Edge Number 8 Seven Out of Hell by George G Gilman
Now, this one confused me. I missed a big plot point. I had these 2 different stories, and I was waiting for them to join up at the end. It was only at the very end that I realised one story was in flashback, from Edge’s point of view. I have no idea HOW I MISSED THIS!!!
This is the first Edge Novel I have read that I can remember. I have vague memories of reading it one year ago and enjoying it, but I could not remember which title.
‘George Gilman’ was the pen name of the writer Terry Harknett, one of a number of British authors, designated the ‘Piccadilly Cowboys’, who churned out western fiction for U.K. paperback publishers during the 70s and 80s. There is a great article about him here. Apologies as its a dreadful website!
Half of the tale is told in flashbacks with Edge fighting in the civil war. The other half of the story is set in Edges present. He is a passenger on a train that’s held up by a group of Chinese bandits.
The flashback tells the tale of Edge and six of his men (therefore the title Seven Out Of Hell) and their escape from a Confederate prison. They come across a town that seems to be populated only by women and a priest. The women are heavily armed and not happy to have this group of men in town. It all kicks off in a violent, unpleasant way.
The “real-time” story has Edge taking a train west, but the journey comes to an abrupt halt when a group of Chinese bandits hold the train up, killing some folk and taking hostages. Unfortunately for them, Edge is one of the hostages.
I picked this title at random, having never read any of the Edge novels. Experience has taught me it doesn’t matter what order you read these adult Westerns as the stories always follow a similar theme. They do exactly what they say on the tin!! Quick read, full of action and over-the-top violence. There is a particularly grisly death via a sledgehammer.
Many people have recommended these novels to me, so I thought it was about time I bit the bullet. At first, I was not as impressed, especially as I seemed to miss the connection between the 2 stories. I kept wondering if everything was going to tie up at the end. It did, but as I said, not in the way I expected.
The one thing that I did find a bit jarring was Edge’s comedic quips. Sort of double entendre and wordplay that seemed at odds with the character. Most of the Adult Westerns I have read are pretty humourless. He kept throwing in a joke at the end of almost every chapter. I’m not sure if this is a theme, so I’ll grab another off the shelf no doubt, and fire through.
That said, I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style and the violent acts are grim and grittily described as ever!!! Edge is a great character and I can see how he kept going for so long ( 61 books I believe you can check the list here) and you can read the whole series on kindle.
Also, I have to add, look at that awesome cover art. Outstanding. The striking cover illustration is by the great British artist Richard Clifton-Dey (1930 -1997), who provided cover art for the first fifteen Edge novels, as well as for the ‘Gringos’ and ‘Jubal Cade’ western series, among other NEL titles.
I wanted to enjoy this but for some reason struggled. I think I should have read the first two or three first to get to know the character. So, that’s exactly what I’m going to do!
