This is a beautifully written, somewhat oddly-told story about the 'Old West' (1873) and changing times. Beautifully written because Vanderhaeghe curates historical detail carefully and with exquisite sensibility. The details feel real, lived in, yet quite certainly richer than they ever were. Oddly told, because it is essentially the narrative of a man, Harry Vincent, who in 1953 decides to tell the story of that Old West, and of the irrevocable changes that shape our lives, by revisiting his experiences as a Hollywood titles writer in the silent film era of 1923 who was recruited by a movie mogul, Damon Ira Chance, to track down and get the story of Shorty McAdoo, the "last" of the true cowboys in that Old West era.

See what I mean? It's not clear why Harry decides to tell his story now, and the narrative largely proceeds as alternating chapters: Shorty's tale in 1873 when he is known as the "Englishman's boy" because he is gun bearer to and Englishman at the outset of that tale ... but he is still called that (by the narrator) after he moves on quickly from those duties and joins a posse of Americans who are trying to track down Indians who stole their horses (apparently based on historical facts) to form the major storyline in the book; and Harry's tale in 1923 when his employer, Chance, needs Harry to convince Shorty to tell him "his story" (unknown story to that point) which Chance believes will be the basis of the epic film he has planned. A masterpiece that only later does he explain will serve his ulterior motives. Once in a while, we get 1953 Harry interjecting about 1923's Harry's exploits concerning McAdoo's exploits of 1873. Not my favourite aspect of the book.

The book is especially brisk and fresh at the outset, but sags somewhat before mid-point as McAdoo and the posse face tribulations, eventually travelling to Canada. There are too many scenes of this ilk (or maybe having read The Good Lord Bird and Blood Meridian recently these scenes are simply too familiar and repetitive for me: riders encountering the elements and possible hostilities in a harsh landscape of the Old West).
Unfortunately, Vanderhaeghe also starts dropping broad hints about a tragic end to this 1873 endeavour (the fate of a "girl") and it becomes clear that this will be revealed at the end. This feels manipulative when he drops that hint for maybe the third or fourth time. He wants us to know there will be a big "payoff" and that is an event that culminates with a notorious incident that took place in Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan. I will also say this: I don't think those action scenes are the best written parts of the book; sometimes I had to re-read what were confusing bits.

Also, there were a couple of times where the book could have used a bit of an edit, scenes that served to slow the narrative flow but were meant to display the historical detail of the time, e.g., details of an Assiniboine village or trading post were too extensive, making me feel the author wanted me to know that he did his research -- which he clearly did -- yet brought the story to a near-halt. Yet that's a minor quibble and given the genre, historical fiction, undoubtedly there are readers who prefer over-inclusion of such historical detail.

Meanwhile back to Harry in 1923, he encounters obstacles in getting McAdoo's story that don't always ring true, but seem stacked in his way for purposes of conflict. McAdoo is, however, a very compelling character. There's a nice subplot with Harry's beautiful Jewish co-worker, Rachel, who betrays a wit worthy of Dorothy Parker. The movie eventually gets made and results in a (for me) not entirely believable incident at the premiere.

For whatever its minor flaws, however, this was an exceedingly well-written, entertaining and readable book.