Durango: A Novel [Paperback]

John B. Keane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 1992

Durango is an adventure story about the great October cattle drive of Tubberlick. Set in rural Ireland during the Second World War, this novel features the themes of love, sex, money and betrayal. Durango has been made into a film starring Brenda Fricker, Patrick Bergin and Pat Laffin.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Popular Irish writer Keane (whose play The Field was the basis for the 1991 film) uses the early days of WWII to tell a rousing adventure story set in the rural Irish hills. Mark Doran, a young man who has taken over the family farm after the death of his father, recognizes that the war will drive cattle prices up because of Britain's need to feed its army, and he understands that local prices are not competitive. So he puts together a major cattle drive of 200 animals and heads for the larger and more lucrative town of Trallock Fair. Meanwhile, he is finally beginning to admit to himself that his feelings for lovely next-door neighbor Annie Mullanney are serious, but her loud and boisterous father, Haystack, has made it clear he won't take anyone's interest in his youngest daughter kindly. Mark is also subject to the increasingly seductive and blatant charms of Sally McCarthy, whose father is an influential local publican strongly opposed to the cattle drive. The drive is the spine of the tale, but the colorful characters?including an Irish army deserter and the unforgettable sisters who own the Durango bar?make it sing. Keane tells his story with a wink in his eye and a voice inflated to just the right mock-epic Blarney pitch for this warm, delightful and thoroughly unbelievable tale.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 329 pages
• Publisher: Mercier Press (November 11, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1856350010
• ISBN-13: 978-1856350013
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,694,726 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A tale from the REAL wild west!, August 4, 2000

By 

Sailoil - See all my reviews

This review is from: Durango (Hardcover)

That's the wild west of Ireland. There are so many things to tell about this book where do you start. The memorable scene where a clapped out bull fit only for the meatyard rouses himself to perform his swansong and in the process commands a bulls price at the fair, the naked leprechauns, the immoral ladies on their last fling with the fine young men. Keane is at his best when he is being irreverent, and this has to be his most irreverent book of all. Totally shocking and in the best tradition of Irish rural literature -every word of it is true!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So much more than a Hallmark moment!, June 20, 2000

By 

Gerard V. Furey - See all my reviews

This review is from: Durango (Hardcover)

This is a bonafide cattledrive novel. The fact that it takes place in Ireland of the 40's doesn't make it less exciting. There's bad guys and good guys and sweet colleens (not to mention some hootchycootchy kind of gals!) The forces of nature play a major part (both good and bad) in life on the trail. You get a true feeling for Irish country life and love and honor and pride. The characters are worth a story each, from a lascivious old widow to a gun toting Minister (yes, not everyone is Catholic)! Hallmark made a sickly sweet TV movie out of this wonderful novel, cutting out the murder and most of the mayhem. (NOW are you interested?)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars hilarious and charming story, September 1, 2000

By 

M. Lilliquist (Bellingham, Washington USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Durango (Hardcover)

Reading this wonderful book made me feel like I was sitting in some public house in Ireland, listening to an old master storyteller spin a yarn about memorable characters in situations both dire and ridiculous; and it reminded me of the value of the often-neglected art of genuine storytelling. I felt as if I had come to know the characters as real people, and I judged myself the better for having made their acquaintance. And did I meantion that the book is hilarious? The unforgettable attack of the little people is not to be missed!