The stories are all very contemporary, but Reacher is an old-West character for sure. He could be a Zane Grey character. But the funny thing is, I didn't really realize that until well after the first book was written, and I wasn't a big Western fan as a kid.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The author notes his character fits the archetype of an old-West hero despite modern settings. He realized this influence unconsciously after writing the first book.
- In plain terms
- His modern hero actually acts like a classic cowboy from old Westerns.
- What can you take from it?
- Archetypal influences often emerge in work even without conscious intent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What classic styles show up in your work?
- How does the past shape current stories?
Another view
Relying on old archetypes might feel outdated if not updated for modern audiences.
More from Lee Child
The British regulatory system was revised, so that bigger profits were encouraged, which removed the option of big spending on programming. Quality just fell o…
Permalink to quote #40 There should be an unspoken rule that anything shown before, say, nine o'clock will be fairly inoffensive. After that, anything goes.
Permalink to quote #42 Specifically, I was determined to avoid the hero-as-self-aware-damaged-person paradigm. I'm afraid as a reader I got sick of all the depressed and miserable al…
Permalink to quote #39
Related quotes
Though her mien carries much more invitation than command, to behold her is an immediate check to loose behavior; to love her is a liberal education.
Richard SteeleRichard Steele quote #1 The first thing I ever thought of when I thought of 'Buffy: The Movie' was the little...blonde girl who goes into a dark alley and gets killed, in every horror…
Joss WhedonJoss Whedon quote #1 The best good man, with the worst natur'd muse.
James BoswellJames Boswell quote #3