The Smiling Country Audiobook By Elmer Kelton cover art

The Smiling Country

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The Smiling Country

By: Elmer Kelton
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Elmer Kelton, author of over a dozen popular westerns, was named the Greatest Western Writer of All Time by the Western Writers of America. He has won multiple Golden Spur Awards.

The Smiling Country, filled with pathos and humor, is set in the last days of the Old West. Hewey Calloway may be pushing 45, but he can still rope and outride most things on four legs. Refusing promotions, he prefers to remain a simple ranch hand. But as he rides the West Texas plains, automobiles are beginning to dot the landscape. When Hewey is critically injured by a wild horse, he must admit that his world - and an age - are passing away.

©1998 Elmer Kelton (P)2001 Recorded Books Action & Adventure Fiction Genre Fiction Westerns Witty
Heartwarming Story • Lighthearted Humorous Package • Excellent Narration • Engaging Storytelling • Captivating Tale
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This is the 3rd Kelton I have listened to and I am hooked. I have never really read any Westerns in the past besides Larry McMurtry. I thought I’d try a Zane Gray but did not care for it.

Hooked on Kelton

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Started out a little slow but once I got into the story I had a hard time turning it off. Another great narration by GG.

Great read

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It took a while to develop but, once drawn in it was pretty good. George Guidall as usual is great. GG is why I selected this book. Came in expecting something different, more action than story. Still overall very enjoyable.

Little slow to start

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Wonderful story Characters so well developed a western problems being worked out without being solved by guns.

Relatable people

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Which shines through almost most every character.
Those few exceptions belong back East, then and now.
Great book. excellent narration

Great snapshot of the classic western personality

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This author has, at some point, been exposed to the authentic cowboy culture. This story warmed my heart.....one of those that you just hate to see come to an end

Enjoyed it a lot....

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perfect story perfect narrator perfect author so easy to listen to we're not author knows what he's talking about and so easy to listen to when the narrator reads it right.

Perfect

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A really good story that I was sorry to get to the ending.
Can’t go wrong with a great writer like Elmer Kelton and George Guidall is an excellent narrator.

Another Kelton hit

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One of the most enjoyable series of books I have ever read or listened to and hated for it to come to end. I will relisten to this and the remainder of the quartet many times again.

As engaging as Gus McCrae of Lonsome Dove

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Elmer Kelton is one of the few authors of this genre who actually knows the mind & soul of a cowboy. He captures the reality of what eventually settles on every cowhand who lives long enough to get old. He captures this reality & how hard the decision is to settle down. He’s the best author of cowboy/cowhand novels. This book is by far no exception.

Classic Cowboy Novel

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