The Red Dead Redemption series, created by Rockstar Games, features tales of vengeance, outlaws, family, love, loss, and the American Dream, all set in the Wild West. Red Dead Redemption takes place in 1911. It follows John Marston, who is forced to act as a bounty hunter for the FBI to get his kidnapped family back. Red Dead Redemption II is a prequel, set in 1899. Though Marston is present, this game focuses on Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde Gang. As the trailer states, “the West had nearly been tamed” by this point. Our protagonists, the outlaws, are forced to grapple with their identities and consider leaving their lawless lives behind.
The Revisionist Western Effect
The series primarily takes inspiration from classic Revisionist Western films like McCabe and Mrs. Miller and Once Upon a Time in the West. The Revisionist Western subgenre is known for its realism and brutal violence. It notably subverts the stereotypical and romanticized view of life in the Wild West. The genre also often features marginalized characters, such as women and Native Americans, as people with complex and difficult experiences rather than as caricatures. Their impact on the games is clear, as these themes and characters can all be found within the Red Dead series.
Films aren’t the only thing that inspired these iconic games though. In an interview with IGN, Dan Houser, writer and co-founder of Rockstar Games, talks about how books, particularly Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy, influenced the games because they captured “the real horror of the West.” With that in mind, let’s take a look at five other Revisionist Western novels whose legacy may have played a role in Red Dead‘s incredible storytelling.
Butcher’s Crossing by John Williams
This 1960 novel follows William Andrews, a Harvard student who leaves his simple life behind for the nature and excitement of the West. He joins a buffalo hunting group, where he must face violence, death, and the hardships of life in the wilderness. Most notably, he is on a journey to find out who he is, and during it, he must grapple with his place in the natural world and the disintegration of the West as he comes to understand it.
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
Published in 1985, Lonesome Dove focuses on two retired Texas Rangers and their crew. They have to journey with their herd of cattle from Texas to Montana. They face harsh dangers on their trek, resulting in loss and injuries along the way. However, what they really have to confront are their life regrets; the reality of growing old, and the tragic end of the West.
Warlock by Oakley Hall
Loosely based on historical events, like the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Warlock is considered a very early entry into the Revisionist Western genre. Published in 1958, the book is about Clay Blaisedell, a gunslinger-turned-town-marshal. Hired by the fictional town of Warlock after they face threats of violence, Blaisedell must go toe-to-toe with outlaws, cowboys, and cattle rustlers to keep it safe.
True Grit by Charles Portis
This novel from 1968 is about 14-year-old Mattie Ross, who leaves her family behind on a quest for vengeance after her father is brutally killed. She convinces Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn, a US Marshal, and LaBoeuf, a Texas Ranger, to help her. Notably, the story is told to readers by an elderly Ross, fifty years after the events.
The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage
The Power of the Dog takes place in 1925, at a time when the Wild West is all but forgotten. It follows brothers Phil and George Burbank, who run a cattle ranch together. The two butt heads, especially after George marries a widow with a son, as Phil dislikes both of them. The book deals with toxic masculinity, complex family dynamics, and the harshness of ranch life. It was also adapted into a Netflix movie in 2021.
These classic Revisionist Westerns aren’t afraid to explore the human condition and the bleak, violent aspects of life. They carry many of the same complexities that make the Red Dead Redemption series so engaging and are sure to inspire you to jump back into the game world. But while we wait to find out if Red Dead Redemption 3 is in the works, sink your teeth into one of these tough but meaningful novels instead.
Want to learn more about the Western genre? Read about it here!
Check out even more recommendations at Bookstr Team Recs on Bookshop.org!
