Girl Waits With Gun ~ BRC
It’s October! My favorite month of the year! Fall is here–or in south Texas it’s thinking about maybe showing up sometime in the near future. (Very often kids are sweating profusely through their full body Halloween costumes come the end of the month.) Anyway, the Book Review Club was postponed a week, but now it’s here, so get ready to read some awesome reviews. I’ve read some good books recently, and out of all of them, I’ve chosen to review GIRL WAITS WITH GUN by Amy Stewart.
From Amazon:
Constance Kopp doesn’t quite fit the mold. She towers over most men, has no interest in marriage or domestic affairs, and has been isolated from the world since a family secret sent her and her sisters into hiding fifteen years ago. One day a belligerent and powerful silk factory owner runs down their buggy, and a dispute over damages turns into a war of bricks, bullets, and threats as he unleashes his gang on their family farm. When the sheriff enlists her help in convicting the men, Constance is forced to confront her past and defend her family — and she does it in a way that few women of 1914 would have dared.
You know I have to mention that cover–LOVE the newspaper aesthetic, the simple, eye catching coloring, and, of course, the calm composure of the “girl with the gun.”
While based on a true story, this is historical fiction, and it is written in such a way that reading about the Kopp sisters’ disrupted farm life is full of tension and comfort at the same time. I didn’t read the author’s note, which specifies which parts of the book are true and which are fiction, until I’d finished the book, and I must say that the author did such a stellar job of interweaving both parts together that I never would have guessed which parts were fabricated.
What I loved about this unique book:
1. The glimpse into small town and country life in the early 1900s in New York. Even though the world was changing, ushering in automobiles, electricity, and modern conveniences, the Kopp sisters lived on an isolated farm with none of these things. As they occasionally went into town–even into New York City–the disparity was notable. They were, in very many ways, living in the past. And yet, rather amazingly, they were ahead of their time.
2. The sisters! Constance’s courage and spunk, Norma’s snarky attitude and fascinating hobby (pigeon training!), and Fleurette’s flair for drama.
3. The ingenuity involved in trying to bring a malicious thug (a mill owner) to justice in a time when the odds were weighted decidedly with the thug.
4. Girl power!! Three women, living alone on a farm in 1914, being terrorized by a gang of thugs. They persevered, proved their mettle, and won the day. (And Constance even roughed up the mill owner a bit–whoop!)
5. The secret. I won’t spoil it, but I didn’t see it coming. (Probably should have, but I didn’t.)
6. The dialogue: Plain talking. Sometimes it’s exactly what a situation needs.
Really, I loved all of it. This is an excellent read, and I highly recommend it. I became so fascinated by these characters, that I felt compelled to look up the real people behind the story. I’ll save you the trouble… http://www.amystewart.com/characters/
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@Barrie Summy
10/14/2015 at 1:19 pm
I picked up a copy recently (I shouldn’t be allowed into Half Price Books, especially not with a bag of books to trade in!) and put in on my TBR real soon shelf. I think it just moved up a couple more slots.
10/14/2015 at 2:05 pm
I think you’ll really enjoy it, Kay! Thanks for stopping by!
10/14/2015 at 6:10 pm
Girl power rocks in any century! As does sister power! Plus, I’m interested in reading about pigeon training as a hobby. Thanks for reviewing!
10/14/2015 at 6:24 pm
Agreed, Barrie! (And the pigeon part is fascinating! And hilarious.) 😉
10/14/2015 at 8:46 pm
Typically I would find anything involving a gun off-putting, but strong “straight shooting” women in a historical setting sounds very appealing.
10/14/2015 at 9:44 pm
I get what you’re saying, Bee. And even with the guns, it was very appealing.
10/14/2015 at 10:12 pm
The cover and your description do sound fun. I’ve noticed a trend in the books you review: many are historical fiction/mysteries with strong female MCs. Have you thought of writing one yourself?
10/15/2015 at 4:32 pm
One day, Sarah! I’m not sure I’m ready to write a mystery just yet. But it’s on my bucket list!
10/16/2015 at 12:00 pm
I think I would like this one! Great cover!