Hard Country

A Novel

By: Michael McGarrity

Narrated by: George Guidall

National best-selling author and New Mexico native Michael McGarrity takes listeners to the wild territory of the late 19th-century American Southwest for this epic tale. After the deaths of his wife and brother, John Kerney gives up his West Texas ranch and heads south in search of a new home. Soon Kerney is offered work trailing cattle to the New Mexico Territory - a job that will forever change his life.

©2012 Michael McGarrity (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Book lives up to name

Earlier this year, I read all 4 books in the Lonesome Dove saga. They were spectacular on a whole, but I was looking for a western that would fill the void in my reading list those books had left.
I have to admit, I was not very optimistic about Hard Country, as this was the first Michael McGarrity novel I had read. However, after only a couple chapters in, I was hooked.

Warning though, this book lives up to it's name. Throughout the entire read, you will be taken for a ride filled with ups and downs. The book lasts what feels like an eternity and thinking about it, it does span 3 generations.

I enjoyed the character development most of all. Cal being my favorite, of course. McGarrity paid close attention to all characters though, even the ones that are only around for a chapter or two. My attention was held and I thoroughly enjoyed the book. But I must admit, when certain characters died, part of me wanted to quit reading in protest. And not to give away any endings, but just don't expect this to end like a fairy tail. I constantly reminded myself when the plot took various turns that the book was indeed titled, "Hard Country."

Favourite book

The very best book I have read or listened to.
Live through the lives of people in a very tough time.

Wow!

Such a winding expansive tale. The characters were deep and well written. The development of Patrick’s personality was subtle, but followed the traits typical of a child who was abandoned. Emma was also created following common traits of someone who had been assaulted.

Mr. McGarrity has written using historical and psychological information that makes Hard Country a fantastic read.

And, as always, George Guidall makes the book come to life with his narrative skills.

Really good Western

Exceptionally well-written book about the a family in the American West with a great narration. Very enjoyable. Very interesting.

Old West adventures with person touch

This book features splendid characterizations that avoid trite stereotypes and an appreciation of the types of people it took to settle the West, particularly New Mexico territory. Anyone who enjoys history and adventure should enjoy this well told family saga.

I now have a new author to follow

The storyline was so good that I downloaded the next two books. And of course George Guidall brings it all to life

Wonderful story

What a wonderful surprise. Excellent story expertly told by George Guidall. I will definitely be looking out for Michael’s novels.

Amazing read

It was awesome to follow all of the characters through their lives. It is one of those books that leaves you craving more.

A thought provoking and realistic glimpse of American history.

McGarrity tells a gritty and fabulously descriptive story spanning several generations of American history. Fascinating undercurrents in this book, such as how Americans dealt with trauma before therapy and mental health were common. No sugar coating or holleywood glamour here, these characters and events are unapologetically realistic.

Absolutely excellent

Voice performance is absolutely incredible. The book is swift, accurate, deeply engaging, heart wrenching, and thought provoking. I grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. I’ve been to literally every place in New Mexico detailed in the book… the accuracy and descriptions are so good, I felt like I was back in the incredible wilderness of NM.

It is frustrating for me that people give lower reviews bc the book is sad in many ways. It’s called Hard Country, and the settling of the Wild West was a brutal time. I think reviews should be on quality of writing, not the fate of characters. The author gets to tell the story, we get to go for the ride.

When life gets tough for me, I listen again to the trilogy and remember life is hard but beautiful and grit is important.