Ghost Town

by Robert Coover

Book Overview

A nameless rider plods through the desert toward a dusty Western town shimmering on the horizon. In his latest novel, Robert Coover has taken the familiar form of the Western and turned it inside out. The lonesome stranger reaches the town - or rather, it reaches him - and he becomes part of its gunfights, saloon brawls, bawdy houses, train robberies, and, of course, the choice between the saloon chanteuse or the sweet-faced schoolmistress whom he...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0802136664
• ISBN13: 9780802136664
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Grove Press
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A definitively postmodern western.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Fans of metafiction--that is, fiction about the way fiction works--will find much to enjoy here. Readers looking for a linear storyline and 'realistic' plot should probably stay away. As mentioned before, 'GHOST TOWN' is perhaps best described as a send-up of the Cormac McCarthry western in the style, perhaps, of Thomas Pynchon, Donald Barthemle or Italo Calvino. It is rather imperative that one understands and appreciates the metafiction aesthetic, at least in general, if s/he plans to get anything approaching enjoyment out of this novel. Otherwise, there is a significant chance that you will come away rather frustrated. If this sounds like something you think you might enjoy then I'd be willing to bet that you will.

A Delight From Beginning To End

This is the first Robert Coover book I have read, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it! Some of the dialog was so funny, I had to laugh out loud. The style in which this was written is so refreshing; unlike anything I have read. It's like 'The Twilight Zone' meets 'Gunsmoke' or something. This book may not appeal to all readers, but for me, it was perfectly entertaining. I look forward to reading more of Robert Coover's books.

Amazing genreless genre fiction

Those who come to Coover from his earlier works are well-prepared for this remarkable synthesis of excellent language, excellent description, excellent mood. Those new to Coover will delight in their discovery. Ghost Town is somehow less earnest, more effortless, than earlier Coover, and is more mature for it. Here is a novel that makes no apologies, denies an association with the "modern novel," and expertly ignores the western as genre by setting itself right in the middle of it. In Coover's Ghost Town, genre cliches become literary devices, and stereotypes become grammatical foils. Critics (not to mention grad students) will be playing with this one for years; casual readers will carry it around with them and read their favorite bits over and over again for even longer.

A Dusty Ride Through The Desert Plains Within

Metafiction is not something I suffer well, but Coover is the perfect cranky, amusing old coot of a guide to lead a wary wanderer through one hell of a strange tale. Despite my initial misgivings, Ghost Town left a mark as indelible as any brand. Long after I finished, I'm still haunted by imagery which seems to penetrate the very heart of our shared American mythology. Saddle up and enjoy the ride.

Incredible

'Ghost Town' is a remarkable work of metafiction- the transitions and descriptions will absolutely blow your brains out. Amazing, amazing, amazing.