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Genre

Western Fiction

The Novel and Its Forms

Western fiction is a genre of literature set in the American Old West frontier, typically in the late eighteenth to late nineteenth century. Prominent authors include Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour, and the genre's popularity peaked in the early 1960s, aided by televised Westerns such as Bonanza, before declining significantly from the mid-1970s onward.

Facts
Place of Origin
United States 1
Notable Example
Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour 1
Defining Trait
Set in the American Old West frontier, typically the late eighteenth to late nineteenth century 1
Connections

Encompasses Form

Space Western, Genres

Form Of Genre

The Novel, Genres
In the Other Atlases
Sources
1. Western Fiction (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Lead paragraph, first sentence
    Western fiction is a genre of literature set in the American Old West frontier and typically set from the late eighteenth to the late nineteenth century.
  • Lead paragraph, second sentence
    Well-known writers of Western fiction include Zane Grey from the early 20th century and Louis L'Amour from the mid-20th century.
  • History, Pre-1850s section, opening sentence
    The predecessor of the Western in American literature emerged early with tales of the frontier.
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