Butcher’s Crossing is the first book I’ve read by John Williams. This book is Williams’ take on the classic western. Harvard student Will Andrews, inspired by Emerson, leaves Boston in search of nature and adventure. When he arrives in the small Kansas town of Butcher’s Crossing, an old family acquaintance introduces him to Miller, a buffalo hunter, who agrees to lead a hunting party (funded by Andrews) deep in the Colorado territory. The two are joined by Charley Hoge, Miller’s sidekick who will take care of the livestock and camp, and skinner Schneider, who opts for a monthly salary instead of a share of the profits.

This book was gripping. When they eventually find the epic herd of buffalo, Miller descends into a mad bloodlust, insisting on killing every buffalo and ultimately dooming them to a winter stuck in the mountains. There was palpable suspense when they couldn’t find water along their route, abject hopelessness when they were trapped in the snowstorm, and the overwhelming feeling that things were too good to be true when they finally started their journey back to Kansas. My emotions ran wild. I had dreams about being stuck in the Colorado mountains. It was hard for me to read the brutal scenes of the buffalo slaughter, but I couldn’t look away.

I read the forward after reading the book (I always do it this way to avoid spoilers), and learned that Williams set out to write novels in three different genres - this being the Western, Stoner an academic novel, and a historical novel with Augustus. This is a western at its core - complete with many tropes, boom towns with railroad hopes, hunting parties full of lustful men, and of course the frontier.

This book is impressive and I won’t forget it. Thanks to @meeeshreads for buddy reading it with me! It was so nice to have someone to discuss it with. I’m excited to read more by John Williams - Stoner is definitely on my list for this year! Also, this book is being made into a movie with Nicolas Cage, which is a perfectly casting choice for deranged Miller, so I’m looking forward to that too.