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West

By Carys Davies
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3.71 goodreads logo

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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
West by Carys Davies follows the journey of a widowed settler named Cy Bellman, who becomes obsessed with reports of huge ancient bones unearthed in the American frontier. Leaving his young daughter behind in Pennsylvania, he embarks on a perilous trek across the uncharted wilderness to discover the truth behind these mysteries, encountering various challenges and characters along the way. This poignant tale explores themes of adventure, obsession, and the impact of absence.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're captivated by tales of exploration and adventure rooted in historical settings. It provides a beautifully written journey across the American frontier, blending themes of wonder, solitude, and the pursuit of dreams. Fans of richly crafted narratives and character-driven stories are likely to find it appealing.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

West is an exquisite first novel set on the American frontier.

Addled by grief after the death of his wife, and prompted by reports of colossal animal bones found in Kentucky, John Cyrus Bellman sets off on his quest, leaving behind his only daughter, Bess, to be cared for by her aunt.

While Bellman ventures farther into the wilderness, forging an uneasy fellowship with his guide, a Native American boy, Bess traces her father’s path on maps at the local library and keeps out of the way of their peculiar neighbour Elmer Jackson.

Bold and lyrical, West is a brief epic, a micro masterpiece about love, reckless determination, and yearning for the unknown.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Carys Davies' West is widely acclaimed for its lyrical prose and compact storytelling. Reviewers praise its blend of historical and mythical elements, creating an evocative tale set in the American frontier. The novel is noted for its exploration of themes like obsession, family, and the unknown, all captured with evocative imagery and stark emotional depth. Described as a short yet impactful debut, it has been likened to a fable, with a narrative that invites contemplation long after reading.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925603538

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 April 2018

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 160

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About the Author

Carys Davies is the author of Some New Ambush and The Redemption of Galen Pike, published in one volume by Text as The Travellers and Other Stories. She won the 2015 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. Born in Wales, she lives in Lancaster in northwest England.

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