If you enjoy reading novels by A. B. Guthrie then you might also like the following authors:
Willa Cather captures the vast beauty, harsh realities, and profound depth of frontier life in the American West. If you’re a fan of A. B. Guthrie’s vivid portrayal of rugged landscapes and authentic Western experiences, you’ll appreciate Cather’s classic novel “O Pioneers!”.
Set in the plains of Nebraska during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this story follows Alexandra Bergson, a determined and resilient woman.
She takes over the family farm after her father’s death, battles nature’s hardships and isolation, and seeks to fulfill her ambitious dreams. Cather explores relationships, sacrifice, and survival against the backdrop of sweeping changes within America itself.
Readers who enjoyed Guthrie’s “The Big Sky” will find a similar genuine sense of place, character-driven plots, and honest storytelling in Cather’s works.
Larry McMurtry is an American author known for captivating novels set in the American West, particularly notable for their authentic portrayal of frontier life.
If you enjoy A. B. Guthrie’s honest and vivid storytelling about the harsh realities and adventures of the West, McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove” could interest you.
It chronicles the journey of retired Texas Rangers Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call, who lead a cattle drive from Texas to Montana. Along the way, readers follow the rugged, heartfelt, and tragic experiences of compelling characters.
It’s rich in character, friendship, survival, and adventure, all against the backdrop of a vivid, untamed frontier.
Louis L’Amour is a classic author for those who appreciate the western tales of A. B. Guthrie. His books offer memorable heroes, tough frontier characters, and vivid adventures set in the American West.
If you enjoy stories about frontier courage and survival, his novel “Hondo” is a great match. Hondo Lane, an experienced scout and fighter, finds himself involved with Angie Lowe, a woman living alone with her son in the remote Arizona territory.
Conflict and suspense build as Apache tensions rise. L’Amour’s storytelling captures the essence of the western wilderness, struggles, and heroism in a way Guthrie fans will recognize right away.
Wallace Stegner was an American novelist best known for his evocative stories of the American West. Readers who appreciate A. B. Guthrie’s vivid frontier narratives often enjoy Stegner’s skillful portrayal of complex characters and the rugged landscape they inhabit.
One good place to begin is his novel “Angle of Repose.” It follows historian Lyman Ward as he pieces together his grandparents’ lives through old letters and memoirs.
Their story offers an in-depth look at the challenges and dreams of frontier life, balanced thoughtfully with Lyman’s own struggles in contemporary times. Stegner blends past and present through beautifully crafted prose that brings western experiences into sharp focus.
Readers who enjoy the vivid landscapes and authentic characters of A. B. Guthrie will likely appreciate the works of Ivan Doig. Doig is known for stories rooted deeply in the American West, portrayed through a warm yet honest viewpoint.
His novel “This House of Sky” beautifully traces the bond between father and son amid Montana’s harsh yet captivating terrain. Doig blends personal history with the changing realities of rural life, showing how family ties and natural spaces shape identity.
His skillful storytelling reveals the strength in ordinary lives faced with extraordinary circumstances.
If you enjoy the authentic Western narratives of A. B. Guthrie, you might also appreciate the works of Owen Wister. Often credited as one of the fathers of Western fiction, Wister captured the spirit of the American frontier in his writing.
His novel “The Virginian” centers on a cowboy working on a ranch in Wyoming. The Virginian faces a series of trials that test honor, courage, and morality. The story blends scenes of romance, gunfights, and the tough realities of frontier justice.
It’s a classic Western tale that brings the Old West vividly alive.
Books by Thomas Savage often explore the rugged landscapes and complex characters of the American West. If you enjoy A. B. Guthrie’s vivid portrayals of western life and the tough realities faced by settlers and ranchers, Savage offers stories set in similar surroundings.
His novel “The Power of the Dog” is a striking portrait of two brothers running a Montana ranch in the 1920s. Phil, fierce and domineering, rules their ranch with a harsh hand, while his gentle brother George quietly deals with his brother’s harsh nature.
Tension builds when George marries a widow, disrupting the brothers’ dynamic and leading to an unsettling family conflict.
Savage skillfully weaves together themes of loneliness, repressed desires, and the complexities of brotherhood amid a beautifully described Western landscape.
Books by Cormac McCarthy often explore life on the rugged edges of America, similar to the frontier tales of A. B. Guthrie. Readers who appreciate Guthrie’s vivid storytelling and realistic portrayal of American wilderness might enjoy McCarthy’s book “All the Pretty Horses.”
The story follows a young Texan named John Grady Cole who crosses into Mexico on horseback, driven by dreams of a fading cowboy lifestyle. On his journey he faces a harsh land filled with danger and beauty, romance and loss, violence and friendship.
McCarthy creates characters who feel real and complex, people shaped by the tough places they inhabit. This is the kind of storytelling that sticks with you, much as Guthrie’s does, with its stark landscapes and unforgettable characters.
If you enjoy A. B. Guthrie’s vivid storytelling about the American West, Dorothy M. Johnson offers another authentic perspective you might appreciate.
Her collection “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” explores themes of courage, justice, and the complexity of frontier traditions. The title story revolves around a young lawyer named Ranse Stoddard, who encounters the ruthless outlaw Liberty Valance in the wild town of Shinbone.
It skillfully portrays the tension between eastern ideals of law and the gritty codes of the western frontier, blending action and moral questions with rich character development.
Johnson writes straightforward tales that capture the essence of the Old West without romanticizing its challenges.
Readers who appreciate A. B. Guthrie’s authentic storytelling and well-crafted narratives may also enjoy Elmer Kelton. Kelton has a talent for depicting the realities of frontier life with honesty and vivid detail.
His novel “The Time It Never Rained” tells the story of Charlie Flagg, a rancher in Texas battling a relentless drought in the 1950s. Charlie faces tough choices as the drought grinds on for years, challenging his ranch, his family, and his principles.
Kelton portrays the struggles of individuals facing the harsh conditions of the land, capturing the spirit of perseverance found in Guthrie’s stories.
If you enjoy A. B. Guthrie’s vivid tales of the American West, you should try Zane Grey. Grey’s stories capture the essence of frontier life with detailed depictions of rugged landscapes and tough characters.
A great starting point is his classic novel “Riders of the Purple Sage.” It centers around Jane Withersteen, a brave ranch owner caught between oppressive forces and the tender promise of new love.
With action, romance and striking scenes set in the vast landscape of Southern Utah, Grey shapes a memorable story that’s stood the test of time.
Books by Mari Sandoz capture the spirit and hardships of the American West through vivid historical storytelling. Readers who appreciate A. B. Guthrie’s authentic portrayals of frontier life will likely find a similar appeal in Sandoz’s work.
Her book “Old Jules” explores the rugged existence of Nebraska settlers. It begins with a powerful scene of Jules, Sandoz’s father, establishing a homestead against all odds on the unforgiving Nebraska prairie.
Through Jules’ story, readers discover the human cost behind the settlement of the West—from conflicts with neighbors to struggles against nature and isolation.
Sandoz writes from an intimate perspective, blending historical accuracy with deep personal insight into frontier life.
Will Henry was an American western novelist known for richly textured stories set in the Old West. His book “No Survivors” follows a cavalry officer, John Clayton, who faces an impossible mission during the Apache wars.
Clayton must lead his small troop across hostile territory to deliver critical orders, but betrayal and danger lurk along every trail. Henry describes frontier tensions, military strategy, and the harsh landscape of the West with vivid realism.
Readers who appreciate A. B. Guthrie’s detailed portrayals of frontier life and complex characters in novels such as “The Big Sky” will find much to enjoy in Will Henry’s stories.
Readers who enjoy A. B. Guthrie’s clear-eyed portrayal of frontier life may also appreciate Frederick Manfred. His novel “Lord Grizzly” offers a vivid picture of survival and resilience in the harsh American wilderness.
It follows the true-life adventure of Hugh Glass, a frontiersman left for dead after a brutal bear attack. Determined to confront those who abandoned him, Glass manages to survive through sheer force and patience.
Manfred’s storytelling captures both the brutal realities of nature and the spirit of a determined survivor, qualities that Guthrie’s fans will find deeply rewarding.
Edward Abbey was an American writer known for vivid and detailed portrayals of the American West, often compared to the style of A. B. Guthrie. Abbey’s novel “The Brave Cowboy” is especially appealing to Guthrie fans.
The story follows Jack Burns, an independent cowboy out of step with modern life, who insists on personal freedom against mounting pressures from authority.
This modern-day western captures the landscape beautifully, with classic themes of courage, integrity, and the vanishing wilderness. Abbey draws a thoughtful portrait of an old-school hero in a rapidly changing West.