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A review by thenovellife
Outlawed by Anna North
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
After reading Outlawed, to say I'm thankful to not be living in the 1894 West would be quite the understatement. We begin Outlawed with young Ada's marriage and subsequent turning out of her husband's home due to her inability to get pregnant.
Knowing the last female in her town that could not/did not conceive was accused of witchcraft and hanged, Ada has very few choices of where to turn. While growing up she trained with her mother to take over the midwife business, but that's no longer an option. Her heart is in medicine and helping others, which makes it all the more tragic that she's unable to continue down her planned path.
Where to turn?
Am I thankful to be living in 2021 America. I cannot fathom the idiocy nor the hoops women had to jump through in the late 1800s just to live. It enrages me. I thought not being paid enough as a man was pretty enraging...being accused of witchcraft and threatened with the stockade or hanging because I can't have children is insane.
This book makes you think.
There are underlying themes of religion - " Is religion a vehicle for good or an
excuse for punishment?"
Themes of family and who IS family - the one who turns you out or the one who takes you in when no one else will.
Themes of mental illness, gender, sexuality, insane townspeople believing their neighbors could be a witch because children were dying from the flu and other craziness. Outlawed would make an excellent book club selection - so many themes to discuss - the religion question can keep you talking for hours alone!
Knowing the last female in her town that could not/did not conceive was accused of witchcraft and hanged, Ada has very few choices of where to turn. While growing up she trained with her mother to take over the midwife business, but that's no longer an option. Her heart is in medicine and helping others, which makes it all the more tragic that she's unable to continue down her planned path.
Where to turn?
Am I thankful to be living in 2021 America. I cannot fathom the idiocy nor the hoops women had to jump through in the late 1800s just to live. It enrages me. I thought not being paid enough as a man was pretty enraging...being accused of witchcraft and threatened with the stockade or hanging because I can't have children is insane.
This book makes you think.
There are underlying themes of religion - " Is religion a vehicle for good or an
excuse for punishment?"
Themes of family and who IS family - the one who turns you out or the one who takes you in when no one else will.
Themes of mental illness, gender, sexuality, insane townspeople believing their neighbors could be a witch because children were dying from the flu and other craziness. Outlawed would make an excellent book club selection - so many themes to discuss - the religion question can keep you talking for hours alone!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Sexism