Book Review

Six Bits a Day

Six Bits a Day by Elmer Kelton, published by Forge

Reviewed by Mike Shea

November 2005

Buy it at BookPeople

ELMER KELTON has been recognized by the Western Writers of America as the best western author of them all, and he shows no signs of slowing down with SIX BITS A DAY (Forge). Set in the 1880’s, his latest novel visits the cowboying origins of Hewey Calloway, Kelton’s popular character played by Tommy Lee Jones in the made-for-TV movie The Good Old Boys. Hewey (the reckless one) and brother Walter (the practical one) abandon their East Texas homestead for adventures in the West; for all their trouble, they gain hard work and meager pay driving a herd from San Antonio to the Two Cs Ranch, on the Pecos River. Six Bits a Day is short on plot but long on color, like this description of a potential cowhand’s knowledge: “He knows where the feed goes in and where it comes out.” Has it ever been said better?

E-mail

Password

Remember me

Forgot your password?

X (close)

Registering gets you access to online content, allows you to comment on stories, add your own reviews of restaurants and events, and join in the discussions in our community areas such as the Recipe Swap and other forums.

In addition, current TEXAS MONTHLY magazine subscribers will get access to the feature stories from the two most recent issues. If you are a current subscriber, please enter your name and address exactly as it appears on your mailing label (except zip, 5 digits only). Not a subscriber? Subscribe online now.

E-mail

Re-enter your E-mail address

Choose a password

Re-enter your password

Name

  
 

Address

Address 2

City

State

Zip (5 digits only)

Country

What year were you born?

Are you...

Male Female

Remember me

X (close)