wyoming valley, where he joins homesteaders who take a stand against a bullying cattle rancher, and where he changes the lives of a young boy and his parents.
sunger
Posted April 28, 2009
I Also Recommend:
The author, Jack Schaefer, wrote a novel that every GATE student should read. The book contains a "story within a story", and it takes a great deal of effort to see this.
shane is attempting to change his life, and the difficulties he faces are tremendous. The metaphores used by the author are at first difficult to spot, but with help, students aquire the ability to see the foreshadowing presented in the book.
A must read for students (5th grade and up) and adults.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 14, 2009
Shane is one of the best western novels I have ever read. This story is filled with excitement and thrillig action. This is one of those books that you just don't want to put down, after reading this you'll think I want to be more like Shane. The characters are amazing and very creative and went well with the western genre. This book is for anyone the vocabulary is fairly simple and the organization of this story is superb, The author did an amazing job writing this story. This is one book that I would love to read over and over.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 9, 2009
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I love western stories of all kinds by a variety of authors but in my opinion this is the best western ever written.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 24, 2007
Although often categorized as 'young adult fiction,' Schaefer's first novel was not originally intended as such. Even though thoroughly enjoyable by young adults, it is actually the more mature reader who will likely be struck by the deepest chords the story has to offer. At first reading, it may indeed seem written in an almost over-sentimental, simplistic style. The observant reader, however, will soon realize that it is this very simplicity by which he/she is being drawn into an inescapable emotional experience by a master storyteller. Truly a life-long companion, I first read this novel when I was 12 and have been re-reading it ever since. The film adaptation, as famous as it became and being touted as the 'archetypal blueprint for all Western films that followed,' was painful to watch in contrast with the polar opposite theme of the novel. Stick with the novel, especially if you enjoy the reluctant-warrior motif, regardless of genre. I'm not even a fan of westerns, yet this is one of my favorite novels, as it transcends genre altogether.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 6, 2003
I recomend this book to anyone who reads. My dad read it to me when I was 6 years old now im still reading it at 81! I really don't think there was one bad part. The author exspressed himself in such imoition! You will love this book so read it please!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 15, 2013
My boyfriends name is Shane. He's absolutly wonderful in every way. I love everything about him. Although his humor could use some work, he can always make me laugh. I feel like its just the two of us when we talk. He always has a kind word when I am upset. He probably won't read this reveiw. I think the whole world should know how wonderful he is.
This book was fantastic. I loved most all aspects of it. The story was truly touching.
Love is a magical feeling. Dont ever forget how it feels.
Anonymous
Posted October 28, 2012
He wasn't that huge guy, 6'5"-230#, he was just a normal sized guy. but he had heart and had no fear and the story gives you a a since that he was indestructible. Shane is "High-Noon", "The Searchers", The Magnificent Seven", and Hondo all rolled into one.
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Posted July 11, 2012
Truly told from a boy's perspective. Beautiful and clear story on courage, pride, loyalty, family, and doing what's right. Wonderful and relevant lessons throughout.
This book is largely character driven, and by that i mean the character of the characters. A little slow at first, this book took me chapters to get in it, but once I did, I really enjoyed how the rich imagery and writing style really brought to life such a simple story and idea. Lovely.
Anonymous
Posted May 4, 2012
I read this for school and it is too detailed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2006
My grandmother gave this to me when I was about nine years old and I just never got around to reading it. But now at the age of 19 I'm glad I just did. It took me only a weekend to enjoy this book and now my dad is reading it. I haven't seen the movie yet but it's like your favorite western. The plot is amazing and quick. It doesn't have all the fluff that some books have. Since it's first person, if Bob (the 'narrator') didn't see it it's not in the book. If you haven't read it, I ask what are you waiting for? Buy a copy today and you won't be sorry.
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Posted October 2, 2006
Shane is a book that is never forgotten. It tells of struggle and heartbrake from the perspective of a boy who has the most respect for Shane. The ending leaves you thinking of many things and what could happen.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 25, 2006
This book was one of the most pointless books I have ever read. I guess you could say that I am just not a fan of Western fiction, which is true, but this book had no plot, no point, and was written in a crude fashion. I would not recomend reading this book, and if you have a copy please burn it!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 13, 2005
I really enjoied reading the Shane as a english book. It was mysterious and fasinating. I would like to read some more novels by Jack Shaefer. But I agree with Beth. It was not an outstanding book.
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Posted January 3, 2005
One of the most outstanding book I have read in my lifetime! It is an amazing book to read.If your a western movie fan or an action thriller, this is your kind of book!
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Posted January 24, 2004
The book is a true masterpiece, indeed, and easily one of my favorite books. It seems simple on the surface, but there's a lot more to it than you can see at first. An entire chapter, for example, is about taking out a stump. It's boring if you skim through, but if you stop and think about the truly deep meaning of it all, it's a book that's sure to captivate your attention. There's a lot more to everything here than fighting henchmen in the saloon.
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Posted June 1, 2003
Well, it wasn't one of those books that you just can't put down. We were given this book in school to read. Our teacher makes us find the deeper meaning and read beetween the lines which makes the story extra boring!
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Posted February 10, 2003
How ironic that my father would name me after a character from a Western and I would later become a Western writer (the book "Bounties"). This book, and the movie that followed it, inspired a generation and as long as it's in print it will inspire many more. Even though I rely more on humor than Jack Schaeffer, I have tried to do as he did and keep the tough but good characters like Shane human beings that people can look up to and find goodness in.
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Posted November 27, 2002
Shane is the best book ever i highly reccomend reading it. shane is a charecter you never get to truly know. he seems to have a dark past and is perfect in everything he does. The story just cuts you off at the end which is a downside because i want to know what happns to him and bob and bobs parents. A great tale for all to read.
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Posted November 4, 2002
I have to admit, when i first started reading this book, i was losing interest, but after the first couple chapters it was a great book. This book is a true classic, and i recommend it for just about anyone.
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Posted June 2, 2002
I first read SHANE at the age of 12 or 13, and I LOVED IT! Now,at age 22, I've read stacks of westerns by Max Brand, L'amour and others, yet SHANE remains, in my opinion, one of the most entertaining westerns ever written. I've reread it many times, and it never fails to hold my attention each time. That is very unusual for me. I would definitely recommend this book to children and adults alike.
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Overview
He rode into our valley in the summer of '89, a slim man, dresses inblack.
"Call me Shane," he said. He never told us more.
There was a deadly calm in the valley that summer, a slow, climbing tension that seemed to focus on Shane.
"There's something about him," Mother said. "Something...dangerous..."
"He's dangerous all right," Father said, "...but not to us..."
"He's like one of these here slow burning fuses," the mule skinner...