Great Historical Novels of the American West
As we in the northern hemisphere hope for signs of new life and spring, I’ve discovered a new (to me) author—Sandra Dallas, who has written more than a dozen historical novels set in the American West, focused on common people often ignored by historians. I’ll share my reflections on two of her novels:
Little Souls—latest novel of Sandra Dallas, set in Denver around 1918.
Why does the world need another novel about the 1918 Influenza Epidemic?
Author Sandra Dallas creates a multifaceted plot. The epidemic is only one of several intriguing elements.
Others include:
- The drama and impact of the U.S. entry into World War I
- Ethical challenges young men face in deciding whether to enlist
- Life in Denver in this era, particularly for young single women
- Denver’s underworld of bootlegging, gambling, kidnapping, and violence directed toward children
Characters: range from dregs of society to saintly
- Lutie (Lucretia) Hite – protagonist, she’s an aspiring artist who designs ads for women’s clothing store
- Peter Howell – Lutie’s fiancé, a seminary student from an affluent family
- Anne Howell – Peter’s mother, a wealthy woman with a surprising past
- Helen Hite – Lutie’s sister, a nurse who faces daily the pandemic’s horrors
- Gil Rushton – Helen’s fiancé, a young physician
- Dorothy – young girl orphaned by the pandemic, she faces multiple difficulties no child should encounter
- Ronald Streeter – Dorothy’s father, involved in nefarious crime network
- Gus Vincent – criminal associate of Mr. Streeter
- Beulah Vincent – wife of Gus, she’s Ronald Streeter’s sister, also involved in criminal activities
Strengths:
- Sympathetic, unique characters
- Setting details that draw in readers
- Well-written, engaging plot
Weakness:
The conclusion may wrap up the story a bit too neatly. (If you read this novel, let me know what you think!)
Content review:
This novel includes references to violent crime and sexual violence.
I recommend Little Souls
to readers who enjoy plunging into a new era and place, and who can tolerate the wounding of sympathetic characters.
The Last Midwife, set in 1880 in rural Colorado.
Could a woman who has devoted her life to birthing babies murder an infant?
What would motivate her to commit such a crime?
In 1880, Gracy Brookens, the trusted longtime midwife of her Colorado mining town, faces a charge of murdering a struggling newborn after the town’s most prominent citizen calls her to save the baby.
Characters:
The Last Midwife tells Gracy’s story, which turns out to be a tangled web involving many people, both in and beyond the town. The mine’s owner, the sheriff, Gracy’s husband and son, and the other characters—each has secrets that, if revealed, would taint his or her reputation.
From the outset, the author portrays Gracy in a sympathetic light:
- She’s a woman willing to endure exhaustion and low pay for the joy of birthing babies
- She possesses a backwoods wisdom gained from her mentor and life experience instead of books
- She’s aware of her own shortcomings as well as those of others, and she’s willing to forgive.
Readers’ concern for Gracy will keep them hooked, even as they fear for her fate.
Strengths:
- Characters are distinct and strong
- Setting is a character of its own
- Plot makes the story difficult to put down
Weakness:
I challenge readers to point out a weakness; I couldn’t pinpoint any.
Content review:
This novel shows the brutality and immorality of frontier life.
I recommend The Last Midwife
to readers who enjoy a novel set deep within frontier culture, with flawed but endearing characters, and twists that will make your mind spin.
Reader, do you have a favorite novel of the American West?