Shane is a western fiction novel by Jack Schaefer published in 1949. It was first published as a three-part story in a weekly magazine under the title Rider from Nowhere.

The story is narrated by Bob Starrett, an 11-year old boy. He is the son of a homesteader Joe Starrett and his wife Marian Starrett. One day during the summer of 1989, a man named Shane rides up to Starrett’s farm in Wyoming and Bob Starrett is captivated by this stranger. The way he dressed, the way he looked at the things around him, the way he looked at them, the way he moved, the way he spoke, everything about him was mysterious to Bob. 

After providing food and some rest to the rider, Joe requests Shane to stay with them for a while and help him with the farm. Shane stays, but no matter how well acquainted they are his past still remains a mystery. As the word spreads, the Wyoming neighborhood seems not to trust this mysterious stranger to live among them. However, the ‘dangerous’ Shane was to become a legend in a way they did not anticipate.

How did it make me feel?

Oh! Talk about winning a heart! I am so in love with this book. This is such a classic. The writing seems effortless yet it carries such profound expressions that this is a book you feel more than reading. The best part about this book, what really MAKES it, is the narration from this 11-year old boy. To try to grasp this character, Shane, from Bob’s point of view is the magic of this book. It makes you fall in love with Shane.

Just like that, Shane has made his way into the list of my favorite characters. This book is going to remain in my heart and mind for a long time and it is definitely the one to re-read.

I highly recommend it! 

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Have you read Shane yet? Let me know your thought in the comments.