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A review by annaheist
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
challenging
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.5
This book is hefty, in terms of historical information, and is not the style of book I would typically pick up to read. But after hearing the plot of the movie coming out later this year, I was fascinated by this true story and had to know Grann’s account. Kind of surprisingly, the story gripped me from start to finish; it is one that left me thinking about it from the moment I put the book down to when I picked it up again.
All of this being said, I can understand that this style of writing may not be for everyone. There were a LOT of people introduced throughout the book. I appreciated that Grann seemed to acknowledge that fact by continually reintroducing characters whenever they resurfaced in the narrative, sometimes by a very brief synopsis of the aforementioned events with which they were associated. Even with these helps, I had to flip back and forth on occasion, and sometimes had to reread paragraphs to regain my attention. I’m grateful I consumed this in print, rather than via audiobook, and would recommend other readers do the same (unless they have an exceptional memory).
This is an important piece of American history. The way Grann laid out the story had me wanting to know more and more, and he delivered. I know I will be thinking about this account for a long time.
All of this being said, I can understand that this style of writing may not be for everyone. There were a LOT of people introduced throughout the book. I appreciated that Grann seemed to acknowledge that fact by continually reintroducing characters whenever they resurfaced in the narrative, sometimes by a very brief synopsis of the aforementioned events with which they were associated. Even with these helps, I had to flip back and forth on occasion, and sometimes had to reread paragraphs to regain my attention. I’m grateful I consumed this in print, rather than via audiobook, and would recommend other readers do the same (unless they have an exceptional memory).
This is an important piece of American history. The way Grann laid out the story had me wanting to know more and more, and he delivered. I know I will be thinking about this account for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Murder, and Toxic relationship