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Pumpkin Rollers  By  cover art

Pumpkin Rollers

By: Elmer Kelton
Narrated by: George Guidall
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Publisher's summary

Six-time Spur Award winner Elmer Kelton was named the greatest Western author of all time by the Western Writers of America. In this novel, 18-year-old farmer Trey McLean aspires to be a cattle rancher. He leaves East Texas with four cows and heads west, but a corrupt sheriff quickly steals the animals. Helpless and confused, Trey finds trouble with a dangerous fugitive. But he also finds comfort and opportunity with a rancher’s lovely daughter.

©1996 Elmer Kelton (P)2002 Recorded Books, LLC

What listeners say about Pumpkin Rollers

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Easy listening

Great western tale, easy to listen to. Great story line and easy to follow the story from the very beginning.

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2 people found this helpful

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Don't be thrown off by the title

Another great tale by Elmer Kelton. Kelton is a master story teller, but he’s not as good at choosing titles. I almost rejected this selection because I didn’t see how something called “The Pumpkin Rollers” could be very interesting. Was I wrong! It turns out that “pumpkin rollers” is the derogatory name that frontier cattlemen had for dirt farmers. The pumpkin rollers in this case are a newly married couple, fresh from the farm, who set out for the yet untamed territory of west Texas with the hope raising cattle. As resolute as they are, they are unprepared for the lawlessness of the land. The result is gripping. And of course the narration by George Guidall is superb. Not to be missed by anyone who loves a good story.

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1 person found this helpful

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Excellent Western! Every minute interesting.

Good story line following a young couple. Elmer Kelton must be old school, because decency and moral integrity part of his story. No swearing, respect for marriage made this a pleasant listen. Real men who worked hard and looked out for others and tried to guide young men in a good way. Successful adult life is more about work than play, and Elmer's characters, male and female, knew how to work. Some villains. Characters who were not perfect. Some action. Interesting portrayal of cowboy life, which seemed accurate.

Narrator excellent.

Totally recommend this book.

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Hard and Beautiful

Like all of Elmer Kelton's books, this story takes a toll on the listener like the hard country in which it plays out. Yet it shows the world with a simple and honest beauty, one where a good life is rewarded in the end.

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So good

Really great story. Thank you Elmer Kelton for sharing your talent with us. And THANK YOU George Guidall.

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Excellent story

I was hooked from the first page!
There’s romance, from fighting and suspense all rolled into one.
It was really hard for me to find a stopping place.
I really think everyone will enjoy this book.

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OK but Beware

OK story.

But when the author introduces a good looking rapist and married women who are not loyal, then the reading becomes very uncomfortable. Because of this I almost quit listening to the book.

But I persisted and the ending was not as bad as I had anticipated. No good people were destroyed by rape or dishonesty in the end.

In the end I'd never want to read a book like this, as it was not enjoyable. As I was always worried something really bad was going to happen as mentioned above.

Good Quotes:

♦ It took 2 of him to cast a shadow
♦ It's like chasing a rainbow, they can never find where it begins or ends.
♦ Chasing a hawk's shadow through a chicken yard
♦ a pony that would throw me higher than a buzzard
♦ peddling whiskey and sin to the soldiers and cowboys

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A pumpkin roller it’s not!

Another great story from a marvelous western story teller Elmer Kelton read by George Guidall one of the best narrators that I’ve had the pleasure to listen to. A story of coming of age in a time when growing up was fraught with many obstacles both from the land and the people that occupied it. Don’t let the title scare you off.

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  • J.
  • 05-04-20

Awesome

Great story and one of the best Narrators that Audible has. 5 stars all the way around.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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I love these books

I love Elmer Kelton books for a number of reasons. But mainly because he is a master of the language of that time period. His idiomatic expressions and historically accurate usage truly fleshes out his characters and makes you care about them. That being said this story is not 'deep' but deeply satisfying for fans who enjoy reading about this era. I missed the characters when the story ended.

The narration is crisp, concise and easy to listen to....a little old fashioned yet maybe that adds to the experience. Overall, this book was worth my nickel:). Thanks Audible

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