The Ox-bow Incident is a riveting western novel- but not the western you’re expecting. Written by Walter Van Tilburg Clark in 1940, this book surprised readers and continues to do so today with its painful portrayal of mob violence in the small town 1880’s west.
Author Clark seems to be intentionally departing from the usual form of a western. In many classic westerns, the form follows that of a Medieval quest with the cowboy in the role of knight. But in The Oxbow Incident, the protagonist is no hero.
This is the story of an everyman narrator who rides into town after a long spell in the back country and finds himself right in the middle of a gathering mob. Rumor has it that a local rancher has been killed. Some of the men council waiting for the sheriff and a proper investigation; others advocate for immediately forming a posse and personally seeing justice done. Most of the men are ambivalent.
This book is a gripping exploration of not only mob psychology but also vigilantism and the nature of true justice. And the when dust settles and evil deeds have been done, Ox-bow Incident draws out the way different men cope with their actions- or don’t. This book isn’t easy reading: there are murders, suicide, and despair. But it’s certainly worthwhile and makes a great discussion book.
Clean book, but violent with some racial slurs. I recommend this book for college and up. Buy it through my affiliate link to support Good Books for Catholic Kids: The Ox-Bow Incident.
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