The Man Called Noon

The Man Called Noon. It is a Western novel written by the prolific American author Louis L'Amour and first published in 1970. The story follows an amnesiac gunman who must piece together his identity and survive in a violent landscape of hidden treasure and ruthless adversaries. A classic example of L'Amour's narrative style, the book blends action, mystery, and the stark morality of the American frontier.

Plot summary

A man awakens in the Rocky Mountains with no memory, wounded and pursued by unknown assailants. He learns he may be a legendary, feared gunman known as Jonas "Jon" C. "Noon" or perhaps the outlaw Ruble Noon. With the help of a woman named Fan Davidge and a drifter named Ben Janish, he navigates a treacherous path involving a hidden fortune in Mexican gold, stolen years earlier from a revolutionary leader. The search centers on a remote ranch owned by the mysterious Judge Niland, drawing the attention of powerful enemies like the wealthy John R. "Peg" C. "Noon" and his hired killers. The climax involves a deadly confrontation in a labyrinthine canyon system, where the protagonist's recovered skills and fragmented memories decide the fates of all involved.

Publication history

The novel was first published in 1970 by Bantam Books, a leading publisher of mass-market paperback fiction. It appeared during a highly productive period for L'Amour, following successful works like *Hondo* and *Flint*. The book has remained almost continuously in print, with numerous reissues under the Bantam and Bantam Spectra imprints over subsequent decades. Its publication coincided with a renewed popular interest in Western films and literature, though the genre was beginning to evolve with more psychologically complex protagonists.

Reception and critical analysis

Upon release, the novel was received as a solid, entertaining entry in L'Amour's vast bibliography, praised for its fast-paced plot and atmospheric Southwestern settings. Critics often note its effective use of the amnesia trope to explore themes of identity and redemption, common in L'Amour's later work. While not as frequently cited as landmark novels like *Shalako* or *The Sackett Brand*, it is considered a standout for its mystery elements. Academic analysis sometimes places it within the tradition of the "adult Western", examining the moral ambiguity of its hero compared to the clear-cut heroes of earlier pulp stories.

Adaptations

The novel was adapted into a European co-production film in 1973, directed by Peter Collinson and starring Richard Crenna as the amnesiac hero. The film, also titled *The Man Called Noon*, featured an international cast including Stephen Boyd, Rosanna Schiaffino, and Farley Granger. It was filmed on location in Spain, utilizing the rugged landscapes of Almería and Andalusia to stand in for the American Southwest. While the film follows the novel's basic premise, several plot details and character motivations were altered for the screen. It is regarded as a competent, if not groundbreaking, entry in the Spaghetti Western-influenced cycle of the early 1970s.

Themes and style

The novel prominently explores the construction of identity, as the protagonist must define himself through action rather than memory, a theme L'Amour also touched upon in *Kiowa Trail*. The style is characterized by lean, economical prose, detailed descriptions of survival techniques, and meticulously researched settings, from the flora of the Sonoran Desert to the mechanics of Frontier-era firearms. Central themes include the search for justice outside formal law, the burden of a violent past, and the redemptive power of love and loyalty, as seen in the relationship between the hero and Fan Davidge. The narrative structure builds tension through a series of chase sequences and cryptic clues, reflecting the influence of hardboiled detective fiction on the Western genre.

Category:American novels Category:Western novels Category:1970 novels