From AudioFile
The Virginian, manly cowpuncher of the Wild West, wins the heart of a schoolteacher from Vermont. Brave, unassuming and sensitive, he saves the county from horse thieves, caters to an obsessive chicken named Emily and sweeps the young teacher off her feet with his reinterpretation of Browning. Winiarski succeeds in animating the Virginian's wit and mannerisms although his drawl is unconvincing. His female voices are smooth and natural. The reading quickly draws attention away from itself and to the details of each scene. The presentation leaves the listener with many vivid and memorable scenes, but the story loses its resonance in abridgment. E.S.B. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

FROM THE PUBLISHER

In the untamed West, pioneers came to test their fortunes -- and their wills. The Wyoming territory was a harsh, unforgiving land, with its own unwritten code of honor by which men lived and died. Into this rough landscape rides the Virginian, a solitary man whose unbending will is his only guide through life. The Virginian's unwavering beliefs in right and wrong are soon tested as he tries to prove his love for a woman who cannot accept his sense of justice; at the same time, a betrayal by his most trusted friend forces him to fight against the corruption that rules the land.

Still as exciting and meaningful as it was when first published one hundred years ago, Owen Wister's epic tale of a man caught between his love for a woman and his quest for justice exemplifies one of the most significant and enduring themes in all of American literature. With remarkable character depth and vivid passages, The Virginian stands not only as the first great novel of American Western literature, but as a testament to the eternal struggle between good and evil in humanity. With an engaging new introduction by Gary Scharnhorst, professor of English at the University of New Mexico, this volume is an indispensable addition to the library of American Western literature.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile

Wister's Western classic, first popular at the turn of the century, established the stereotypes for the cowboy hero, heroine/schoolmarm, shoot-outs at sundown, and rustlers. Recorded many times, the story never fails to engage. This full-cast program with the St. Charles Players troupe features sound effects and music throughout. What this adaptation lacks in subtlety, the cast makes up in enthusiasm. The flavor of the Wild West in early days comes through. R.F.W. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine

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