What are some classic old west fiction books?

Some of the top old west fictions include 'The Ox - Bow Incident' by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. It's a thought - provoking story that shows the darker side of mob justice in the west. 'Centennial' by James Michener is also excellent. It's a long and detailed account of the settling of the west, covering everything from the Native American tribes to the white settlers. And don't forget 'The Searchers' by Alan Le May, which was later made into a famous movie, and tells a gripping story of a man's search for his kidnapped niece in the old west.

One great Old Hollywood fiction book is 'The Day of the Locust' by Nathanael West. It gives a dark and satirical view of Hollywood in the 1930s. Another is 'What Makes Sammy Run?' by Budd Schulberg which delves into the cut - throat nature of the Hollywood dream. Also, 'F. Scott Fitzgerald's short stories often touch on Hollywood themes and the allure and decay of the movie industry.

A less - known but great 'old west horror novel' is 'The Wendigo's Hunt' by Jack Hardy. It's about a group of settlers in the old west who encounter a Wendigo, a terrifying creature from Native American folklore. The author does a great job of building suspense as the settlers struggle to survive in the unforgiving western landscape while being hunted by this supernatural being. It has all the elements of a classic old west story, like cowboys, saloons, and long rides through the desert, but with a horror twist that makes it really stand out.

One classic scary old west story is about the Headless Horseman of the West. Legend has it that a cowboy who was wrongly hanged came back as a headless specter on his horse, haunting the desolate canyons at night. Another is the story of the Ghost Town. When miners left a town in a hurry due to a series of unexplained deaths, it was said that the spirits of those who died remained, and strange noises and apparitions could be heard and seen at night. There was also the tale of the Witch of the Prairie. A woman accused of witchcraft was burned at the stake, and ever since, her angry spirit was said to cause misfortune to those who passed through the area where she died.

Common themes include the struggle for survival. In the old west, resources could be scarce, and people had to be tough. There was also the theme of honor among men. A cowboy's word was his bond. And the theme of community was important too. Small towns in the west had to support each other. For example, when there was a drought or a bandit threat, they would come together.

Zane Grey is very well - known. He wrote many books set in the Old West, and his works often feature strong characters, exciting adventures, and vivid descriptions of the western landscape.

Another is 'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry. While not strictly 'erotic' in a blatant sense, it does explore the passionate relationships among the characters against the backdrop of the Old West. The love and lust of the characters add depth to the story set in that era.

Well, 'The Virginian' by Owen Wister is a classic in old west historical fiction. It gives a detailed picture of life in the Old West, including cowboy culture, ranching, and the relationships between different characters. Also, 'Riders of the Purple Sage' by Zane Grey is very popular. It has elements of adventure, love, and the struggle between good and evil in the western setting.

Some well - known works in old fiction include 'Pride and Prejudice' by Jane Austen. It's a story full of social commentary and romantic elements. Another is 'Moby - Dick' by Herman Melville, which is an epic tale about a man's obsession with a white whale.

Cowboys are very typical. They were the ones herding cattle and living a nomadic life on the range. Sheriffs were also common. They were responsible for keeping law and order in the towns. And outlaws, like bandits and gunslingers, who were always causing trouble.