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A review by bookstorian
Outlawed by Anna North
3.5
At first I really wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book, for one reason or another it wasn't immediately added to my TBR but when I found it on the shelf of my nearest second hand bookstore for the right price it was mine.
Set against the harsh American West in the late 1800's Ada's inability to have a child leads her to join the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang in order to survive and search for meaning. With beautiful descriptions of place, a swagger of empowered and curious characters who were unified in their pain and anger as well as exploration of themes including hysteria, shame, womanhood, gender identity and sexuality 'Outlawed' was a unique and riveting story which had me yearning for a blaze of glory ending.
Some things that I did struggle with was how realistic the story actually was in terms of divorce, illegitimate children, convents and witchcraft, a quick author's note about some of these things would have been great. I did also feel kind of robbed with the love story, it was so short lived.
Similar to Milan.
Set against the harsh American West in the late 1800's Ada's inability to have a child leads her to join the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang in order to survive and search for meaning. With beautiful descriptions of place, a swagger of empowered and curious characters who were unified in their pain and anger as well as exploration of themes including hysteria, shame, womanhood, gender identity and sexuality 'Outlawed' was a unique and riveting story which had me yearning for a blaze of glory ending.
Some things that I did struggle with was how realistic the story actually was in terms of divorce, illegitimate children, convents and witchcraft, a quick author's note about some of these things would have been great. I did also feel kind of robbed with the love story, it was so short lived.
Similar to Milan.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Infertility, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia