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marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
This is the historical fictionalized story of Cathy Williams, a former slave, and the only woman ever to serve as a Buffalo Soldier. This story hurt my heart, not only for Cathy but for all the slaves, all those torn apart by war between families, the treatment of blacks and Native Americans, and also the horrors of violence by all sides against everyone. And in the end very few had happy endings, including Cathy Williams. The real Cathy Williams had her feet amputated, late in life, but I do hope she had some good memories, like the fictionalized Cathy Williams had.
Having mentioned good memories for the fictionalized Cathy Williams, there was a twist at the very ending that stabbed a knife in my already sad heart. But as Cathy was written, I think she had the strength, passed on to her from her mother and grandmother, to see that twist in a better light than I saw it and that's the way I'll remember this book. Cathy Williams, was a very strong person, very strong woman, and very strong man, when she had to pretend she wasn't a woman. Her life was so unbearably harsh, from the moment she was born and she did the best she could with it, in a way very few could do.
As the story was written, Cathy, as both a woman and as a woman pretending to be a man, grew on me. As hard as the book was to read because of the brutalities of Cathy's life and those around her, I admired her humor and her way of seeing things she could not change. Knowing she was based on a real person, I knew her future couldn't turn out rosy, but she allowed me to hope it could. She made of her life the best that she could and it was a whole lot better than most people could have done. I'm glad I read the book even as I'm left with a deep sadness for the cruelties that we inflict on each other.
Published September 4, 2018.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
Having mentioned good memories for the fictionalized Cathy Williams, there was a twist at the very ending that stabbed a knife in my already sad heart. But as Cathy was written, I think she had the strength, passed on to her from her mother and grandmother, to see that twist in a better light than I saw it and that's the way I'll remember this book. Cathy Williams, was a very strong person, very strong woman, and very strong man, when she had to pretend she wasn't a woman. Her life was so unbearably harsh, from the moment she was born and she did the best she could with it, in a way very few could do.
As the story was written, Cathy, as both a woman and as a woman pretending to be a man, grew on me. As hard as the book was to read because of the brutalities of Cathy's life and those around her, I admired her humor and her way of seeing things she could not change. Knowing she was based on a real person, I knew her future couldn't turn out rosy, but she allowed me to hope it could. She made of her life the best that she could and it was a whole lot better than most people could have done. I'm glad I read the book even as I'm left with a deep sadness for the cruelties that we inflict on each other.
Published September 4, 2018.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.
laurazdavidson's review against another edition
4.0
Compelling account of Cathy Williams (aka William Cathay), a former slave who hid her sex and served with the Buffalo Soldiers after the Civil War. As with all historical fiction, this is a mix of truth and fiction... I'd love to read a nonfiction account of Williams's life.
pattiecarlin's review against another edition
4.0
At first I was concerned about this book being able to have an authentic voice. Luckily, I downloaded the audiobook, which had an interview with the author and her editor that addressed my concerns and made me see the true love and care that went into this novel. Thank you, Sarah Bird, for managing to get Cathy's story into my hands.
gabbyjo's review against another edition
5.0
This was an engaging read! I love Cathy’s sass and perseverance to do and be better for herself, her family and to fulfill her grandmother’s dream. I also enjoyed the author’s note at the end.
hijinx_abound's review against another edition
3.0
Parts of this book were so good. I loved that it was based on a real woman who served with the Buffalo soldiers. A woman with smarts and grit and a determination to make a better life for African American people after the civil war. She is stubborn and strong and intends to defy the odds. She sees such hope for the world after the civil war only to have her hopes dashed repeatedly.
What kept it from a higher rating was, in large part, the ending. I was frustrated and irritated with the last revelation and felt that it was a terrible way for her story to end. Of course that was just my opinion.
What kept it from a higher rating was, in large part, the ending. I was frustrated and irritated with the last revelation and felt that it was a terrible way for her story to end. Of course that was just my opinion.
pianorunner421's review against another edition
4.0
If you enjoy historical fiction based on a real person, read this book. If you are new to that genre, read this one first. So so soooo good!
theamandashuman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
This was so well put together. We meet Cathy Williams toward the end of the Civil War, when she is "requisitioned" as a cook for the Union army, under General Sheridan. Cathy is the granddaughter of an Amazon queen, tall and muscular. As a recently freed Black woman, she is swept up in the end of the Civil War and opts to conceal her gender and join up with the peacetime army. Sarah Bird doesn't write a lot (in the galley, at least) about why she chose to pursue this story, or how much of it is based in fact, or whether it's even possible for us to know ANYTHING about women who served in the Buffalo Soldiers branch of the U.S. Calvary after the Civil War, but the tale she weaves is compelling and unputdownable. At 400 pages, this book breezed by. Definitely recommended for history aficionados.
kkuecker218's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Cultural appropriation, Hate crime, Violence, Racism, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, War, Racial slurs, and Slavery