While I preferred "Stoner," John Williams' poignant study of an academic, "Butcher's Crossing is memorable for its 40 page depiction of a cross country journey to find a buffalo herd. The interactions of nature and the men's personalities are outlined with bursts of lyrical eloquence and masculine graphic posturing.
If one admires the Western genre--and I must---for I have read my fair share of them--this is a must, because it does foreshadow writers like McCarthy. I would be willing to bet he and others in the generic field have read "Butcher's Crossing," and have been influenced by it.
It's not "Annie Get Your Gun," to be sure; if you want that, put on the CD! With Ethel Merman, of course! "Butcher's Crossing" is a blend of visual splendor and ruggedness that washes over one like the painting that illustrates its cover.
If you care about the Western genre, darlings, this is a must read!!!!!!!!!!!
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