Last of the Duanes (novel)

Origin

Last of the Duanes is the original version of The Lone Star Ranger. Originally written in 1913, it was rejected by Munsey's Magazine as too violent. The manuscript was reworked and published as the serial "The Rangers of the Lone Star" early in 1914; later that year, Grey sold the original story to The Argosy. Grey combined the two serials into his 1915 novel The Lone Star Ranger, the first of his works to top a best-seller list. In 1996 Last of the Duanes was published in its original form.

Plot summary

Buck Duane is the son of a famous Texas gunman, a fact which brings him almost nothing but trouble. Duane shoots a man who threatens him and flees the law. He mixes with outlaws while clinging desperately to the last of his principles. He rescues a girl named Jennie from the hands of an outlaw king, but loses her in the escape. He then wanders aimlessly, desperation growing as the worth of life slips away.

Characters in "Last of the Duanes"

Themes

The coming of law and order on the American frontier leads to a clash of values as the very self-sufficiency of the frontiersmen leads them to break the law. Once broken, the outlaw starts a downward spiral that erodes his humanity as he runs from a harsh justice to an even harsher frontier filled with desperate men. Grey delves into the life of the gunman, examining what makes them dangerous both to themselves and to those around them.

Film adaptations

The Zane Grey novel was adopted into a film four times. A silent version was filmed as a silent in 1919 and 1924, and sound versions were released in 1930 and 1941. Plans for a fifth film have been announced with a projected release in 2014.