The Virginian is a classic western novel written by American author Owen Wister. First published in 1902, the book tells the story of a cowboy known only as ""the Virginian"" who works on a ranch in Wyoming during the late 1800s. The novel is considered one of the first great westerns and helped to establish many of the tropes and conventions of the genre.The Virginian is a complex character who embodies many of the values and ideals of the American West. He is a skilled horseman and marksman, and he is respected by his ...
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The Virginian is a classic western novel written by American author Owen Wister. First published in 1902, the book tells the story of a cowboy known only as ""the Virginian"" who works on a ranch in Wyoming during the late 1800s. The novel is considered one of the first great westerns and helped to establish many of the tropes and conventions of the genre.The Virginian is a complex character who embodies many of the values and ideals of the American West. He is a skilled horseman and marksman, and he is respected by his fellow cowboys for his bravery and integrity. The novel follows the Virginian as he navigates the challenges of life on the ranch, including conflicts with other cowboys, run-ins with outlaws, and a budding romance with a schoolteacher named Molly Stark.Throughout the novel, Wister explores themes of honor, loyalty, and justice. The Virginian is a man of strong principles who believes in doing what is right, even if it means going against the expectations of his peers. He is also fiercely loyal to his friends and is willing to risk his own life to protect them.The Virginian is a beautifully written novel that captures the spirit of the American West. Wister's prose is lyrical and evocative, and he paints a vivid picture of the rugged landscape and the colorful characters who inhabit it. The book has been adapted into several films and TV shows over the years, but the original novel remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers of all ages.1902. Wister, an American writer whose stories helped to establish the cowboy as an archetypical, individualist hero. The novel on which the TV series was based, The Virginian is set in the Wyoming territory during the late 1870s and 1880s. A courageous, but mysterious, cowboy known only as the Virginian works as foreman of a Wyoming cattle ranch. He meets and falls in love with the pretty schoolteacher named Molly Wood. The Virginian is forced to preside over the hanging of his best friend Steve, who has been accused and convicted of cattle rustling. Then the peace is threatened by Trampas, who also works on the farm. There is a climatic gun duel between the two men. Trampas fires first, misses and is then killed by the Virginian. In the end the Virginian marries Molly and rides off with her into the mountains. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
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Add this copy of The Virginian to cart. $70.95, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
Add this copy of The Virginian to cart. $90.02, new condition, Sold by Booksplease rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Southport, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
Add this copy of The Virginian to cart. $132.11, new condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2010 by Kessinger Publishing.
Written in 1902, The Virginian is considered to be the first cowboy novel and the basis of the genre of Western movies and TV shows that remain popular to this day. Author Owen Wister (1860-1938) was from Philadelphia but made several trips out to the West in the 1880s and 1890s; his visit to Wyoming was the inspiration for the novel entitled The Virginian (much of the story takes place in Medicine Bow, Wyoming). The story develops the themes of toughness and rugged individualism typically connected with the West. The story includes various elements one associates with Western novels: cowboys, horses, trains, ranches, cattle rustlers, sagebrush, cottonwood trees, wide-open spaces, romance, and a gun battle. I will admit I was hoping for a little more action as I would see with James Drury (the Virginian), Doug McClure (Trampas), and Lee J. Cobb (the Judge) in the TV show of the same name as the novel; on the other hand, if one reads this book as a person from the East and living in the United States in the opening years of the twentieth century one can see the literary and historical significance of this book. I also liked how the author attempted to reconcile the various regions (East, West, New England, and the South) with characters representing the various sections of the United States. While at times a little slow, I did like this book and I feel as if I have viewed a way of life and a philosophy that seems to be fading away with each passing year.
ris227
May 31, 2015
Virginian
Bought this Classic book as a gift. Pleased with entire transaction.
Katherine B
May 19, 2011
great book
This is one of the great books on the west. It was written while Wister was in Winthrop, WA.
