Lin Mclean

Lin Mclean by Owen Wister (1912)

The narrative follows Lin McLean, a young cow-puncher in Wyoming, as he navigates life, love, and the complexities of human relationships in the late 19th century. The story begins with Lin at a cow camp, feeling restless and seeking variety in his life. He decides to leave the camp and heads to Fort Washakie to collect his wages, where he becomes enamored with a girl named Sabina Stone. Their flirtation is light-hearted, but Lin's carefree attitude masks deeper insecurities and a longing for connection. As Lin travels, he encounters various characters, including a bishop who offers him wisdom and guidance. Lin's journey takes him to Denver, where he meets a young boy named Billy Lusk, who admires him and aspires to be a cow-puncher. Lin's interactions with Billy reveal his nurturing side, as he takes on a protective role for the boy, who has run away from home. The story explores themes of masculinity, responsibility, and the search for identity. Lin grapples with his past and the choices he has made, particularly regarding his impulsive marriage to a woman from his past, Katie Peck. As the narrative unfolds, Lin's relationship with Katie becomes strained, and he faces the consequences of his decisions. The arrival of a rain-maker in town serves as a catalyst for change, drawing attention to the community's struggles and desires. Lin's interactions with the townsfolk and his growing bond with Billy highlight the importance of friendship and loyalty in a harsh and unforgiving landscape. Ultimately, Lin's journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to confront his fears and embrace the complexities of love and responsibility. The story concludes with Lin finding a sense of purpose and belonging, as he navigates the challenges of life in the American West, ultimately realizing that true happiness comes from within and the connections we forge with others.

By Owen Wister · First published 1912 · Genre: Western, Adventure, Romance · 6 chapters · 90,524 words

First lines

In the old days, the happy days, when Wyoming was a Territory with a future instead of a State with a past, and the unfenced cattle grazed upon her ranges by prosperous thousands, young Lin McLean awaked early one morning in cow camp, and lay staring out of his blankets upon the world. He would be twenty-two this week. He was the youngest cow-puncher in camp. But because he could break wild horses, he was earning more dollars a month than any man there, except one. The cook was a more indispensable person. None save the cook was up, so far, this morning. Lin's brother punchers slept about him on the ground, some motionless, some shifting their prone heads to burrow deeper from the increasing day. The busy work of spring was over, that of the fall, or beef round-up, not yet come. It was mid-July, a lull for these hard-riding bachelors of the saddle, and many unspent dollars stood to Mr. McLean's credit on the ranch books.

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Western fiction · American literature · Novel · Historical fiction · Frontier life · Pioneer era · Settler narrative · Coming of age · Male protagonist · Adventure story · Action novel · Romance novel

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More by Owen Wister