Discover books similar to "The Power of the Dog"

Cormac McCarthy

All the Pretty Horses

Like 'The Power of the Dog', 'All the Pretty Horses' is a novel that explores the harsh realities of the American West. The story follows John Grady Cole, a young man who sets out to Mexico to become a cowboy and finds himself in the midst of violence and betrayal. Both novels share a sparse, powerful writing style that immerses the reader in the rugged landscape and the complex inner lives of their characters.

Philipp Meyer

The Son

In 'The Son', Philipp Meyer delves into the brutal history of the American frontier, much like Thomas Savage does in 'The Power of the Dog'. The novel follows a Texas family through several generations, from the Comanche raids of the 1800s to the modern-day oil boom. Both books offer a raw and unflinching look at the consequences of power, violence, and masculinity in the American West.

Patrick deWitt

The Sisters Brothers

Set in the same era as 'The Power of the Dog', 'The Sisters Brothers' is a darkly comic novel about two hired guns, Eli and Charlie Sisters, on a mission to kill a prospector in California. The book shares Savage's keen eye for the absurdity and violence of the Old West, while also offering a unique and entertaining take on the traditional western genre.

Cormac McCarthy

The Road

In 'The Road', McCarthy once again displays his mastery of language and his ability to create a vivid and unsettling world. The novel follows a father and son as they journey through a post-apocalyptic America, struggling to survive and maintain their humanity. While not set in the Old West, the book shares Savage's themes of masculinity, survival, and the power of the human spirit.

Craig Johnson

The Cold Dish

The first book in the 'Longmire' series, 'The Cold Dish' is a modern western that follows Sheriff Walt Longmire as he investigates the murder of a young Cheyenne woman. Like 'The Power of the Dog', the novel explores the complex relationships between men and the challenges of living in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.

Paulette Jiles

News of the World

In 'News of the World', Paulette Jiles tells the story of Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd, a Civil War veteran who travels through Texas reading the news to isolated communities. When he is tasked with returning a young girl to her family, he finds himself on a dangerous journey that tests his resolve and his faith in humanity. Both books offer a powerful exploration of the human spirit and the challenges of life in the American West.

Larry McMurtry

Lonesome Dove

Widely regarded as one of the greatest westerns ever written, 'Lonesome Dove' follows a group of former Texas Rangers as they drive a herd of cattle from Texas to Montana. Like 'The Power of the Dog', the novel explores the complex relationships between men, the harsh realities of the landscape, and the consequences of violence and ambition.

Glendon Swarthout

The Shootist

In 'The Shootist', Glendon Swarthout tells the story of J.B. Books, an aging gunfighter who is dying of cancer and wants to live out his final days in peace. When he is confronted by a group of young toughs, he must decide whether to fight back or let fate take its course. Both books offer a powerful exploration of masculinity, violence, and the consequences of a life lived on the edge.

Walter Van Tilburg Clark

The Ox-Bow Incident

Set in the Old West, 'The Ox-Bow Incident' follows a group of vigilantes who take the law into their own hands and hang three men accused of cattle rustling and murder. The novel explores the themes of mob mentality, justice, and the corrupting influence of power, much like 'The Power of the Dog'.

A.B. Guthrie Jr.

The Big Sky

In 'The Big Sky', A.B. Guthrie Jr. tells the story of Boone Caudill, a young man who sets out to explore the uncharted territories of the American West. Along the way, he encounters danger, adventure, and a diverse cast of characters that challenge his preconceptions and force him to confront his own demons. Both books offer a powerful exploration of the human spirit and the challenges of life in the American West.