A million ways to die in the West by Seth MacFarlane, Ballantine Books, 211 pages, $26.95.
Arizona in the 1800's was a formidable place, hot, dry, and dangerous. "Everything that is not you wants you dead, "Albert Stark would often say. "Outlaws, Indians, angry gamblers, disgruntled prostitutes, wild animals, the weather, disease - hell, even a trip to the dentist means taking your life in your hands."
With that view of the Wild West Stark is a man used to being called cowardly. In fact, he has embraced his cowardice as a shield against the many threats he sees around him. When his public shaming at a one-sided gunfight results in him losing the only woman he's ever loved Stark is thrown into a dark pool of despair.
Gunfighters, escaping sheep, Apache warriors and women all conflict with cowardly Stark who keeps looking for a way out but in the end must face up to the realities of the Old West, where his dry humour isn't always well received.
There are no dull moments in the small town of Old Stump and soon Stark has a lot more to think about than lost love. Author Seth MacFarlane, well known for his comic work on the television shows, Family Guy and American Dad, and his film Ted, keeps the story rolling with his sharp wit and hilarious observations.
The book is based on the screenplay and the movie version will be released this summer.
