Reimagining the Western Genre

The traditional Western genre is being reexamined, as recent literary works challenge conventional portrayals of gender and identity. For instance, novels like Anna North's 'Outlawed' focus on female and queer characters in an alternative historical context, providing a fresh perspective on the themes of the Wild West. Additionally, Scott Preston's 'The Borrowed Hills' takes inspiration from Western tropes but sets the narrative in contemporary Cumbria, highlighting the struggles of rural working-class communities. This literary revival indicates a growing desire to explore narratives that have often been overlooked, bringing diversity and richness to the Western genre.