The Ox-Bow Incident (1940)

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by Walter Van Tilburg Clark


The inhabitants of a ranching community get up a posse to go after a band of rustlers who are thought to have stolen cattle and committed a murder. 


The small number of men who try to act reasonably and thoughtfully are easily swept aside by those who are ruled by their passions, leading to disastrous results.
 

Walter Van Tilburg Clark is a wonderful writer who has produced a powerful novel that succeeds in every way.
 
Walter Van Tilburg Clark

His simple, evocative language brings the Old West to life. 


His characters speak with distinctive, authentic voices. 


Most importantly, the novel is very astute about mob psychology as it depicts the ebb and flow of the men's passions through the final tragedy in the pitiless morning sunlight to the aftermath of guilt and regret.
 

This classic story still has much of value to say about the danger of retribution unchecked by law.


"Fatal Dawn" (Italian)

"The Strange Incident" (French)


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