After receiving his B.A. from Oberlin College and doing graduate work at Columbia University, Schaefer spent most of his adult life working as a journalist. His first novel, Shane (1949), a portrait of a gunfighter trying to escape his violent past, was a success. Schaefer covers a variety of themes in his work, including the relationship of the individual to the community and how people overcome obstacles while maintaining their integrity. His characterizations are often memorable, and he has a gift for writing dialogue that sounds realistic. Critic Fred Erisman has remarked that "Schaefer brings to his writing a clear-cut sense of professionalism, a deeply felt commitment to the story-teller's craft, and a keen ear for the spoken word."
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