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The Diezmo: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.05) - 154 listener ratings
Publisher Description
Author Rick Bass has won the Pushcart Prize and the O. Henry and PEN/Nelson Algren Awards for his short fiction. With The Diezmo he crafts a stirring novel that sheds light on an extraordinary but little-known episode of Texas history. When Sam Houston organizes an attack into Mexico, the gloryseeking Texans are overwhelmed. Captured, they face the terrible Diezmo-a game of chance that ensures every 10th man will be killed.
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"A literary exploration into Historical Fiction about a raid into Mexico for revenge on bandits that raided Texas. The main character relates the story of their adventures, capture, escapes, and imprisonment. A wonderful read. Every time I pick up Rick Bass, I am left happy that I have read his work."
— Brian (4 out of 5 stars)
The Diezmo Listener Reviews
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" Entertaining but it essentially reads like a poor man's Cormac McCarthy novel. "
— Paul, 8/6/2013 -
" Adv story about 1842 Texas and two young men join up "
— David, 4/7/2013 -
" I was reading In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson alongside of Rick Bass' Diezmo. No comparison- In the Garden of Beasts is a much superior historical fiction novel. I was never really engaged in the story or character for Diezmo. "
— Monica, 4/2/2013 -
" Billed as a novel, it was more like a chronicle about ill-fated volunteers who invaded Mexico in the 1830s. A narrative of facts and descriptions told first person from the perspective of 40+ years later. Interesting concept. Very well written. "
— Kae, 12/31/2012 -
" Rick Bass tries historical fiction. "
— Clayton, 12/12/2012 -
" I understand Bass's need to expand his horizons a little past the nature loving books... I just don't enjoy them as much. Still, worth reading. "
— Travis, 11/15/2011 -
" Not my favorite Rick Bass work, but well-written nonetheless. The most tellling aspect of my experience with this read was that I wanted it to be over so I could move on to something else... "
— Megan, 9/20/2011 -
" Rick Bass is a genius with short stories. He can show characters in such subtle ways it takes your breath away. Of his novels, I've read only one, this one. Meh. "
— R.W.W., 8/1/2011 -
" Technically, I tried to read it. It just wasn't my cup of tea. I gave it to my brother. "
— Rosemary, 7/19/2011 -
" Another great historical western; both literary and gutsy in the spirit and tradition of Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry. "
— Kerry, 5/6/2011 -
" Pretty damn good. Could have been better somehow. "
— Mike, 4/15/2011 -
" Rick Bass is a genius with short stories. He can show characters in such subtle ways it takes your breath away. Of his novels, I've read only one, this one. Meh. "
— Rob, 4/13/2011 -
" Billed as a novel, it was more like a chronicle about ill-fated volunteers who invaded Mexico in the 1830s. A narrative of facts and descriptions told first person from the perspective of 40+ years later. Interesting concept. Very well written. "
— Kae, 2/4/2011 -
" Adv story about 1842 Texas and two young men join up "
— David, 3/26/2010 -
" Pretty damn good. Could have been better somehow. "
— Mike, 6/16/2009 -
" Entertaining but it essentially reads like a poor man's Cormac McCarthy novel. "
— Paul, 11/21/2008 -
" Another great historical western; both literary and gutsy in the spirit and tradition of Cormac McCarthy and Larry McMurtry. "
— Kerry, 2/11/2008 -
" Not my favorite Rick Bass work, but well-written nonetheless. The most tellling aspect of my experience with this read was that I wanted it to be over so I could move on to something else... "
— Megan, 10/18/2007
About Rick Bass
Rick Bass is an American author of numerous award-winning works of fiction and nonfiction. His memoir Why I Came West was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. His short fiction, which has appeared in the New Yorker, the Atlantic, Esquire, and the Paris Review, as well as numerous times in Best American Short Stories, has earned him multiple O. Henry Awards and Pushcart Prizes as well as NEA and Guggenheim fellowships. He was born and raised in Texas, worked as a petroleum geologist in Mississippi, and has lived in Montana’s Yaak Valley for almost three decades.