Don’t Mess with Texas… or with Elmer Kelton!
By Kristen on Jul 4, 2008 in 50 States 50 Books
photo credit: specialkrb
This week, rather than choosing an author that I think best represents his/her home state, I am highlighting an author new to me on the recommendation of one of my readers! Thank you, Sherry, for introducing me to Elmer Kelton!
After reading Sherry’s comment, I checked out Kelton’s website and was immediately impressed by the accolades and awards he has won — he was voted “all-time best western author by the Western Writers of America,” was a four-time winner of the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, and won the Silver Spur Award seven times.
Considering that Texas still represents the (wild) West to so many of us living in the tamer regions of the U.S., it seems high time that I become acquainted with the “all-time best of the west“! Kelton has written 40 novels, including two series, and I would love some help deciding which one to try…
Here is a quote from Kelton regarding one novel that was turned into a TNT miniseries:
“The Good Old Boys is probably the closest I have ever come to writing from sheer inspiration. Hewey Calloway and the other characters took hold of the story like a cold-jawed horse grabbing onto the bit, and about all I could do was hang on for the ride.”—
I also found this summary of his memoir (on his website) and thought it sounded like a good read:
Sandhills Boy is Kelton’s memoir, a funny and poignant story of “a freckle-faced country boy, green as a gourd, a sheep ready to be sheared,” growing up in the wild, dry, sandhills of West Texas. The son of a working cowboy and ranch foreman, Elmer was expected to follow in father’s footsteps but learned at an early age that he had no talents in the cowboy’s trade. Buck Kelton called Elmer “Pop,” said he was “slow as the seven-year itch,” and reluctantly supported his son’s decision to become a student at the University of Texas, and, eventually, a journalist and writer.
Kelton’s life in ranch and oil patch Texas during the Great Depression is told with warm nostalgic humor animated with stories of the cowboys and their wives and kids who gave the time and place its special flavor. He writes with great feeling of his service in WW2 in France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia, and the romantic circumstances in which his life changed in the village of Ebensee, Austria.
I would love to hear from anyone who has read Kelton’s work… Does he represent the great state of Texas satisfactorily? Where should I start?
Thanks again to Sherry for introducing us to Elmer Kelton… By the way, I would love suggestions for the following states: Delaware, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, and Utah!
Curious about what states we’ve done so far and which ones are on deck?
Photo by marxchivistFirst, from Melanie Jones:
Alabama: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (check out my To Kill A Mockingbird Sample Kit!) Michigan: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides Alaska: The Man Who Swam With Beavers by Nancy Lord Arizona: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver North Dakota: Peace Like a River by Leif Enger Vermont: The Secret History by Donna Tartt Hawaii: Heads by Harry by Lois-ann Yamanaka Georgia: Leaving Atlanta by Tayari Jones And I went out on my own for…
Florida: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Nora Zeale Hurston Minnesota: In the Lake of the Woods by Tim O’Brien Wisconsin: When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton Louisiana: Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells (Jones’ pick) and The Awakening by Kate Chopin (my pick) Colorado: Plainsong by Kent Haruf Maryland: Anything by Anne Tyler Georgia: Awakening by Kate Chopin Ohio: The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Arkansas: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou Virginia: John Grisham Idaho: Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson North Carolina: Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons Tennesee: Run by Ann Patchett New Jersey: Anything by Janet Ivanovich
Wondering where your state is? Coming soon… In the meantime, weigh in on future picks!
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I would recommend “The Time It Never Rained,” a story about the seven year drought in the 1950s in West Texas. It is a real portrait of what it was like. “The Good Old Boys” was made into TV movie and is available on VHS from Amazon — it was very faithful to the book.
Ed Kelton | Jul 4, 2008 | Reply
Thank you, Ed!! Kelton has been so prolific, I really didn’t know where to begin… I appreciate the suggestion!
Kristen | Jul 5, 2008 | Reply
Kelton is the best. The farther I get from Texas, the more I find myself turning to his books to take me home. He writes complex stories with complex — true to life — characters.
In addition to those listed above, some of my favorites include “The Man Who Rode Midnight,” which reminds me of my childhood interaction with my grandfather, and “Stand Proud.”
Reid | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Thank you, Reid! I appreciate the comment AND your suggestions! Thank you for reading…
Kristen | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply