Hondo by Louis L’Amour

Hondo Lane is a hardened survivor, shaped by the desert's relentless winds and knowledgeable in the ways of the Apache. Angie Lowe is a determined woman raising her young son alone on a remote ranch. Their lives intersect amidst the brewing conflict between the Apache and the white settlers. As Vittoro, a formidable Apache warrior, prepares his people for battle, Hondo and Angie must navigate a complex web of alliances and betrayals. Their story is one of courage, loyalty, and the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity. The novel captures the raw beauty and danger of the frontier, with vivid descriptions of the landscape and the cultural clashes that define the era. It's a tale of survival, love, and the moral ambiguities of a time when the lines between right and wrong were often blurred.

Reviews

Reddit - r/books · 2026-01-15

solid 3.50

Louis L'Amour is a master of Westerns, and while Hondo may not be his best work, it still offers good characters and a solid story.

This reviewer holds Louis L'Amour in high regard as one of the kings of Western literature. While they acknowledge that Hondo may not be his finest work, they still appreciate the strong characters and engaging story that L'Amour brings to the table. The novel is easy to read and offers a satisfying narrative that keeps the reader engaged. They found the characters to be well-developed and the plot to be compelling, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre. Overall, they believe that Hondo is a solid addition to L'Amour's body of work, even if it doesn't reach the heights of his other novels.

Quick quotes

Louis L'Amour in my opinion is one of the kings of Western; easy reading, good characters and a solid story.

Hondo is not his best work but I still enjoyed it for what it was.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is compelling, making it a worthwhile read for fans of the genre.

Hardcover · Debi Cates · 2020-08-25

disappointing 2.00

The story feels outdated with expected tropes and lacks insight into human nature. The plot is weak and relies heavily on traditional Western themes.

Debi Cates found the story to be somewhat disappointing, feeling that it relied too much on outdated tropes and lacked depth in its exploration of human nature. The plot was weak, and the characters felt one-dimensional, which made it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level. While the action sequences were entertaining, the overall story felt formulaic and unoriginal. They felt that the novel missed an opportunity to delve into more complex themes and character development, which would have elevated it above the typical Western fare.

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The story was where it was weak. It was an old fashioned John Wayne type Western, full of expected tropes, with little insight into human nature.

The plot was weak, and the characters felt one-dimensional, which made it difficult to connect with them on a deeper level.

While the action sequences were entertaining, the overall story felt formulaic and unoriginal.

The Edge of the Precipice · 2013-09-10

engaging 4.00

The landscape and characters are beautifully drawn to complement each other. Hondo Lane's character is as hard and dry as the desert, while Angie Lowe's character adds depth to the story.

This reviewer really appreciates how the landscape and characters are intricately woven together in this novel. Hondo Lane's ruggedness mirrors the harsh desert environment, creating a vivid and immersive setting. Angie Lowe's character adds a layer of complexity to the story, making it more than just a typical Western. They found the interplay between the characters and their surroundings to be particularly compelling, enhancing the overall reading experience. The story is not just about action and adventure but also about the deeper connections between people and their environment.

Quick quotes

I love the way the landscape and characters are drawn to complement each other -- Hondo Lane is hard and dry like the desert, while Angie Lowe is softer and more nurturing.

The story is not just about action and adventure but also about the deeper connections between people and their environment.

The interplay between the characters and their surroundings is particularly compelling, enhancing the overall reading experience.

Appears in Lists

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