Customer Reviews

The Californios

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This one doesn't really fall into the Western category, but it's full of hammering action, informative local California history, and mystic goings-on. Seacoast adventures, early Califronia ranching, great good-guys and really bad bad-guys, and mysterious appearances by silent, unknown characters fill this one to the brim! Best of all, L'Amour introduces in this story, for what I believe was the first time in his writings, the famous "portal to the other side," which really sets this story apart from almost all of his other works. Excellent yarn through and through. You won't forget it for a long time after you first read it!

I have read fourteen books of Louis L'Amour's writings and this one happened to be one of the best books I read. It's different, and keeps you wondering about what's goin' to happen next, and in the end leaves you with a big smile drawn upon your face!. If you haven't read The Californios, then you'd better go get it! It's one of his finest writings! I usually keep my books on a shelf but I stored this one among my most-loved possessions! Louis L'Amour is by far the greatest storyteller, and this is how he's going to be remembered until the end of time!.

L'Amour masterfully describes the beautiful California scenery, the situations, and the characters, as he unfolds the plot in his reader's mind's eye. Included in this mix is the ever-present set of challenges facing the protagonists. As one of his characters says in this novel, "there is always trouble. One learns to live with it. A man grows through enduring." A few chapters over one of his characters observes "men must struggle or they deteriorate." Which leads to the addition of philosophy or worldview, another component of L'Amour's works. I agree with some of his sermonizing, i.e., issues such as a strong work ethic and bravery. I strongly disagree when he tries to subtlely preach acceptance of mysticism which is anti-Christian. Moving back to a more positive matter, L'Amour inserts elements of human relations in his works. For example in talking about Mariana visiting with Sean in this book he notes "she listened more to the man than to the words." In synergistically observing people and location, he notes how one impacts the other by writing "in New England and in northern Europe the seasons were short and the air brisk. One had little time to do what needed to be done. In California the seasons merged, dreamed one into the other, and what was not done today could be done tomorrow." If taken in context, i.e., specifially if one ignores his advocacy of anti-Christian spiritualism, he has a colorful, adventure story of the old West to tell.

I often wonder why someone like Steven Speilberg never cared to read such literary talent...I re-read Californios in my late twenties and wondered if SS could make a movie out of this. It would probably become every kid's fantasy in the truest sense of the word if only every word of this book is translated using computer graphics...recall that JAWS and ET were runaway blockbusters that dealt with a shark and an extra-terrestrial as such. The SETI project is 40 years old and still no luck...it's time to become fascinated by our own kind I guess! And Louis Dearborn L'Amour is definitely the last of the breed!!

overall, The Californios was a good historical western story, and one of the best westerns i've ever read. the book was set in the 1800s in southern California and Mexico, and used realstic details and events from that time period to add to the plot. it had the perfect cowboy setting - canyons, deserts, mountains, horses, Indians, and outlaws. it also involved things that were happening in the 1800s, including immigration and dispute between Mexico and the US. throughout the book, the author uses these to relate to his characters and makes the suspense of the story a lot better. The Californios has all the basic western themes too - adventure, gunfights, treasure hunting, bandits, and old wise men. it even involves spirits and mystical events to beef up the mystery.

"The Californios" is a western with a different feel than most of Louis L'Amour's other novels. As usual, there is action, light romance, and suspense. However, "The Californios" has a mystical side that has similar elements as L'Amour's book "The Haunted Mesa." Overall, the book is fantastic and one both L'Amour fan, and those new to his writing, will enjoy.

The story is about a man trying to help his mother keep her ranch. As she owes money to a scoundrel who would rather own her land, they are in a predicament. Years ago, her husband went into the desert with a man called the Old One, the last of an ancient people, and returned with gold. Now, they believe finding the Old One may help them again.

"The Californios" is an amazing book worth reading. You will learn about life in the early 1800s California without trying. Perhaps the most enjoyable part was the philosophical statements and the mystical elements sprinkled throughout the book. Furthermore, the book peaked my interest in learning more about ancient people who were in America before the Indians. To top it off, the suspense runs from the beginning to end and is truly exceptional reading.

A fairly decent read, the "Californios" allows readers to step into the diverse story including sailing and backcountry soul searching. In the story, I felt that L'Amour mixed in an interesting mix on his usual cowboy backdrop by placing an exotic take on the ancient humans of pre-indian California. With this in mind, I believe this book is a good read for anyone who has read a few of ole Louis' books and want to see a slight change in his gun slinging plots.

I've read them all, many times over and am a big fan. This one held so much promise for me, describing the culture and life of the Californios. And then he had to inject that mystic story of another world in there.....

I am a huge Louis L'Amour fan and being I lived in this area of California and ridden horses and explored this area, it had special signifigance to me. Like all L'Amour books, there is a lot of fact and legend woven thru the story. I am now living close to the 4 corners area where more of his books took place and loving associating his books with the the area, facts and legends!

Long before Hollywood took over and actors became politicians, Los Angeles was a sleepy little town with growing pains. L'Amour has woven that story into this tale of parallel worlds and mysterious places to create a western that isn't your ordinary shoot-em-up. Like most of L'Amour's female characters, the two women in this one are strong and intelligent and they help the men accomplish something. I always think that this book and "Haunted Mesa" are almost companion pieces; this one of parallel worlds during the time of the Old West and "Haunted Mesa" of the same thing in modern times. An interesting book by a master of the art of storytellling.