Official Review: Alone on Pasture Ridge by J. R. Hightower

[unamilagra]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Alone on Pasture Ridge" by J. R. Hightower.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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In 1870s Texas, nineteen-year-old Rob Wilson has just lost his entire family to typhoid fever. After burying his little sister, Rob decides he cannot stay in his home. He sells his ranch, and he and his best friend Jessie head off to New Mexico for a fresh start. Once there, they go about the business of locating land for their new ranch, acquiring cattle, and registering their brand. In the meantime, Rob meets people from all walks of life and discovers that there is more than one way to make a family.

Alone on Pasture Ridge by J. R. Hightower is a historical fiction novel told primarily from the third-person point of view of Rob, although the perspective switches briefly to other characters from time to time. The novel presents a good example of what it would be like to live in southern New Mexico in the 1870s. Rob befriends some Mescalero Apache Indians and Mexicans, and he even becomes close with a coyote.

My favorite part of this novel was the exploration of the different cultures, such as some of the beliefs and customs of the Apache Indians. I particularly enjoyed the focus on the theme of the coyote and the Apache belief that the coyote can be the spirit of a departed loved one working to keep you safe. Rob’s relationship with his coyote, Duke, helps him earn the respect and admiration of the Indians he meets. Since my favorite part about historical fiction novels is learning about other cultures, I wish this book would have focused more on themes similar to this one.

Unfortunately, that is where my praise for this novel ends. To be honest, I found it difficult to get through. The first half of the book was extremely slow, simply providing a blow by blow report of Rob and Jessie scouting for and setting up their new ranch. The dialogue was boring and scripted, consisting of the men reporting on the various geological formations or describing how they planned to accomplish tasks in a way that would have been better left to the narrator. About halfway through the book, the story picked up a bit, and while I wouldn’t say it was an exciting read, I did find it easier to finish.

The primary shortcoming of this book was the lack of a main story arc. There was no central problem, no suspense or rising action, and no exciting climax to the book. Rob’s difficulties were few and were all easily overcome. The main antagonist of the book only appeared three times, and even he was simple to deal with. At the end of the book, there was an event which was meant to be the suspenseful climax of the story, but it was written in such a way that the reader never had to question whether everything would turn out okay in the end.

Another issue I had with the book was the lack of character development. Everywhere Rob went, he impressed people and won their goodwill and assistance with his polite manners. He was an excellent leader, and he always had a cool head in times of trouble or stress. He never had room to grow during the story. I found this to be extremely unrealistic when speaking about a nineteen-year-old boy, especially one who had just experienced the trauma of burying his entire family. The other characters were flat as well. The romantic element of the story was boring because the author didn’t take the time to delve into either of the characters or their relationship.

In addition to the writing deficiencies, this book was not professionally edited. I found in excess of ten typographical errors, primarily missing periods and unnecessary commas. I ultimately decided to give this book 2 out of 4 stars, because I did enjoy some of the cultural elements included in the story. As someone who loves historical fictions with a wild west theme, I had high hopes for the book but was ultimately disappointed. I would only recommend this to someone who is extremely interested in geography and topography or who likes to read “a day in the life” style books.

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Alone on Pasture Ridge
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Great work on the review. I will take you up on the recommendation. I do like reading about Apache Indians but geography not much.

[Sam Ibeh]

I'm not so much of a historical book lover. With your review, I'm definitely taking a pass on this one. However, I love the authenticity of your review. I felt your honesty in every sentence you made. Great job Unamilagra.

[kandscreeley]

I can't imagine what it would be like to lose your entire family to this kind of a disease. It's too bad this one starts out so slowly, though, as I know I wouldn't make it through the first half of the novel. Hopefully the author can revise it a bit and make it truly enjoyable to everyone. Thanks!

[ChainsawCat]

Ha. Thank you for the honest review. I particularly like the recommendation for "someone who is extremely interested in geography and topography"-- surely such a person would prefer a non-fiction source, but maybe it would be fun to check this book against real topography for consistency.

[Kelyn]

It's unfortunate that the author did such a poor job with characterization, that's one of the main things I enjoy when I read. I love that the author included cultural elements of the Apache. American Indian cultures have always fascinated me. As is, I think I will give this one a pass. Thanks for the honest review!

[juliusotieno02]

The exploration of different cultures sounds great, especially now that it's historical. I think this book will please me. Thanks for the review.

[Manang Muyang]

Geography and topography are not among my interests, but I am intrigued that a person and a coyote can be friends. That may not be enough reason for me to go to Pasture Ridge, though.

[kdstrack]

The cultural information about the Apaches would be interesting, but the rest of the book would be a struggle. Thanks for your honest review

[Daniel simon]

I don't have much to say but I think the writer should do the SQ3R strategy before uploading

[Letora]

Thank you for your review. I will have to pass on this one. Without a real plot, it's just a stream of conscious writing. I don't think there would be anything to really keep my attention.

[Alice Heritage]

I share your and others' interest in the native American wisdom and the legend of the coyote, but it does sound more like a memoir than a story with tension and character development. That's why I often find memoirs unsatisfying.

[unamilagra]

Great work on the review. I will take you up on the recommendation. I do like reading about Apache Indians but geography not much.

Thank you so much for the comment and the compliment!

I'm not so much of a historical book lover. With your review, I'm definitely taking a pass on this one. However, I love the authenticity of your review. I felt your honesty in every sentence you made. Great job Unamilagra.

Thank you so much! That is so kind of you.

I can't imagine what it would be like to lose your entire family to this kind of a disease. It's too bad this one starts out so slowly, though, as I know I wouldn't make it through the first half of the novel. Hopefully the author can revise it a bit and make it truly enjoyable to everyone. Thanks!

Had I not committed to reviewing the book I would have given up on it too. Thank goodness it picked up in the second half. Thanks for your comment!

Ha. Thank you for the honest review. I particularly like the recommendation for "someone who is extremely interested in geography and topography"-- surely such a person would prefer a non-fiction source, but maybe it would be fun to check this book against real topography for consistency.

You are probably right, but I’m a believer that there is a reader for every book. Thanks for commenting!

It's unfortunate that the author did such a poor job with characterization, that's one of the main things I enjoy when I read. I love that the author included cultural elements of the Apache. American Indian cultures have always fascinated me. As is, I think I will give this one a pass. Thanks for the honest review!

Thanks for taking the time to comment!

The exploration of different cultures sounds great, especially now that it's historical. I think this book will please me. Thanks for the review.

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by.

Geography and topography are not among my interests, but I am intrigued that a person and a coyote can be friends. That may not be enough reason for me to go to Pasture Ridge, though.

I don’t blame you. Thanks for commenting!

The cultural information about the Apaches would be interesting, but the rest of the book would be a struggle. Thanks for your honest review

Yes, it was definitely a struggle. Thanks for your comment.

Thank you for your review. I will have to pass on this one. Without a real plot, it's just a stream of conscious writing. I don't think there would be anything to really keep my attention.

I would have given up if I had not committed to reviewing it. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

I share your and others' interest in the native American wisdom and the legend of the coyote, but it does sound more like a memoir than a story with tension and character development. That's why I often find memoirs unsatisfying.

Yes, I agree with you. Thanks for commenting!

[nooregano]

Yikes, no character or plot development? That sounds incredibly disappointing, and I can't imagine being able to finish this book. Thanks for this honest review, unamilagra, and I hope the next book you read will be more engaging for you!

[Nerea]

Mmmmmhhhhhh....... So sad! so sad!! A story with no key problem sounds disappointing. Thank you for your honest review.