I started reading his westerns around 1976 and read them all, and reread many. His work has been such a constant thread through my life that, honestly, I can't really even describe or explain the importance it held for me. I just love Louis Lamour westerns.
I find it has influenced me more as I grow older. I find myself reflecting back on fond memories of reading this or that title, and the stories and characters in them, as well as a deep connection to and longing for the 'eras' he portrayed in his stories. Oh, and I also read his memoir about ten times I think.
Wish I coulda met him. I envy you, Beau and Angelique, that yall got to know Louis so well.
I am sure others feel similarly, about the influence he had on your life. His work lives on!
#1. "RE: It's been a helluva ride" In response to Reply # 0
During my two years in the Army, 1966 to 1968. I got hooked. FLINT. The title intrigued me, and I was trapped from then on. Since that time I have read the stories as I found them, in the year the story took place, in publishing order and sometimes just for the fun and adventures. It’s been a crazy ride, and one I continue to take. Leatherette, hardcovers, paperback…the only venue I couldn’t pursue was the stories in a radio style or having them read to me…my brain couldn’t process the stories when I heard them, even with actors…don’t have a clue why, other than I played them on long drives out west of the Mississippi and my mind was on direction, vegetation, mountains, rocks, wildlife…everything except the story.
"We don't have any law here. Just a graveyard." LL from TREASURE MOUNTAIN
#2. "RE: It's been a helluva ride" In response to Reply # 0
I don't recall exactly when I started reading westerns but it was in the '60's. I had an uncle and aunt that I spent a lot of time with as a kid. They were fond of reading westerns. Then, in 1970, a friend got me started in LL and the rest, as they say, is histoire. I remember the year because I was freshman in college. I read the novels as I found them or as they were published. Always figured that one day I would find and read them all including his short stories. Which I did when I retired about 5-6 years ago. And, have re-read once of twice since. Reading them over is like hearing from an old friend.
#3. "RE: It's been a helluva ride" In response to Reply # 0
Louis is so much more than a great storyteller (a memorial he writes for himself). He not only Tells the story, he somehow in his imagination, transports himself Into the scene as he writes it! He writes as if he actually was there in the experience! His scenes explode in the reader’s imagination via what Louis sees, smells, hears, senses, and feels by him actually being there in his imagination. So the reader, uniquely to Louis L’Amour, gets the sense he/she is actually in the scene too, watching, feeling.
McMurtry might have done this with Lonesome Dove. Zane Grey with the horse chase in ‘Riders’. Kelton with his Hewey Calloway stories. But none with the non-stop consistency of Louis L’Amour. His short story “Lonigan” being a wonderful example.
#5. "RE: It's been a helluva ride" In response to Reply # 0
Been thinking about what you guys have written on this posting. I think one of the things in LL writings that really grew on me were the real life, historical figures that LL wove into his tales. I've Googled quite a few and continue to do more. Their stories are often very interesting on their own.
