WESTERNS: WHY FANTASY FANS & WRITERS SHOULD READ WESTERN NOVELS / Brian Lee Durfee

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

check out all of my WESTERN NOVEL reviews kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYGlqWeJlseXobs

[@ceranko]

Ive used Louis Lamour plots for my fantasy games.

[@therealbroga]

Robert E. Howard wrote many western stories. At the time of his death, he had even abandoned Conan completely and was writing almost exclusively westerns.

[@EthanFaidley]

Yes he did! Like His Weird Western "the horror from the mound"

[@jtoland2333]

Wow! I just found your channel, and I am blown away by your passion and enthusiasm! Yes, the Southwest and Northwest have a magic all its own; I grew up in Flagstaff, just a short, twisty drive to Sedona. Its breathtaking! I'm writing my first novel. It started out as a short story, but the more I wrote, the more my characters revealed their depth and their wonderful personalities. They wanted to live a little longer, so now I'm giving them what they want. It started as a Western set in 1890s Seattle. Now, it's a Sci Fi/Romance/ Western. I'm having so much fun with it, it's such a great experience! You have a new subscriber; Me!😊

[@marcsmirnoff936]

Am already a fan of Westerns (True Grit, Elmore Leonard, Greg Matthews, being faves), but this is inspired analysis for WHY the genre matters. Thanks.

[@philliprolfes5465]

@BRIAN LEE DURFEE Reviews You totally nailed it here. Our American mythology is largely under-appreciated by us Americans. Your words about the animals, scenery, and cowboys of the West remind me of the scenery, strange animals, and explorers and frontiersmen of my own area - guys like Daniel Boone. Great stuff.

[@angusorvid8840]

Great video, terrific subject. I read every genre and westerns have a special place in my library. I am also a writer. I haven't written a western (I hope to someday) but I do write SF, Fantasy, Horror and Thrillers/Mysteries. One of my favorite westerns of all time is Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece Blood Meridian. I am also a big fan of James Carlos Blake's work, like In the Rogue Blood and Wildwood Boys. I also recommend the late Elmer Kelton, Loren D. Estleman, Elmore Leonard who started writing westerns before moving to crime, and the legendary and amazingly prolific Louis L'Amour, whom my father knew. You can't go wrong with L'Amour. He wrote lean, fast flowing prose and never got in the way of the story. His heroes like Hondo and Jean LeBarge are resourceful and inspiring, and they make you want to stand up and cheer.

[@beardedpriest9715]

Brian this was a well spoken and thought provoking video. I personally love western anything but I’ve honestly never thought of the old west in a way as such you explained it. I’d honestly love to see you write a western novel and put that Durfee touch to it. You seem very passionate about these topics. Maybe you could make it about those magical quests or artifacts you spoke of and give it your fantasy twist to it.

[@rhinson1]

This is an outstanding point. I had never considered this before but you are absolutely right. Time to pick up some westerns.

[@Penny-p4c]

It falls outside of the fantasy genre, but this last year the publishing house Death Heads Press released a series of stand alone, un related (other than the tone and it being a western setting) known as the Splatter Westerns. They were fantastic, for the same reasons he is drawing on. It throws a monkey wrench in two familiar genres what a breath of fresh air. You can currently find them available on Kindle unlimited, you can start with the first one Magpie Coffin if you would like, but you can pick which ever one really dress draws your attention and start from there.

[@living_the_mac_and_cheese_life]

Just found your page while searching for western novel reviews. I'll have to check out your work!

[@MrGlasgow51]

Stumbled into your channel. I have watched, liked and now subscribed. I enjoy the content.

[@christophertaylor9100]

My first novel was a fantasy based on frontier fiction concepts, they do blend really well.

[@meaghannepayne795]

I've been working on a 'western fantasy' before I saw this video. Immediately like and follow!

[@JoelAdamson]

I think adventure or "quest" is really the genre in the strict sense, whereas fantasy or western are settings. You could also have a fantasy mystery, fantasy noir, or a fantasy gangster novel.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Indeed

[@reginaldforthright805]

Fantasy noir is two settings. Perhaps you mean fantasy detective, which is really just mystery + action.

[@beanie0026]

did you Try Max Allan Collins western Series? I think it was some stuff that Micky Spalaine(sp?)’s family had left to him when Mickey passed. It is ok stuff

[@jamesfetcho6315]

They are similar. That's how I got the Idea for one of the songs I wrote Gunfighters Moon. Between fantasy , western books, & movies. Great video. Hella cool shirt.👍😁👍

[@unkindestcut]

I read Louis L’Amour’s “Mustang Man” at 8-9 years old. It was the first “grown up” book I read (a gift from my grandma in lieu of candy or a comic book, to my dismay!). You are spot on with this video!

[@rogerl6212]

I liked the video! I just subbed

[@sethrakes1991]

Could you please review some newer “edgier” westerns like: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt Deadwood by Pete Dexter Hell at the Breech by Tom Franklin The Winter Family by Clifford Jackman Paradise Sky by Joe R. Lansdale Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy You’d get a ton of ideas for your dark fantasy novels.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

I read Blood Meridian and didn't care for it all that much. I will take a look at the others you listed to see if they interest me. Thanks for the recommendation

[@sethrakes1991]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Yeah, that one has terrible pacing, pretentious prose, and is monotonous. But there are a few really bone-chilling scenes that still haunt me despite all the negatives. Not my favorite Western by any means. Just one that lurks in the back of my mind. If you wanna laugh your @** off read Paradise Sky by Lansdale. It’s a hoot and then some. About a black man named Nat Love who learns how to break/ride horses and shoot and goes on a wild adventure while running from the KKK.

[@thirdspacemaker9141]

In voice of Jayne from Firefly: “yeah cuz klansmen are hi-larious.”

[@irena7777777]

I've got Paradise Sky on my Kindle. Might read that next. Any other Lansdale recommendations would be appreciated!

[@sethrakes1991]

@@irena7777777 The Bottoms. Edge of Dark Water. The Thicket. All of his Hap and Leonard books. Paradise Sky is his masterpiece though.

[@EthanFaidley]

I'm collecting the louis lamour leatherbounds, of which there are 128, and the zanee grey walter j. Black editions, of which there are 75. I will also recommend Blood Meridian by McCarthy and The Son.

[@fashionearrings]

I'm new to your channel and I've been lapping up your content hungrily. That's because the selections suggested by most other book Tubers I've gone thru don't really fit my bill.. Your recommendations are right up my alley! Can you tell me do you do YA as well? There was a western author I'm interested to find out more about but not available in my country. Gordon D Shireffs. Old time YA western author..

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Thanks for the kind words. I dont read too many YA novels

[@captainnolan5062]

Undaunted Courage by Ambrose and Centennial by Michener are great, as is Portis's True Grit.

[@c.g.5898]

SPOT ON analysis of the similarities between Westerns and Classic Tolkien type fantasy.

[@heidi6281]

Two autobiographical books that drop you right into the desert and the outback are Desert Solitare by Edward Abbey & Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan

[@TexasMan77]

Terry C Johnston, my main man in the western genre alongside Larry McMurtry and also Mike Blakely, a Texas author as is Elmer Kelton. I’ll also mention older legends like Zane Grey.

[@vilstef6988]

One of my favorite BookTubers just discovered a Western author named Elmer Kelton whom he recommended. One of the commenters here also mentioned Kelton.

[@kenward1310]

Great video. Thanks!

[@Awesomnessticity]

If I were to heed your sagacious advice and give Westerns a chance where would you suggest to begin? Any particular author or series that would be ideal to a complete newcomer? I've never even watched a John Wayne movie 😂

[@sethrakes1991]

Anything For Billy by Larry McMurtry

[@Awesomnessticity]

@@sethrakes1991 I'll give this a go if I can pick it up at a decent price. (even though my TBR list is exponentially huge)

[@sethrakes1991]

@@Awesomnessticity haha i hear you. my TBR list seems infinite at this point 😂

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Anything For Billy is good. The first Western i ever read was The Californios by Louis L'Amour. I liked it cuz it has everything a Western should have plus ghosts

[@sethrakes1991]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS That one sounds great. I need to get a copy of it soon.

[@txmatt2112]

Excellent vid BLD!!! Love all your shit! (Figuratively)

[@AuthorJohnADouglas]

Or compromise and read fantasy westerns like “The Widow’s Son” by Ryan Williamson

[@readingreignbro5680]

And if you like epic series, Mcmurtrys Berrybender Narratives is pretty damn good. Yee haw.

[@InvaderGirrable]

I don’t really read but I love any western setting about outlaws what book do you recommend, I want to start reading books more

[@st.cimmerian1680]

Paradise Sky by Joe Lansdale. Epic!

[@cynthiaholmes5124]

When are you going to do reviews of joe Abercrombie other books and have you ever done a video on which books you want to see be adapted for tv or movies

[@eddybedder2865]

What brand is your cowboy hat?

[@LincolnClay98]

What is a good western book for a new reader? I've never read a book before and I don't want something too long and overwhelming like lonesome dove.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

The Californios or Hondo or Utah Blaine by Louis L'Amour

[@LincolnClay98]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS thanks!

[@TenereAMir]

I read both, but I've always been a fan of westerns. Currently working on a weird west book series.

[@erikagehm2805]

American folklore is AMAZING. It has been Western/European folklore flavored by Native American/First Nations; African; and, once the rail roads started to happen, Asian folklore.

[@hecklongtree]

You need to read Max Brand's books. They're filled with mythological references.

[@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS]

Cool. Ive seen his stuff around...always hated the covers

[@hecklongtree]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Check out Michael Aviano's cover on the 1959 Pocket Book edition of Destry Rides Again.

[@Ruseofpoison]

Kept thinking this throughout the whole video-- mentioning Zane Grey but not Max Brand, particularly in the prose department, is a crying shame.

[@Ruseofpoison]

@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS Following up on this old comment, but did you ever get around to reading Max Brand? He was my first old school author I got into, and I read him on kindle so I never considered the covers.

[@Bigwave3K]

Another big thing. My girlfriend loves books with paladins and stuff and lots of characters in these westerns are forms of paladins as holy men who are not killers by nature but are thrown into situations where they have to fight

[@mariahminner1334]

I never knew how badly I needed a western fantasy novel until this very moment. lol

[@samuelbird7151]

I read historical fiction science fiction and westerns more southern Gothic literature I dont really get into fantasy anymore I can recommend strongly all the pretty horses and blood meridian both by cormack Mccarthy just be warned his writing is difficult at first I recommend reading along with audible

[@GiovaniPablo1]

First western was butchers crossing never looked back

[@DevitoAllPro]

Read wide and read alot

[@GaryMartinDobbs]

Can't beat a good western

[@davidplatt8308]

Well, I'm fantasy reader, happen to have first western book called dead man don't lie

[@joshstringer5136]

Where's True Grit? My favorite Western ever.

[@werejustgaming]

Old West covers a period fron early 1700s to 1912 exactly. Ancient races lol.

[@toonrex2806]

Another part of American mythology in my opinion are dinosaurs. They’re the real life American equivalent to dragons.

[@patrickrichardson2529]

Blood meridian !

[@personmcpersonperson2893]

One great book that is

[@werejustgaming]

I will do you one better. I will take your read Westerns and I will raise you writing my own lol