Customer Reviews

Code of the West: A Novel

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

 

 

Recognized for his novels and screenplays, Aaron Latham created an iconic Western tale with "Urban Cowboy." He's done it again with "Code Of The West," a pleasurable blend of the Arthurian legend and cowboy lore.

This epic tale, which spans three generations, introduces Jimmy Goodnight, a former Comanche captive, who runs a cattle empire, the Home Ranch. One-eyed Jimmy visits a county fair where he accomplishes a feat that has defeated the strongest Texans - he smoothly pulls an ax from an anvil.

After Jimmy and his crew rescue a beautiful young woman, Revelie Sanborn, from an evil outlaw, Jimmy falls hopelessly in love. Reverting to the Comanche tongue, he tells Revelie, "My mind cries for you." They marry.

But living happily ever after isn't in the cards with the appearance of Jimmy's best friend, Jack Loving (remember Lancelot?)

Desperados, feuds, jealousy, rebellion, chivalry, love, and sacrifice are all part and parcel of this adventuresome, highly enjoyable tale. Kudos to Aaron Latham.

I recently received this book as a gift. I wasn't expecting that much, but I started on it quickly so I could discuss it in the thank you note I was needing to send. I was astounded, a great read, a great plot, and a great ending. This was my first Aaron Latham book and I was really pleased. This book could easily be on the best seller list if it's promoted correctly. I would have skipped right over it, expecting it to be just a Western. Code of the West is so much more.

This is one of the poorest example of "literature" I have ever had to force my way thru. I'm an avid reader and this was one of worst. The continuation book "Cowboy with the Tiffany Gun" is a continuation of the same style of writing and not worth your time! The hype of the reviews must have been paid for!

I forced myself through 2/3 of this book thinking all along that it had to get better. Well, I'm not going to read the last 1/3 - life is too short for such a weak novel. This tale of fantasy and contrived characters would be complete if Latham had only thrown-in a couple of hobbits. This dribble does not deserve any comparison to Lonesome Dove.

I was initially drawn to this novel by the promise of 'King Arthur in the Wild West', and while the novel does tell a loose approximation of the Arthur myth, this novel is the story of one man's struggle to find himself in the old West.

Jimmy Goodnight, kidnapped by Indians as a child, is a legendary figure in the West after he uses Comanche skills to 'talk' a supposedly immovable axe out of an anvil. He sets up a ranch and wins the love of a wealthy banker's daughter. He feels his life is complete when he hires a talented and handsome cowboy to be his foreman. After this the familiar Arthurian elements come ot the fore. Goodnight's son, conceived in a gang rape of Jimmy's cousin, returns and swears vengeance on Goodnight. The foreman and Goodnight's wife run off together. Goodnight bands the ranchers together in a Cattlemen's association.

But the Arthurian story is only backdrop for the well-written and engaging cowboy story. It's fun to try to determine the Arthurian analogues for each character, but this may distract the reader from an entertaining story.

Aaron Latham has created a well-done novel, one that has inspired me to track down his previous works. In the end, _Code of the West_ is a riveting novel (even if it is 50 pages too long).

For all the hype on the book jacket, with comparisons to McMurtry, etc., this was a pretty poor book. Even though using names that are linked to the real old west (Goodnight and Loving) the location, plot, and action are closer to a poorly written Paul Bunyan tale. This book is more a work of juvenile fantasy (even though sometimes x-rated) than historical fiction. I will never read anything by Latham again.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. This book was my dream come true; why? Here's my background...
I have been a King Arthur fanatic since I was in High School (late 70's). I've jousted on horseback as an armored knight for the last 10 years in New York. I've lived that "knight's life" I grew up on.
I also grew up with cowboys on a small horse ranch in Arizona and have read lots of western novels, especially Larry McMurtry's westerns. I'm also a big fan of Terry C. Johnston's "Plainsmen Novels".
I never would have thought someone could combine my two literary passions in one book but Aaron Latham did it. Code of the West was perfectly written, combining a very authentic western sensibility with the endearing nobility of Camelot.
Compulsively readable and heartbreaking. Just like a good Arthurian story should be.
Looking forward to reading "...Tiffany Gun."

Justjoust@aol.com

I recently received this book as a gift. I wasn't expecting that much, but I started on it quickly so I could discuss it in the thank you note I was needing to send. I was astounded, a great read, a great plot, and a great ending. This was my first Aaron Latham book and I was really pleased. This book could easily be on the best seller list if it's promoted correctly. I would have skipped right over it, expecting it to be just a Western. Code of the West is so much more.