Ep 111 - Dusty, Sweaty Westerns and Del Howison!

The Hunger, written by Whitley Strieber, tells the story of Miriam Blaylock, a beautiful and wealthy vampire whose life began in ancient Egypt. Miriam takes human lovers and transforms them into vampire-human hybrids, but these companions eventually begin to age and wither, despite her efforts to keep them youthful. The novel explores Miriam's loneliness and her search for a new companion, Dr. Sarah Roberts, whose medical research might hold the key to immortality for her lovers. The story delves into the psychological intricacies and intimacies between Miriam and her companions, highlighting themes of love, loss, and the pain of being inhuman.

Set in the Old West of 1870s Arkansas and the Indian Territory, 'True Grit' tells the story of Mattie Ross, a determined and independent 14-year-old girl who seeks to avenge her father's murder. With the help of Marshal Reuben J. 'Rooster' Cogburn and a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf, Mattie embarks on a perilous journey to capture the killer, Tom Chaney. The novel explores themes of justice, vengeance, sacrifice, perseverance, and redemption, and is known for its vivid characters and its blend of humor, adventure, and historical context.

Lonesome Dove is a classic Western novel that follows the journey of two former Texas Rangers, Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call, as they embark on a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. The novel is renowned for its vivid descriptions of the American West, its exploration of themes such as friendship, loyalty, and the decline of the Old West, and its well-developed characters. It is the third book in the Lonesome Dove series and is widely regarded as McMurtry's magnum opus.

The Gunslinger is a dark-fantasy novel that blends elements of Western fiction, science fiction, and horror. It tells the story of Roland Deschain, the last gunslinger, who is on a quest to catch the man in black, a sorcerous figure. The novel is set in a world similar to the Old West but in an alternate timeframe or parallel universe. Roland's journey involves encounters with various characters, including a boy named Jake, and flashbacks that reveal his past and his brutal training as a gunslinger. The story is inspired by Robert Browning's poem 'Childe Roland to the Dark Tower Came' and other influences such as Milton's 'Paradise Lost' and the Western films of Sergio Leone.

The Tempest, written around 1610-1611, is one of Shakespeare's last solo works. The play revolves around Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who was usurped by his brother Antonio and left to die at sea with his infant daughter Miranda. They survive and find refuge on a remote island, where Prospero masters magic and enslaves the native Caliban and the spirit Ariel. When a ship carrying his enemies passes by, Prospero conjures a tempest to bring them ashore. The play explores themes of magic, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness as Prospero manipulates the shipwrecked characters to rectify past wrongs and ultimately forgives them. The story also includes the romance between Ferdinand, the King of Naples' son, and Miranda, and ends with Prospero's decision to return to Milan and reclaim his dukedom.