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A review by sharonleavy
Outlawed by Anna North
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Girls are raised with marriage and childbirth as the end goal in the Independent town of Fairchild. And, indeed, most other towns in 1894.
Ada is married off at seventeen, but can't conceive. She goes to an outsider for "service" but she is kicked out by her in-laws when her secret is found out. Ada's mother is the town midwife, so Ada has significant knowledge of childbirth and the various reasons why women may not be able to conceive. This knowledge will turn out to be very useful for Ada, who must flee town immediately for her own safety when word begins to spread that she may be responsible in some way for a sickness spreading through town and affecting pregnancies.
This is a reimagining of the story of the Hole in the Wall Gang (the famous band of outlaws, not the comedy troupe from Northern Ireland), but instead of men, we have a gang of women who have been wronged by society in one way or another. Everyone has their own story, even the notorious Kid, leader of the gang. Topics like societal pressure, patriarchal nonsense and mental health are addressed in a clever, quick writing style. I found the book engaging, even though I would never usually go for anything remotely related to a Western. I read this on the recommendation of a friend (thanks, Lorraine) and I'm really glad I did, so if you fancy something a bit different, then give it a go.
Ada is married off at seventeen, but can't conceive. She goes to an outsider for "service" but she is kicked out by her in-laws when her secret is found out. Ada's mother is the town midwife, so Ada has significant knowledge of childbirth and the various reasons why women may not be able to conceive. This knowledge will turn out to be very useful for Ada, who must flee town immediately for her own safety when word begins to spread that she may be responsible in some way for a sickness spreading through town and affecting pregnancies.
This is a reimagining of the story of the Hole in the Wall Gang (the famous band of outlaws, not the comedy troupe from Northern Ireland), but instead of men, we have a gang of women who have been wronged by society in one way or another. Everyone has their own story, even the notorious Kid, leader of the gang. Topics like societal pressure, patriarchal nonsense and mental health are addressed in a clever, quick writing style. I found the book engaging, even though I would never usually go for anything remotely related to a Western. I read this on the recommendation of a friend (thanks, Lorraine) and I'm really glad I did, so if you fancy something a bit different, then give it a go.