Customer Reviews

A Tale Out of Luck: A Novel

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nelson and Blakely deliver an action-packed page-turner with far more substance than the average Western novel. While the mix of intrigue and suspense will keep readers on the trail, the enduring qualities of the characters are what set this novel apart.

Not bad... not bad at all. Willie Nelson and Mike Blakely give more than a tip of their hats to Larry McMurtry here -- but that's all right. The world could use a few more "Lonesome Dove" caliber books, in my opinion. This book isn't perfect. But it's fun and it draws you in. The main sticking point I feel is character development... several of the heroes in the book seem interchangable at times. The plot moves along nicely, even if it ties up rather neatly at the end and we need to suspend disbelief a bit on the way there. But all in all a fine, fun first effort.

First off, I will say I thoroughly enjoyed this book by both Willie Nelson AND Mike Blakely. This exciting page-turner doesn't trot, it rages at high speed. You will NOT get bored with the story Willie came up with and Mike penned. While there are a few plot twists in this one it was not difficult to keep up with. If all of Blakely's stories are this good, I have got to read them, and we know just how well Willie can spin his web of storytelling (Red Headed Stranger, and his gigantic song catalog, etc.), so in my honest opinion, it would be worth your while to take a trip to Luck yourself. The only wish I have about this tale is I would have liked to have had more background information on some of the characters. I felt the book, in it's entirety, was so well written and the characters were so easily made into heroes and villains for me that I was sad I had come to the end so soon. True, there are bits of character background information, but I feel if there would have been more, it would have only added to the already entertaining tale. It is almost like having mashed potatoes without the gravy. Sure, it is good the way it is and satisfying at the same time, but man that gravy would have made it lip-licking good. So I will end on that note, I'm getting hungry. Hey Beto, fix me some of that fried chicken to go with those potatoes! (After you've read the tale you'll know what I'm speaking of.)

So there I am downtown at my favourite bookseller, speaking to my confidential informant...'cause I'm always on the lookout for a good lead on a good read, when ************** (I gotta protect my sources), gives me the lowdown on this mystery/western written by none other than Willie Nelson,and Mike Blakely. It's the story of retired Texas Ranger Captain Hank Tomlinson, who wants to spend the rest of his days as a rancher just outside of Luck, Texas. Well any investigator worth his salt knows what happens when a Western lawman seeks a peacefull retirement...all Hell breaks loose! Once again I'm not going to reveal plot or character development, 'cause you know I don't ever want to spoil a great read, but I will tell you when you finish this unconventional western, you'll be hoping for a sequel real soon. My advice to you now Hoss, is to get on your Mustang...or whatever other method of transportation you got...and go see your favourite bookseller...and rope a copy for yourself...tell'em Johnny, Willie and Mike sent you!

I was intrigued to see that Willie Nelson wrote a book so I wanted to see what it was like. I found it to be full of action and quite interesting...however, some aspects seemed predictable and a little far-fetched. There were some actions/reactions that didn't seem to fit the moment but overall it was a good book. I liked the ending.

After all these years of writing and singing,along with starring in movies;Willie tries his hand at writing.
Where else would Willie go than to the Old West to create a novel.This is a subject near and dear to Willie.Born in Texas,having lived there all his life ,it is obvious the Old West is something that has great meaning to him.Why,if you believe in reincarnation,it is easy to imagine that Willie used to be part of it and has returned to show us what it was all about.As a matter of fact;Willie would not have to change one bit to fit right in in any of the old west towns like Dodge,Cheyenne,Deadwood,Leadville,Abeline,Tombstone etc.
In this novel set in Luck,Texas,he spins a true to life story involving cattle rustling,life on the range,owlhoots and just about everything that comprises a great "Western Novel"
As a longtime fan of westerns;I have no hesitation in saying that Willie has all the abilities that we have come to expect from a top western writer.
We have known that Willie has unimaginable talents in many areas;but I for one,had never suspected that he had such writing skills;but why shouldn't have I? Whillie has shown us over and over again,that he is a master of anything he tries.

A Tale Out of Luck Review

You take a legendary songwriter and celebrity from Texas, that has written many a perfect country song... then what do you do? Well, you take that success as far as you can go. While Willies twangy, nasal, off-beat, from the strange side of the farm voice, is perfect for Country Music. The uniqueness of his voice and genius of his phrasing is more or less lost on the pop world.

But the quality of his songs have crossed over everywhere to all genres. Just his song "Night Life" has been covered over 75 times and still going. Now songwriting and lyrics don't necessarily presage success in commentary, Philosophy, and novel writing.
So in addition to his acting career Willie has penned several books as well.
"The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes" in 2002. "The Tao of Willie" with Turk Pipken, Willie Nelson: An Epic Life with Joe Nick Patos. And in 2008 a Western with Mikle Blakely, A Spur award winning novelist in his own right. I've read the "Tao of Willie" and you have to give him credit for synthesizing the ancient Chinese Philosophy of Lao-Ztsu, and the Neo-Hippie Redneck system of Willie. Willie has always been a synthesizer of divergent groups and styles.

"A Tale Out of Luck" is his first Novel and while it may not be as masterful a novel as a Zane Grey or a Louis L'Amoure, still it fills the bill. There are plots and sub-plots and themes and sub-themes. A cast of characters including a black albino mustanger, Buffalo Soldiers, Texas Rangers, Texas Post Civil War Re-construction Police, Comanche's, and too, rustlers and ranchers and musicians. While perhaps not a masterpiece of western fiction writing, still it has a lot of heart and will take you back to the early days of Post-Civil War Texas.

Another feather for one of Willies many hats

I accidentally stumbled across this book and had nothing else to read at the time and thought 'why not?'
I have never been much of a fan of anything country really but tend to gravitate to things my Dad enjoys when missing him. Country stories or classic rock music a couple of those things. With all that said..

This book held an amazing tale that had me smiling so big at the end ^_^
Loved it!!

I have recently purchased this book and it came in a timely manner, in the condition advertised. I was happy with the purchase and would not hesitate to buy from this seller again. I love westerns and I love Willie Nelson's music. I have seen him in several movies and it turns out he is an excellent writer as well. I look forward to buying and reading more of his books.

An engaging Western from Willie Nelson. It has all requisite elements and surprisingly well-crafted. I hope we see more from Willie.