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The Good Old Boys

By: Elmer Kelton
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's summary

Honored by seven Spur Awards and peer-selected as history's best Western writer, Elmer Kelton is the beloved author of a bevy of Texas tales, including his own revealing memoir Sandhills Boy. Set in 1906, The Good Old Boys is hailed as one of Kelton's finest works.

Cowboy Hewey Calloway loves to ride the open range like a solitary sailor on an endless sea. So when barbed wire and newfangled contraptions threaten his world, he's dead-set against progress - until he meets a pretty little teacher.

©1978 Elmer Kelton (P)2007 Recorded Books
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What listeners say about The Good Old Boys

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LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!

This is the first review I have written and I have been an Audible frequent customer for some time! This book was wonderful. I'm a sucker for a good Texas story, and this book brought back so many memories of folks I grew up around. You know you've gotten ahold of a good one when it leave you wanting more! And of course, George Guidall can solidify any good Texas story into a GREAT one!

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Well told story about the last days of the cowboy.

I started listening to this expecting a good old Louis L’amour western which I enjoy. This was not that kind of western. I loved the characters that come along and the humor. But there is a feeling of sadness that the old cowboy way of life was dying. The main character, Huey, knows this but still wants to have the freedom that the cowboy life provides.

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Kelton & Guidall - Great Team!

I must admit I was drawn to this book because I enjoy George Guidall. I also like Craig Johnson's novels of which Guidall is also the narrator. I'm not a western fan and I just finished Dickens' marvelous Dombey and Son. I also noted that Kelton was honored by his peers for his writings so I figured I give this novel a listen. I wasn't disappointed. Rich in characters, full of life and deep in description of the days when the automobile first arrived on the scene in the West. The anti-hero, Hewey Calloway, is a very likable character who seems to attract trouble despite himself. There are several similarities to Craig Johnson's Walt Longmire series, so if you enjoyed the Sheriff, you should enjoy this story.
Need I add: Guidall makes it all come to life.

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24 people found this helpful

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My Favorite Kelton Novel

Guidell's reading is unsurpassed by any ebook narrator and his interpretation of both the dialogue and the narration in this book is masterful. I've "read" this book at least ten times and loved the last time as much as the first. I gave it 4 stars for story because of the choice Huey makes at the end. Great book--buy it and love it again and again.

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really fun

Really enjoyed the story. Sounded just like I know small community living is. Great characters.

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A great book I will read again and again.

Very insightful, set in 1906 Texas, yet relevant today. Characters so rich you could shake hands with them and smell the dust kicking up from their horses. Memorable humor. The plot pulls you in and let's you feel the hurts and happiness as the characters meet life's challenges and develop deep understanding of one another.
The reader is easy to listen to and adds much to the telling.

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Loved this book! Love Elmer Kelton!!

We travel via vehicle or RV and there is nothing better than a good book to keep one alert and eager to hear more! This was one of the best! We laughed and learned and identified with this great book! The only suggestion, and this is not to take away anything, if there could be a separate person reading for each of the characters! But,! George guidall did and always does an excellent job

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2 people found this helpful

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Hewey Calloway cowboy

He can't stop drifting and settle down but a lot of emotions tug at his heart, love of friends & family & the school marm.

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excellent

My husband and I listen to books while driving. My mother is 97 and listens to her free books from the government before bed. Most books that my husband and I listen to have the F word in it (way to many times to follow the conversation) and or to much violence for her. I LOVED this book and recommended to my Mother. She ordered it and Loved it just as much as I did.

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Book and movie both great

Really enjoyed the book. The movie is my all time favorite. Excellent cast with Tommy Lee Jones cast perfectly as Huey. Francis McDormand as Eve does a great job as well as Matt Damon as Cotton. I wanted to see if the book went right along with the movie and it did. Loved it. I highly recommend them both

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1 person found this helpful