Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain
Brokeback Mountain
Author: Annie Proulx
ISBN-13: 9780739462164
ISBN-10: 0739462164
Publication Date: 1997
Pages: 64
Rating:
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 22

3.7 stars, based on 22 ratings
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

30 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
A short story filled with hard, bitter truth about love and loss. Very well-written. The movie truly did stay true to the short story
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 106 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I haven't seen the movie and so I'm not "tainted" by the Hollywood view of this story.
It is very well written, very simple story. The story is simply told in an understated but beautiful manner. There are no graphic details to shock. Even the death of one of the characters is understated.
merrytranslator avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I read this because I love Annie Proulx's writing and because a local private school was going to teach it in English class which created a furor that made me curious. It is a beautiful story that spans the life of two men (in about 50 pages!!) I'm 60 and was surprised after reading it to find that I would not want to teach it in a high school English class, nor would I want an adolescent son or daughter to discuss it in a high school English class, not because of the homosexuality but because of the sexuality which is such an integral part of the story. In my opinion, the beauty of fiction is that it can be read and digested privately and there is plenty here to digest long after you finish the book. I highly recommend it.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Compelling, heartbreaking read.
Firefly avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
What a fantastic story. I saw the movie first, and then had to read the story. The movie was actually very true to the story. I was impressed with Proulx' use of language and description, and how such a short story could leave you feeling like you knew a huge piece of these men's life.
destinyj avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I loved the movie Brokeback Mountain so I was very excited to read this book. I was surprised to find that I was a little bored by the book. I found it to be a summary of the movie... not as rich in detail. I've never liked a movie more then a book! I still liked it and it was a quick read.
heathlover avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great love story that spans over a few decades. It is and will always be my favorite book. I have read it twice and just about ready to read it again. It will make you laugh and cry.
scrapbooklady avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"Brokeback Mountain" is a sad, haunting story of the impossible love relationship between two men. It's beautifully conceived and written; as a result, the story seems entirely authentic. The intensity that Ms. Proulx brings to the story is amazing considering the short length of the story.
TakingTime avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 1072 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
a powerful punch for such a small book.........
pj avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 208 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very small book but was disapointed in it. From all that I heard the movie was supposed to be really good so usually the book is even better but this was the exception. Not as good or interesting as I thought.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 30 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Short and sweet. A well written short story.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 391 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Even better than the movie--Although the men in the movie were soooo dreamy (SIGH)
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 3 more book reviews
This is a great story despite the movie adaptation. The book is much better.
dramaticgal avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 3 more book reviews
This book is short, sweet and simple. It's a beautiful love story and a lot happens, but you wouldn't believe it with how thin the book is. A very good read. If you haven't seen the movie yet, I suggest you read the book first.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 3 more book reviews
Very much in-line with the movie, a quick thought provoking read. Proulx has an interesting writing style that did engage me.
dcmltx avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 13 more book reviews
Great Book, excellent read, especially if you have seen the movie.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 412 more book reviews
Lovely little story (I am also a fan of the movie).
javagal avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 8 more book reviews
I read it as a comparison to the movie. I enjoyed both.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 38 more book reviews
The only disappointing thing about this books is the size (its only about 55 pages). It ended way to quick. I didnt get enough of the characters. I was left literally gasping for more.
Joynessdotcom avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 53 more book reviews
I did not enjoy this book, but many have.
PhilliesPhan avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 18 more book reviews
Excellent Short Story, really enjoyed it. Saw the movie first and was supprised when reading the book how close to the movie it really was.. which is rare.
undeaddoll avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 25 more book reviews
I enjoyed this more than the movie, it has more details and more insight to both of the characters than i believe a movie can deliver. It's a really quick read, which was somewhat dissapointing cause 50 pages isn't really long...but the overall story spanned a lifetime.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 28 more book reviews
After such a lovely and amazing movie, I was a little disappointed with this book. It's very short, really a short story and quite sparse -- written with little emotion and the minimum of words. I found myself imagining the softness of the movie while reading it.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 98 more book reviews
Wasn't what I thought it would be. I wanted to read the book instead of watching the movie and I'm glad I did. I think it was worth reading, although it wasn't the best book I've ever read, it was still an enllightening one.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 30 more book reviews
This story is very easy to read. It is a good story, although it really wasn't necessarily my type of story.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 22 more book reviews
Wonderful short story of a lost summer. Quick read would recommend highly.
Bibliocrates avatar reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 252 more book reviews
I really liked this book, a sad story about love and loss. The movie was great too, very true to this book.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 20 more book reviews
Well written if you connect with the subject matter
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 63 more book reviews
This is a very short story of about 55 pages. The story is about a love affair between two married men, and it is now a major motion picture in theaters with Heath Ledger and Jake Galenthal playing the lovers.
reviewed Brokeback Mountain on + 227 more book reviews
Saw the movie, never read the book. The book is powerful and well written. I never realized quite how short it is -more of a short story than a novel.