The Dude Wrangler

** "The Dude Wrangler" by Caroline Lockhart is a story about a young man named Wallie Macpherson who yearns for freedom and excitement after living a pampered life. The novel, which takes place in the American West, examines themes of who we are, what it means to be a man, and the differences between life in the city and life in the wild. We first meet Wallie at The Colonial Hotel, where he's staying with his aunt, and his funny interactions with hotel guests, especially the feisty Helene Spenceley, prepare us for the big changes ahead. After a funny argument that shows how he doesn't fit in and the problems he faces, Wallie's need for independence takes him to Idaho, where he hopes to start a homestead, and the beginning sets the tone, mixing humor with sincerity, teasing Wallie's upcoming trip into a world very unlike his old one. **