This short story was far better and close to the actual movie than I expected. I absolutely adore Annie Proulx, though, so that's to be expected.

Honestly, I think more people should read the short story and actually pay attention to it, because this is not about "two gay cowboys". First of all, they aren't gay. Second of all, they aren't cowboys. Third of all, it's not about their romance. It's about homophobia and society pressure, both external and internal. And it is absolutely wonderful. By far, one of my favorite short stories. The prose fits the plot and setting of the story: spare, bare, without embellishment. Raw. Proulx is an absolutely fabulous writer. She manages to fit more detail into about 30 pages than most writers do into a novel. Honestly, this story was the perfect length. I don't even wish it were longer, because it is perfect.

Reading the screenplay right after the short story is also a wonderful experience, because you get to compare the two. The authors are right. Why don't more people adapt short stories? Get on that Hollywood! It's truly a great adaptation, the screen writers often taking not only dialogue, but even prose straight from the short story and copying it word for word into the screenplay. Simply wondrous.

I could go on for a very long time about the politics of this story and it's movie, but that's not what this is for. Just suffice it to say, you won't regret reading it.