Riders of the Purple Sage (Heathen Edition)

Set against the vivid backdrop of southern Utah in 1871, the narrative centers on Venters, a disillusioned gentile, and Lassiter, a wandering gunslinger on a quest. Jane Withersteen, a conflicted Mormon woman, grapples with her religious obligations and personal desires as she navigates the oppressive expectations of her community, particularly from Bishop Dyer and Elder Tull. This story intricately weaves themes of love, duty, and rebellion, establishing a powerful foundation for the western genre that Zane Grey is celebrated for.