Nov 14 2008
Overview of Hanging Woman Creek by Louis L’amour
Hanging Woman Creek follows a very similar line to many of Louis L’amour’s novels, however this time though the main character is a regular cattle puncher the most noticeably absent plot device is the cattle drive. Pronto Pike hooks up with fellow rag-tag Eddie Holt and heads back west to find a job and a grub stake.
He spends the winter maintaining a line cabin in rough country for Bill Justin who is facing trouble with cattle rustlers. Unlike many stereotypical leading men, Pronto Pike is not handy with a pistol but rather focuses on doing the job at hand. He is not larger than life, but rather a practical man.
Together Pronto and Eddie solve the mystery of the rustlers and also manage to help save Ann Farley from certain death when the rustlers attack her.
Once again L’amour’s treatment of the west is given in vivid detail with masterful descriptions and characterizations. Hanging Woman Creek is a bit removed from what could be expected by reading one of the Sackett novels and provides a bit of insight into a piece of the west that many might find unfamiliar.
