Riders of the Purple Sage (Dramatized) (Abridged) Audiobook

" I don't think I've ever read any "classic" western fiction, so this was an experiment. It was actually pretty enjoyable. I mean, there weren't a lot of surprises, and it wasn't exactly PC, but it was diverting. I can see the appeal, even though I probably won't be reading any more of Grey's work. "

" I'm surprised at all the great reviews this book is getting. I had to stretch quite a bit to give it two stars. I gave it two stars only because some of the action was exciting, and Grey did get me to care about Lassiter and his quest for vengeance. However, I'm being generous. The story telling was pedestrian at best. The dialogue was so ridiculously melodramatic, it was all I could do to keep reading. The plot was filled with painfully obvious "mysteries" and fabulous coincidences that were painful to read. Simply not believable, nor well crafted enough to be called good literature. If all you want is a mindless western shoot-em-up (with a strange overwrought hatred of Mormons, by the way,) then this could be the book for you. That said, I'd suggest The Border Trilogy or The Oxbow Incident, if you want to read a western with some literary meat on its bones. "

" My special topics lit class this semester is "representation of mormons in literature and film." This was the first book we read and is was definately anti-mormon. Having said that, it was really entertaining if not a little frustrating. "

" This is a great book. I could almost smell the sage and see the place. I see why it has lasted. "

" Possibly his most famous book, but I still like "Nevada" better. "

" I read this for the book club at our library. I'd not read a western for a long time, but I loved it. Love and hate, religion and horses, nature at it's best. A wonderful book. "

" Great companion book while driving through Southern Utah! My imagination was able to envision the canyons and Grey's sweeping landscapes much better after a week out west. The male characters were rich and well developed but I could never fully understand, or even like, Jane. A few predictable plot twists didn't ruin it for me. "

" Part of my giving this book 5 stars is the fact that I listened to the audio version. I loved the reader, his way with voices, and his very Western rhythms. Fun story, too. "

" I found this book to be, first and foremost, anti-Mormon, and I am not Mormon. "

" If you only read one book by Zane Gray this is the one to read. It's been over 20 years since I read it. I barely recall the plot, something about rogue Mormans. I recall thinking it was good rood for a western. "

" Very good story. I liked it much more than I thought I would. I listened to this on a Playaway and followed along with my Dad's very old copy dated 1912 and thought of him reading this very book. "

" The book would have been decent western, but Grey's animosity towards Mormon's made it more of a twisted Mormon bashing book unfounded on any logic. It would have worked if he had made the individuals corrupt rather than the religion. "

" As always an excellent western "

" So, I am currently a teensy weensy obsessed with polygamy. Go figure, but this was in the card catalog as having "polygamy" as one of its subjects! "

" Another unexpected new favorite. There's romance, religious hypocrisy, more romance, western style swashbuckling, (I LOVE a good swashbuckle!) and a satisfying ending. "

" I very much enjoyed this old classic western. "

" I was shocked by this famous book. It is incredibly, baldfaced, overt anti Mormon. Mormons are the bad guys, murderers, rustlers. This book was written and serialized in popular magazines in 1912. I can't help but think this opinion was commonly accepted among non Mormons in the early 20th century. "

" I love Zane Grey novels, but prefer those set in the mountains and woods instead of the barren desert. In addition, I don't care for the pervading Mormon influence. "

" For a book that is considered one of the definitive works of the western genre, this seemed ridiculously heavy on the romance. But then, I have never claimed to be a fan of westerns (at least, not ones set in this galaxy...) "

" This book, and others by Zane Grey, are responsible for my fondness for Westerns. Lassiter is a wonderful hero, the plot is complex and the descriptions vivid. It's a classic for a reason. "

" 'Riders of the Purple Sage' ... what can I say about you other than, "EXCELLENT!" You're a western that has a poetic way of describing the landscape, has a solid amount of adventure, and fascinating characters. You're a western for people who don't usually read westerns. Thumbs up, friend. "

" My favorite Zane Grey book! Great characters, lots of action and even a romance. Learned about lot about bison and the hunters, too. "

" A good western read includes interesting outside look of the Mormons of Southern Utah. "

" Very early western novel. Too much romance. "

" I haven't read a Zane Grey novel in years, but I recalled from before that his descriptions of western landscapes were nearly epic. And so they are. Worthy reading for that alone. "

" Ok, now I can say I've read one western. "

" I found this book to be quite an eye opener of the way the Mormons lived in Western Utah in the turn of the century. Breathtaking narrative on the landscape of the Sage plains and horsemanship. "

" A good western read includes interesting outside look of the Mormons of Southern Utah. "

" I am sure that my review is skewed by the fact that my dad and I each read so many Zane Grey and I have fond memories of my own cowboy father. "

" I've been curious about this book for years. It was a fun read, but deserves all the criticism it receives. The writing is very hyperbolic and not in a good way. It is easy to see where it started so many Western cliches. "

" I would be a liar if I said I did not enjoy reading this book at all.Beyond that, not so sure what to say. The plot, obviously, is somewhat bankrupt, not surprising for what it is. But, entertaining anyway. "