The Draw by Jerome Bixby

"The Draw" by Jerome Bixby is a short story that blends elements of Western fiction with a touch of science fiction, likely written during the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of the American West, the narrative revolves around themes of power, skill, and the implications of newfound abilities. The story explores the life of a young, self-proclaimed gunman, Buck Tarrant, and his quest to become the fastest gun in the West, discovering a unique ability that allows him to think his gun into his hand. The plot follows Joe Doolin, a cowhand who witnesses Buck's transformation from an awkward kid to an incredibly fast gunman seemingly overnight—a change attributed to his telekinetic ability to will his gun into his hand. As Buck challenges the town sheriff, Ben Randolph, the tension mounts, culminating in a confrontation that reveals the limits of his power and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Through a blend of action and psychological exploration, the story raises questions about courage, fear, and the nature of true strength, all culminating in a gripping climax where the stakes of gunfighting extend beyond mere speed. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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About this eBook

Author Bixby, Jerome, 1923-1998
Illustrator Ashman, William
Title The Draw
Series Title Produced from Amazing Stories March 1954.
Credits Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net
Reading Level Reading ease score: 92.7 (5th grade). Very easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Science fiction
Subject Short stories
Subject Western stories
Subject Psychic ability -- Fiction
Category Text
eBook-No. 31778
Release Date
Last Update Jan 6, 2021
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 353 downloads in the last 30 days.

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