Grey can be a maddening writer. His descriptions geographic settings of scenes are unmatched in their detail and the mental images they invoke but then he can go far overboard with them, as with his descriptions of Surprise Valley and Deception Pass. But he had me wondering what about Surprise Valley was based on an actual location he had visited and how much he had imagined.

But the most maddening thing I find with his writing is exemplified by the dialogue in this book. Much of the dialogue between Lassister and Jane Withersteen conforms to the archaic, overwrought style of early 20th century fiction. But much of the dialogue (with exceptions) between Venters and Bess are more contemporary, much like my favorite Zane Grey novel, The Mysterious Rider.
This novel would've been much improved by more editing. Much of the Withersteen plot is repetitive as is the subplot with Venters in Surprise Valley.

The novel deserves its classic designation but I found it uneven. The archaic nature of the writing of much of this book is what made The Lone Star Ranger so unreadable. But there's plenty of action and two great love stories to enjoy. I also found the indictment of Mormons highly interesting and, from what I've read, historically accurate.