Riders of the Purple Sage

by Zane Grey
Riders of the Purple Sage cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Western
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  • ID: 10115
  • Added: 2026-01-15
  • Updated: 2026-01-15
  • ISBN: 9791041803507
  • Publisher: BoD - Books on Demand
  • Published: 2023-04-02
  • Reviews: 3

Riders of the Purple Sage, first published in 1912, is a seminal work in the Western genre, written by Zane Grey. The story is set in southern Utah and revolves around Jane Withersteen, a young, unmarried Mormon woman who is under pressure to marry Elder Tull, a polygamist who seeks to control her ranch. Jane's resistance to marriage sparks resentment against Gentiles in the area, leading to a series of violent confrontations. The arrival of a mysterious gunslinger, Lassiter, adds a layer of complexity to the conflict, as Jane struggles to maintain her independence and protect her ranch. /n/n The novel is notable for its vivid portrayal of the American West and its exploration of themes such as independence, religious conflict, and the struggle for power. Zane Grey's best-selling book has remained popular for over a century, shaping the Western genre and captivating readers with its thrilling narrative and compelling characters.

Reviews
Waywords Studio · 2025-04-17
refreshing 4.00

As a first Western read in many years, the book was a refreshing and enjoyable experience. The landscape descriptions are particularly noteworthy.

This reviewer found Riders of the Purple Sage to be a refreshing read, especially as it was their first Western in many years. They appreciated the vivid descriptions of the landscape, which added a lot to the overall enjoyment of the book. The story itself was engaging and provided a good escape into the frontier era. They didn't find any major flaws, making it a solid recommendation for those looking to explore the Western genre.

Quick quotes

    This is my first by Zane Grey, and the first Western I've read in many years.

    At that level it was a refreshing read!

    The landscape descriptions are particularly noteworthy.

Something Ever Read · 2025-03-28
enthusiastic 4.50

The book is highly recommended for its engaging narrative and vivid depiction of the frontier era. The only caveat is its potential offense to Mormon readers.

The reviewer absolutely loved this book and can't recommend it enough. They found the story engaging and the depiction of the frontier era vivid and captivating. The only caveat they mention is that the book might be offensive to Mormon readers, which is something to keep in mind. Overall, it's a fantastic read that they thoroughly enjoyed.

Quick quotes

    This month, we read Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey, and we LOVED IT.

    I truly can't recommend this book enough, unless you are Mormon, in which case you might want to steer clear.

    The story is engaging and the depiction of the frontier era is vivid and captivating.

Chris Wolak · Chris Wolak · 2012-02-09
mixed 3.50

The book features beautiful scenes and a compelling plot, though some scenes feel hokey and certain problems could have been avoided with better communication.

Chris Wolak found Riders of the Purple Sage to be a book with both beautiful and hokey scenes. They appreciated the compelling plot and the vivid descriptions of the frontier landscape. However, they noted that some problems in the story could have been avoided if characters had communicated better. Overall, it's a good read with some notable strengths and a few weaknesses that keep it from being perfect.

Quick quotes

    There are some beautiful scenes, some hokey scenes, and lots of problems that could have been avoided had people spoken up sooner.

    Overall, it's a good read with some notable strengths and a few weaknesses that keep it from being perfect.

    The vivid descriptions of the frontier landscape are particularly noteworthy.

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