The Gunfight [Paperback]

Richard Matheson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1993

From the Spur Award-winning author of Journal of the Gun Years, a story about the fastest shooting lawman in the West. John Benton has hung up his gun for the one woman who could tame him--his wife, Julia. But a girl in his Colorado town starts a snowball of malicious gossip that forces him to strap on his guns again.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ex-Texas Ranger John Benton was once known as the fastest gun in the West, and his legend still looms large in Kellville, Texas. Louisa Harper, in an attempt to hasten a slowly blooming romance with her nebbishy fiance Robby Coles, lies to her suitor about untoward advances made by the retired lawman. Mustering his courage, Robby approaches Benton at the local saloon to demand an apology. News of the ensuing scuffle travels fast, eventually reaching Louisa's spinster aunt Agatha, the town busybody, and Robby's control-freak father, Matthew. As eager to tarnish Benton's popularity as he is to avoid being branded the father of a coward, the elder Coles goads his son into defending his fiancee's honor in a duel. The impending conflict is further ensured by Agatha's self-righteous fury. Meanwhile, Benton, equally misguided by his own notion of honor, must clear up the misunderstanding before he is forced into a shootout which would likely result in young Coles's death. Matheson ( Journal of the Gun Years ) has crafted an engrossing account of the frequently deadly consequences of mistaking vanity for honor.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA-In Millview, Texas, on August 13, 1871, lawman John Benton took off his gun and swore never to wear it again. Eight years later, he is forced to rethink his decision when an innocent young woman, Louisa Harper, tries to make her boyfriend jealous with a story that the famous officer made advances toward her. Goaded by his father and friends to defend Louisa's honor, Robby challenges Benton to a gunfight. Written in the traditional Western style, this substantive story addresses several moral issues, and the rather illusive term "honor" is made crystal clear. YAs will identify with Louisa and Robby, and will understand the damages, dangers, and far-reaching implications of lying about another person. An action-packed, suspenseful tale.
Carol P. Clark, R.E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 10 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (September 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425139018
• ISBN-13: 978-0425139011
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #412,878 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Matheson was born in 1926. He began publishing SF with his short story 'Born of Man and Woman' in 1950. I Am Legend was published in 1954 and subsequently filmed as The Omega Man (in 1971), starring Charlton Heston, and I Am Legend (in 2007), starring Will Smith. Matheson wrote the script for the film The Incredible Shrinking Man, an adaptation of his second SF novel The Shrinking Man. The film won a Hugo award in 1958. He wrote many screenplays as well as episodes of The Twilight Zone. He continued to write short stories and novels, some of which formed the basis for film scripts, including Duel, directed by Steven Spielberg in 1971. A film of his novel What Dreams May Come was released in 1998, starring Robin Williams. Stephen King has cited Richard Matheson as a creative influence on his work.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most climactic novel ever writen. One of the best!, February 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gunfight (Paperback)

This book is un-doubtedly one of the best novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It was definately "the most" climactic novel ever. I was shaking near the end as I read. You can really feel with the characters. The ending was shocking and disturbing. This is the best western I have ever read, the only other westerns I've read have been trashy supermarket paperbacks. Richard Matheson is THE MAN. He is THE WRITER. No one can deny it. Stephen King and many other writers compliment every piece of writing that Richard Matheson has ever writen. It's sad though how something that Stephen King writes automatically becomes a number one best seller when this book is forgotten and barely read by anyone. I've never read the Journal of the Gun Years, but after reading this, I will. I also look forward to reading other books by Richard Matheson. Richard Matheson builds a climax like no one else can. His stories are all exciting, interesting and totally en-grosing. This is THE MOST engrosing novel I have ever read. It's a landmark in literature. It's flawless. Read it if you can. It's a masterpiece.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Tension Leading to an Exciting Climax!, February 5, 2004

By 

Michael A. Newman (New York) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Gunfight (Paperback)

A slightly different kind of western novel. A man (Benton) tired of the killing, especially after killing a teen, leaves the Texas Rangers and decides to start a new "quiet" life with his wife. Benton has decided that he will no longer wear a gun and he settles in a small town with his wife.

Even though Benton has left his former life behind, his reputation comes with him. All the townsfolk fear getting him riled and all the young girls seem to "moon" over him. A lie by one of these "mooners" starts a whole chain of events in motion.

An engaged teen girl tries to make her fiancée a little jealous by telling him that Benton made "suggestions" to her. Young Robby Coles goes straight to Benton to defend her honor with his "fists." Coles loses that little skirmish. However, the townsfolk will not let it go. Rumors go around the town fuelled by his controlling father and his fiancée's aunt that will force Coles and Benton into a duel for "nothing."

The book highlights a time where "honor" was more important than "truth." It is a very short book culminating in the final duel that can't be avoided. I highly enjoyed the book and Matheson does a great job in building up the tension as Benton and Coles do all that they can, in vain, to prevent having to fight. I would have rated it higher if the book was bigger and maybe gave a little more into the psyche of Benton. Also, I felt the ending was a little bit cut short and maybe could use an epilogue.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good companion, December 27, 2009

By 

Howard L. Mintz (West Roxbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gun Fight (Mass Market Paperback)

After reading the jacket at the airport store, I was a bit skeptical. It was the only western available. The publisher indicated a common plot with a predictable outcome. Perhaps, the prospective reader might realize that the obvious was not to be the result.

The Gunfight was a great companion during flight. Mr. Matheson added much to excellent action and characterization. Themes such as the deadliness of gossip, the devastating effects of fear of public opinion, false assumptions, family verbal abuse and ostracization were well portrayed

The final scene was absorbing,revealing,and true of human nature. I will look forward to reading other books by the author.