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Ernest Haycox: The Unsung Master of the Western

Jared Powell

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Ernest Haycox was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1899. He grew up on a ranch in Eastern Oregon, and his experiences there would later provide the inspiration for many of his stories. Haycox began writing Western stories in the 1920s, and his work quickly gained recognition. He published his first novel, The Wild Bunch, in 1931, and it was an immediate success.

Ernest Haycox and the Western

by Richard W. Etulain

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9243 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	199 pages
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Haycox's Westerns were different from the dime novels and pulp fiction that were popular at the time. His stories were more realistic and character-driven, and they often explored the social and economic issues that faced the American West. Haycox's characters were complex and flawed, and his stories often dealt with themes of violence, redemption, and the search for meaning in a harsh and unforgiving land.

Haycox was a prolific writer, and he published over 50 novels and 200 short stories during his career. His work was highly praised by critics, and he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1942 for his novel Bugles in the Afternoon. Haycox's work continues to be enjoyed by readers today, and he is considered one of the most important writers of the Western genre.

The Western Genre

The Western genre is a type of fiction that is set in the American West during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Western stories often feature cowboys, outlaws, Native Americans, and other characters who lived on the frontier. The Western genre is known for its action and adventure, but it can also explore themes of violence, redemption, and the search for meaning in a harsh and unforgiving land.

Ernest Haycox was one of the most important writers of the Western genre. His stories captured the spirit of the American West, and his work continues to be enjoyed by readers today. Haycox's Westerns are more realistic and character-driven than many other Western stories, and they often explore the social and economic issues that faced the American West.

Ernest Haycox's Legacy

Ernest Haycox died in 1950, but his legacy continues to live on. His work has been translated into over 20 languages, and his stories have been adapted into films and television shows. Haycox's work is still considered some of the best writing in the Western genre, and he is considered one of the most important writers of the 20th century.

If you are a fan of the Western genre, then you owe it to yourself to read Ernest Haycox. His stories are classic examples of the genre, and they offer a unique and unforgettable glimpse into the American West.

Ernest Haycox, The Master Of The Western Genre Ernest Haycox And The Western

Bibliography

Haycox, Ernest. The Wild Bunch. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1931.
Haycox, Ernest. Bugles in the Afternoon. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1942.
Lamar, Howard R. Ernest Haycox: A Critical Companion. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2003.

Ernest Haycox and the Western

by Richard W. Etulain

4.4 out of 5