The Long Shadow by b.m. bower

8 reviews All reviews

earthtrap

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is an incredibly well-written, rip-roaring cowboy novel.

The story takes the reader on a thrilling adventure through the wild west, filled with action, excitement, and romance.

The characters are vividly brought to life, with their own unique personalities and backstories.

The author's descriptive writing style allows the reader to truly imagine themselves in the dusty towns, on the wide-open plains, and in the saddle beside the brave cowboys.

From the intense gunfights to the tender moments of love and friendship, this novel has it all.

It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good western or a thrilling adventure story.

So saddle up and get ready to be taken on a wild ride with this amazing cowboy novel.

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freddo_o

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I truly enjoyed the book to a great extent.

It is written in an extremely excellent manner. The storyline is not only captivating but also very good. It has the power to hold your interest firmly throughout.

From the very beginning, it grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the end.

The author has done a remarkable job in creating a world within the pages of the book that you can easily get lost in.

Every character is well-developed and adds to the overall charm of the story.

Overall, it is a book that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great read.

Very Good

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Tobiiverse

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I didn't get a chance in November to read any titles from my list of Bower works. So, I was extremely eager to finish at least one this month.

The Long Shadow was a bit darker than her typical 'Eastern Girl meets Western Cowboy and they fall in love at first sight' kind of story.

Yes, there was an Eastern Girl named Miss Flora Bridger. And yes, she met a Western Cowboy called Charming Billy Boyle. Why is he called Charming Billy? It's because he sings that song all the time, especially when he is happy. You know the one, right?

"Oh, where have you been, Billy boy, Billy boy? Oh, where have you been, charming Billy? I've been to see my wife, She's the joy of my life, She's a young thing and cannot leave her mother."

Humble apologies if the tune gets stuck in your head, but at least it will be out of mine now.

Anyway, they meet in a dramatic way and part of the story follows the course of true love. But the darker aspect of the story is about the change that is coming to the open range country. Civilization is encroaching, with its fences, plows, and farmers. What is a lifelong cowboy supposed to do when he realizes that his world is threatened by the menacing, long shadow of civilization?

"It was not a mere loss of dollars or of cattle or even of hopes; it was the rending, the tearing from him of a life he loved; it was the taking of the rangeland -- the wide, beautiful, weather-worn land—big and grand in its freedom of all that was narrow and sordid, and it was cutting and scarring it, harnessing it to the petty uses of a class he despised with all the frank egotism of a man who loves his own outlook; giving it over to the 'nester' and the 'rube' and burying the sweet-smelling grasses with plows."

Charming Billy and I were both nearly in tears at this point. I love wide open spaces and Nature in all her glory, and so did he. What will he do? How will he live without the very essence of his soul? Will that Eastern Girl help or hurt?

The other Bower titles I have read so far as part of this personal challenge have all been light-hearted romps through cattle country. The Long Shadow has a bit more of a sting, like a lazy breeze on a chilly autumn day, hinting at the gloomy winter that is just around the corner. Quite frankly, I was impressed with the added depth.

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Karkov05

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Great style.

I truly relished Bowers' writing. His characters were diverse yet highly realistic. Dilly, who might initially seem like a buffoon, is in fact an all-round good person. Billy and Flora represent the typical novelist's couple, striving to find their path to love. Pilgrim, on the other hand, begins as a good-for-nothing, has a moment of shining, and then succumbs to disgrace. Additionally, Bowers' descriptions of the landscape are excellent. They are not overly flowery but still manage to be picturesque. His ability to bring the settings to life adds an extra layer of depth to the story. It makes the reader feel as if they are actually there, experiencing the events along with the characters. Overall, Bowers' writing is a pleasure to read and leaves a lasting impression.

Great style.

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sofaspud

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is a good ‘ol cowboy story that takes an interesting turn as it delves into how the once vast and wide-open ranges began to be fenced-in.

The impact of this on the people in the story is explored in a captivating way. The good guys are extremely likable, with their charm and integrity shining through.

The bad guys, on the other hand, have complex and mixed characters, adding an element of mystery and danger.

The romance in the story is clean and纯真, adding a touch of sweetness.

However, there is some swearing here and there, which might not be to everyone's taste. Overall, it is an enjoyable read that will transport you to the wild west and keep you engaged from start to finish.

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Ampharaoh

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

The genus 'Classic Western' typically encompasses adventures featuring buffalo and Indians, thrilling rides across vast open prairies, rowdy bar-room brawls, incompetent tinpot sheriffs, outlaws with hidden hearts of gold, one or two intense shoot-outs, and perhaps, if fortune smiles, a gold or silver mine with a tepee nearby, all seemingly in a state of unconsciousness.

However, among the renowned names of Max Brand, Zane Grey, and Louis L'Amour, the name of B. M. Bower悄然emerges. She is a woman who writes westerns. Generally, Bower's novels are more grounded in reality compared to the typical Western. While the typical Western focuses on righting wrongs or dealing with actual crime by any means necessary, Bower's novels usually center around the legal rights of ranches, the men who manage them, and the livestock on them. Lawlessness is not the norm; instead, the means of enforcing the law and social sanctions seem to preoccupy her mind more than a simple shoot-out.

In this novel, The Long Shadow, Bower appears to encapsulate the entire history of mankind, from a nomadic existence to an agricultural life, as man transitions from a truly unfettered state to one of being confined and helpless.

A lawyer-turned-rancher and his foreman, a true cattle herder at heart, find themselves in ruins. First, the weather turns against them when a blizzard strikes in the dead of winter. Then, their neighbors on all sides begin to enclose or fence in their vast ranch lands, severing their property and cattle from major water lines and grazing areas. As the financial and legal consequences bear down on them, the cowboy foreman suggests taking a few of the boys and their six-shooters to clear the range of the fencers and the fences. However, the former lawyer knows that his neighbors, even the Indians, are within their legal rights to do as they please with their property, as long as they leave enough water in the creek so that the rancher's cattle don't die of thirst – which they have. The rancher is left with few options but to break his foreman's heart.

This is one of Bower's most realistic novels, testifying to the harsh realities of a rancher's life. Although the token villain is present, as is the romance for the escapist charm of the true dime Western.

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Korppi

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Cowboy yarn is a unique and fascinating material.

It has a rich history and is often associated with the wild west and the adventures of cowboys.

The yarn is typically thick and durable, making it perfect for creating items that can withstand the rigors of outdoor life.

It comes in a variety of colors, from earthy browns and tans to bold reds and blues.

Cowboy yarn can be used to make everything from blankets and rugs to hats and scarves.

Its texture adds a rustic charm to any project, and it is loved by crafters and enthusiasts alike.

Whether you are a seasoned cowboy or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and functionality of this unique yarn, there is no denying its appeal.

So, the next time you are looking for a new material to work with, consider giving cowboy yarn a try.

You might be surprised at the wonderful things you can create.

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ainkeK

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This was a public domain book. It dates back to 1908. I was casually reading it on my phone. I have this habit of often indulging in free old books as I just can't resist them. Usually, I don't take the trouble to read a lot of these books. However, in this case, I found myself really enjoying it and had a desire to read it seriously. I was initially reading on my phone. But then, I received a Kindle as a Christmas gift, and it made the reading experience even better. B.M. Bower was a highly productive western writer, and interestingly, she was a woman. I quite liked this particular book of hers, and I'm really looking forward to reading more of her works in the future.

I think it's fascinating to explore these old books and discover the talented writers from the past. The stories they tell can transport us to different times and places, and give us a unique perspective on history and culture.

I'm excited to see what other gems I'll uncover as I continue my journey of reading B.M. Bower's works and other old books. It's like embarking on a treasure hunt, and I can't wait to see what I'll find.

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