Welcome to Litsy!

Billed as a “queer, feminist Western,” this novel is full of supposedly captivating characters but I wasn‘t totally sold. Never once did I feel like the narrative straddled me, stared me in the eye, and let down its hair. It all felt a little fast and loose. I wanted something deep and tight. I galloped along the surface of the text and was happy when I found myself at the end. Like Bridget, I‘m eager to move on to something else.

I was struck with the realization that everyone around me had, at least at one time, had all the depth it takes to give themselves away. It was troubling in a way; I rolled the other gals over in my mind, and the sleeping Queen suddenly felt very crowded with so many beating hearts.

"What do you do that for?" I asked her one time, after a couple of weeks of watching her flip some novel open and shut eight or nine times a night...

She... thought a moment before answering me. "Some time ago, when I was a little younger than you are now, I realized I've only the one life to live. It rankled me then, and it rankles me now," she said. "At least this way I can taste a few others."

Tho book as really fun! Happy Spring!

Another #auldlangspine recommendation by @HOTPock3tt that I quite enjoyed. Bridget is as lucky as her distinctive red hair... until she isn't. I don‘t visit the wild west often, but it's always a fun ride.

@monalyisha

Really loved the descriptions and phrases in this queer female-centered western story. The audio narration was perfect too… I really felt immersed in the setting. I have to admit that some of the middle section dragged a bit, but this sure ended with a flurry of action!

A western, but make it woman-centered and queer. Wish Netflix would do an adaptation of this.

Good. Dragged a bit in the middle, but that might have been my issue not the book's. I also got annoyed with the main character being slow to pick up on things. Lots of action and drama.

^^p. 64 that one breath

P 74 “It was something else in Sallie that drew the eye. She never hurried, moving as though she had all the time in the world, like sap that could run slow or fast but wouldn‘t be told, and she had a way of making you feel that you were right on the verge of impressing her, that any minute now you‘d say or do just the thing to win her over.”

P 44 “the instinct to openly size a man up before he does the same to you”

Queer Western set in a Dodge City brothel run by women. A long set-up, some sections & transitions feel clunky, but beautiful prose & surprises in here & when the pieces fall in place for the twist & the characters get clear direction, it‘s sad, shocking & satisfying. Tropes of the old west, but feels lived in. Loyalty & betrayal. Survival. Naiveté. Coming of age. Misfortune. Search for stability. Women taking care of business. 2023

It took me a bit to get into this queer, feminist Western. But once I did, I was fully wrapped up in the story and rooting for the plucky Bridget. I definitely recommend this one!

An interesting queer feminist western, even if it never quite captured my heart. (Tbh, I read this mostly while very sick, so that might have something to do with it). There is a great twist that came a little late for me; the pacing up until then felt too slow. I did really like the nuanced depictions of sex workers -- most of the novel is set in a whorehouse which I appreciate as a usual backdrop to westerns finally given center stage!

4⭐
Westerns are like the perfect escape from what I normally read/listen to. And this one hit exactly right since it wasn‘t too ya but also wasn‘t too old-school Western, either. This one centers on the oldest profession in the world…whoring. It could‘ve used a little more adventure or action, if you will, but other than that it was a fun little romp through the old West.

When 16-year-old Bridget‘s father died from a rattlesnake bite when they were on their way west, she‘s left to survive on her own. She stumbles into Dodge City half starved with a mule and not much else. With no other options, Bridget is recruited to work at the Buffalo Queen, the nicest brothel in town.
When a legendary female gunslinger rolls into town, Bridget and the Queen will never be the same.
#strangelingsbookclub