[PJ-Comix]

You know, I read and re-read that part several times and I came away thinking that Wilson actually hadn't been able to hit Shane in the book -- that it only appeared that he hit Shane, but that the bullet had actually come from the balcony. Was I wrong?

I reread it and the wound definitely came from Wilson. It was just about his belt to one side of the buckle which means it was a much more serious wound than that in the movie which means there was a greater likelihood that Shane wouldn't survive.

[miss marmelstein]

I may be wrong but I believe Shane is mortally wounded in the movie as well as the book. The last scene shows him riding towards Boot Hill. In the book, it is slightly more ambigious. What a smart pick for a book club!