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Book Review of The Homesman

The Homesman
The Homesman
Author: Glendon Swarthout
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Book Type: Paperback
reviewed Not a typical western. on
Helpful Score: 3


Life was hard for men settling the west, but it was even harder for women, children and families. Some women reached the limits of their endurance and lost their minds as a result. The Homesman tells the story of a small comunity that engaged a 'Homesman' to escort several unfortunate women to their families back in the eastern states. Mary Bee Cuddy, school teacher, 'plain as an old tin pail', is the 'Homesman' for her small community. For help on her jouney, she engages a 'lowlife army deserter' she manages to rescue from hanging.
Tail of hardships of the trail as well as personal loneliness and overwhelming isolation that lead to unexpected and unfortunate outcomes. This well-written and intriguing novel portrays vivid characters and western life in an unusual story. Not a romance nor a typical western.