Jan 10 2009
Dodie Saxon in Louis L’amour’s Heller With A Gun
Dodie Saxon gives a bit of insight into Louis L’amour’s perception of young women, and perhaps what he considered to be an ideal woman. In modern terms Dodie Saxon would be considered a minor, not legally able to make her own decisions, let alone manage her own career as an actress. For this reason she can appear more than a little presumptuous to the modern reader.
She is strong-willed, very forward, but also intelligent and a hard worker. She is not afraid of doing what needs to be done, not only to keep order in their camp but to protect the troup in their travels. Her courage, is one of the points that makes her attractive to the reader and to Mabry.
Most of L’amour’s other women are much more like Janice in both personality and physical description. Dodie is a bit of a departure for L’amour, but this departure makes Dodie feel fresher and more adventurous for the seasoned L’amour reader.
Overall I like the portrayal of Dodie Saxon. She gives the book a different feel and adds a dimension to the story that otherwise would not exist.
