Ed Gorman mentioned on James Reasoner’s blog that Clifton Adams had written five or six of the best westerns ever. Imagine my dismay at reading those words with the realization that while I had a stack of Clifton Adams’ novels, I’d never read one of them! Well, that deficiency has been rectified by my enjoyment of Clifton Adams’ Tragg’s Choice first published in 1969. Tragg is an aging performer. As a U. S. Marshal, he shot a desperado ten years before and then went on a lecture tour to cash in on his fame. But, after ten years, audiences have forgotten the desperado and Tragg finds himself looking for another profession. He meets Jessie Ross, girlfriend of a contemporary desperado with a $10,000 bounty on his head. Jessie tries to talk Tragg into helping her collect the bounty on her boyfriend, but Tragg wants nothing to do with it. A hired assassin, a crazed killer, and a lynch mob keep the plot of Tragg’s Choice unpredictable. Tragg’s Choice won the Spur Award in 1969 for Best Western Novel. It’s well deserved.
Yet another for my findit/readit list. Thanks, George!
TRAGG’S CHOICE is a dandy novel, Dan. You’ll enjoy it. All thanks should go to Ed Gorman who praised Clifton Adams’ work.
So there is a book you haven’t read.
You’ve seen the stacks of unread books in my house, Patti. There are plenty of books and authors I haven’t gotten to yet.
Never heard of this one. That is a forgotten book!
You’re right, Jeff. TRAGG’S CHOICE has been forgotten. Yet, it was an award winner decades ago. Shows you how fame can fade away.
My forgotten books wish list is starting to grow staggeringly long. This one will go on it though and I’ll get it. Sometime. (sigh). The life of a reader.
I always have room on my Read Real Soon stack for a Good Book, Randy.
Yep…Patti was asking yesterday or the day before who we’ve been meaning to read…and I need to sit down with, at least, a list of Spur winners and try all the folks I haven’t read yet. Perhaps the only one I’ve read nearly all she published has been Lee Hoffman.
I’m a fan of Elmer Kelton’s work, Todd. Kelton won a number of Spurs. I like Lee Hoffman’s work, too.
Fine pick, George. Adams was already forgotten 25 years after his death, when I started reading him. I’ve probably read a score of his novels, and enjoyed every one. TRAGG’S CHOICE is quite good, and very well-constructed, but my favorite western of his is the melancholy THE LAST DAYS OF WOLF GARNETT, which also won the Spur.
Even better is a non-western of his called DEATH’S SWEET KISS, from the 50’s. Very James M. Cain-ish.
I think Bill Crider reviewed Clifton Adams’ DEATH’S SWEET KISS, Drongo. After I finished TRAGG’S CHOICE, I read THE LAST DAYS OF WOLF GARNETT. You’re right, Drongo, it’s an excellent novel!
I have to admit, I’ve never read a western, but this sounds like a great place to start, so thanks for the recommendation! I guess you saw where producer/writer Ronald D. Moore (of “Battlestar Galactica” fame) is developing a remake of the classic 1960’s TV series “Wild Wild West” starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin.
I consider Westerns historical novels, BV. And Clifton Adams is an excellent writer to explore. Yes, I was a fan of the original WILD, WILD WEST. The Will Smith remake was a flop. Maybe this new version will capture the unique flavor of the original.
I’m posting what updates I can over at the Off to B’con post on my own blog, since I stupidly left my own sign-on password at home. Lots of great people here, books, panels. Weather great. Patti, I met Megan this morning.
You guys are missing a good one!
Trust me, you guys would not want to be near me today, Rick. I’ve come down with an upper respiratory infection. Plenty of sneezing and wheezing. I’m not fit company for the convivial BOUCHERCON bunch (or anyone else for that matter). Sounds like you’re having a great time. Megan Abbott is a peach!
I still haven’t forgiven Will Smith for WILD WILD WEST, George.
That was a travesty of the worst order.
The Will Smith WILD, WILD WEST might be one of the worst movies ever made, Jeff. Dreadful!
This guy has been recommended to me many times, but whenever I’m in a store with used westerns I can’t remember his name. Uh, who is it we’re talking about again?
That’s why I carry a WANT LIST with me, Evan. My memory is shaky, too.