What are the characteristics of the best American western fiction novels?

Typical characteristics include a focus on the frontier, with settings like deserts, mountains, and small frontier towns. There's often a strong sense of adventure, with cowboys, outlaws, and sheriffs as main characters. The themes usually revolve around survival, justice, and the taming of the wild west.

They typically have a strong sense of place. The American West, with its vast landscapes like deserts, mountains, and prairies, is vividly described in their works. For instance, Zane Grey's novels are known for their detailed portrayals of the western scenery. Their characters are often rugged individuals, such as cowboys, ranchers, or sheriffs, who uphold certain values like justice and loyalty. This reflects the frontier spirit of the American West.

Some of the best American western novels include 'The Virginian' by Owen Wister. It was one of the first novels to really define the western genre. 'Little Big Man' by Thomas Berger is another excellent one. It tells the story from the perspective of a white man raised by Native Americans, providing a unique view of the west. And 'Shane' by Jack Schaefer is a beloved western novel, with the character of Shane being an iconic figure in western literature.

The best American crime fiction novels often have complex characters. For example, in 'The Godfather', the characters are multi - faceted, not simply good or bad. They also usually have a gripping plot. 'Gone Girl' keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its unexpected twists. And many feature a sense of place, like 'Chinatown Beat' which vividly portrays the Chinatown area.

One characteristic is the vivid description of the western landscape. They often paint a picture of vast deserts, majestic mountains, and open plains in the American West. For example, Zane Grey's novels make you feel like you are right there in the wild west.

Native American authors' Western novels often have a strong sense of place. They describe the Western landscapes from a Native American perspective, which is different from the typical Western view. For instance, they might focus on the spiritual significance of certain natural features.

One characteristic is the strong presence of Christian values. The characters often face moral dilemmas and make decisions based on their faith. For example, they might show forgiveness in difficult situations.

Most of them often feature the vast landscapes of the American West, like deserts, mountains and prairies. Cowboys are a common element too. For example, in 'Lonesome Dove', the characters are former cowboys on a long journey. Another characteristic is the sense of adventure and the struggle against nature or outlaws.

They usually reflect different historical periods. Take 'Little House on the Prairie' for instance. It shows the pioneer life in the 19th century, with details about how families survived and built communities in the new land. Another characteristic is the exploration of human nature. In 'Moby - Dick', the complex relationship between man and nature and man's obsession are deeply explored. There are also works that focus on social issues, like 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' which was crucial in the fight against slavery.

Well, 'Appaloosa' by Robert B. Parker is a great one. It's about a town marshal and his deputy dealing with outlaws. 'Hondo' by Louis L'Amour is another good choice. It features a tough cowboy trying to survive in a hostile environment. Additionally, 'The Shootist' by Glendon Swarthout is a story about an aging gunfighter which is quite engaging.