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The Homesman
The Homesman | Glendon Swarthout
5 posts | 10 read | 2 to read
The Homesman is a devastating, humane story of early pioneers to America's West in the 1850's. It celebrates the ones we hear nothing of-the brave women whose hearts and minds were broken by that life of bitter hardship. When a nineteen-year-old mother loses her three children to diphtheria in three days, or a woman left alone for two nights has to shoot wolves as they crash through the window, it is no wonder they should lose their minds. After a dreadful winter, the Rev. Dowd finds there are four such cases in his parish and, as yet, no asylum in this frontier town. A 'homesman' must be found to escort the women East to civilization. Not a job anyone would volunteer for, it falls to Mary Bee Cuddy, ex-teacher, spinster-indomitable, resourceful, "plain as an old tin pail." Brave as she is, Mary Bee knows she cannot succeed alone, and the only companion available is the low-life and untrustworthy "George Briggs," a claim-jumper.Thus begins a trek East, against the tide of colonization, against hardship, Indian attacks, ice storms, loneliness, and the unceasing aggravation of a disparate group of mad women, which provides a series of tough, fast-paced adventures and introduces two wonderful, idiosyncratic characters. Coming to cinemas in 2014 with an incredible cast - featuring Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank and John Lithgow. Not to be missed!
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BooksFootballBeer
Homesman | Glendon Swarthout
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Friday night

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Reader651
The Homesman | Glendon Swarthout
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Pickpick

I enjoyed The Homesman. It's a good old-fashioned western with a genuine surprise or two. I also appreciated the fact that Swarthout made me think about his characters motivations and development throughout the story.

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Wife
The Homesman | Glendon Swarthout
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So I watched the movie 🎥 first, and thought this is probably a really good book. I was right.

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beckygracelea
The Homesman | Glendon Swarthout
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A stunning, melancholic exploration of the hardships women faced in the Territories. Always refreshing to find female-focused stories in Western fiction.

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Eiketske
Homesman | Glendon Swarthout
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If you ever read a western, read this one. A wonderful, insightful look into a part of the history of the settlers at least I never thought about.