Man Wanted in Cheyenne is my first book review to go live over at Reedsy. I will be writing shorter and less-detailed reviews there, but hope to also write fuller and more biblically minded reviews here on my blog.
In the summary of this book, it is stated that the timeless question answered in Man Wanted in Cheyenne is, “What makes a good man tick?” Yet, as I wandered the ranchlands of the west with ranch manager Jake, I asked an entirely different question: What happens to the man who has forgotten that he lives in the present, not the past or the future?
I asked other questions too, some more important that the philosophical question I led with above. So let’s get into it.
Westerns aren’t usually my “thing”.
After editing a few westerns written by a friend I became more open to the idea, but I don’t necessarily pick up a western for fun reading. The description of this book on my Reedsy library list caught my attention though. It sounded western, but not so western that I would get lost or bored.
There were a few moments that I was lost (due to some need for more editing) and definitely a few times when I was bored (sluggish plot usually). But I did somewhat enjoy reading this book. I won’t read it again, but maybe you would enjoy reading it. There definitely are lessons to be learned from Jake and other characters in this book, but it doesn’t get an immediate thumbs up from me.
The content concerned me at times.
Technically, no explicit sex present itself, but there are a few scenes of sexual content. We also hear of a few times in Jake’s life when he sought sexual fulfillment (without the accompanying companionship/relationship). This occurs both before and after his marriage to his beloved wife. Though not stated, obviously Jake attempts several times to find solace, comfort, and purpose in sexual activity. One relationship in particular stands blatantly opposed to the biblical truth of sexual activity reserved for the covenant of marriage. Jake and a woman from town have sex as needed or wanted without the “ties” of commitment, either present or future. Eventually, she does want commitment and Jake grapples with not completely desiring it himself. He balks and she leaves quickly, even though she originally enforced the “no commitment” boundaries of their relationship, which by the way meant they were allowed to sleep with others if they so desired. Again, no explicit sex, but enough body parts, touching, and descriptions in 2-3 scenes that wisdom would skip certain portions if you read the book.
Lots of language appears throughout the book, not an uncommon theme in westerns. I felt the language increased in frequency and strength in the latter half of the book. I have read worse, but this prevents me from recommending it for teenagers. Even for adults, if foul language is a struggle or causes you issues personally, this may not be a read for you.
The spiritual implications of Jake’s decisions also give us some food for thought.
Jake has deep longings (don’t we all?) for meaning and purpose in life. He couldn’t really find it in sex, but he tries anyway. He can find it for a time in each book he reads, so he keeps his shelves full. But he mostly finds contentment in the ranch that he manages for another man. Notice, mostly. He still longs for more. What an example of the human heart. No amount of blessing in materials, in work, in relationship, in possession will fill us. Jake has a dream that he shared with his wife before she passed: own and run a bison ranch. After an unlikely relationship builds with a famous actor, Jake gets the chance to run a bison ranch.
With the chance to chase his dream comes the loss of everything else. Jake loses his woman, loses his job, loses his home, loses his friends. But Jake pursues it because he believes he’s found relationship with this famous actor and his family. He’s also finally got his chance at a bison ranch, what more could he want?
Jake eventually comes to a point where he questions everything. Perhaps the relationships he thought were deep really weren’t, maybe the dream he thought he loved wasn’t meant for him, maybe his work isn’t truly meaningful after all. Maybe he made the wrong choices and gambled on the wrong people.
When Jake came to the end of himself, I realized that he is a vivid example of how selfishness and pride can ruin our lives. Consider this quote of Jake’s thoughts as he considers pursuing what he wants as opposed to what others want:
He was being called to fulfill his destiny. Not like some religious mumbo-jumbo, but something as irresistible as gravity.
Jake lives anywhere but the present. Through sex and books he chases what he feels he had missed in the past. In fact, his past (specifically his relationship with his dad) affects current relationships. He grows overly attached to the actor and his son, finally becoming quite devastated when he discovers they do not feel or express the same level of commitment. He even can’t understand why he wasn’t invited to Thanksgiving dinner. The difference between employee and family friend was lost on Jake apparently.
Jake also chases his dreams of the future constantly, blinding him to any beauty in the present. Do you and I live like that, concerned only with our dreams for the future? Have we taken the time lately to dwell on the rich blessings God has provided to us in the present, on the work He has given us to do? God uniquely prepares and equips each of us to live right now, right here for Him. Jake makes decisions and ends up living a life in direct opposition to that. He gambles everything and, you guessed it, he loses it all.
Dreams fail. Relationships wax and wane. People come and go. Jobs change. But God doesn’t. Too bad Jake doesn’t want that religious mumbo-jumbo.
One more quick note, an emphasis on mother earth, climate change/global warming, and bison > cattle bothered me. As one surrounded by the farm and ranch culture, I can say without a doubt that bison are no more eco-friendly than cows. Both animals eat off the land and require water. Fences are also not a “one-time job”, they will require some fixing in the future and even full replacement. I don’t know about the author’s knowledge of ranching (or farming), but it seemed more informed by leftist climate agenda non-sense than cattle and bison experience.
To read or not to read . . .
Jake would be considered a gentleman by most if you met him on the street. He’s a kind and generous character, hard working, dedicated, won’t shy away from difficulty or a challenge. However, though Jake shares a tender concern for the animals he dearly loves, his care for the people around him appears at it’s foundation to be self-centered.
Man Wanted in Cheyenne did not truly capture my attention at the first. It lacked a compelling start, the character introductions sometimes came across as sloppy or confusing, and repeated use of the term “movie people” made me wonder if the author lacked creativity in his word craft. But by the time I came to the middle of the book, I had become intrigued. I noticed a subtle selfishness in Jake. He evidenced more excitement in the future and more serious contemplation of the past than he had of the present and what was laid out before him. Whether Richard McPherson realized it or not, he wrote a story with a compelling undertone of the difficulty that comes when you assume you’ve got life by the horns. Selfishness writes a hard story and paves a difficult path.
As Believers, we know this to be true by personal experience. As we grow in sanctification, the distinction between the result of selfishness and the result of righteousness becomes more and more obvious. This is of course not the intent of the author as far as I can tell; however, I found it quite fascinating to watch a character rely entirely on their own knowledge and will power to get themselves through life. However, similarly compelling character development can be found in other, cleaner novels. Might I suggest A Tale of Two Cities by Dickens for my classic readers or On the Edge of Legend by Ritter for my western readers?
Until the next review, have a lovely Monday and go read a good book!
** See my original review on Reedsy Discovery HERE and consider supporting me with a tip! **
