G1050 Book Review of The last woman standing by Thelma Adams
Author: Thelma Adams
ISBN: 978-1503935181
Publisher: Lake Union
Type of book: 1880-1882, Arizona Tombstone, Josephine Marcus, Wyatt Earp, the lawless West, relationships, family, loyalty, gun fights
Year it was published: 2016
Summary:
Two decades after the Civil War, Josephine Marcus, the teenage daughter of Jewish immigrants, is lured west with the promise of marriage to Johnny Behan, one of Arizona’s famous lawmen. She leaves her San Francisco home to join Behan in Tombstone, Arizona, a magnet for miners (and outlaws) attracted by the silver boom. Though united by the glint of metal, Tombstone is plagued by divided loyalties: between Confederates and Unionists, Lincoln Republicans and Democrats.
But when the silver-tongued Behan proves unreliable, it is legendary frontiersman Wyatt Earp who emerges as Josephine’s match. As the couple’s romance sparks, Behan’s jealousy ignites a rivalry destined for the history books…
At once an epic account of an improbable romance and a retelling of an iconic American tale, The Last Woman Standing recalls the famed gunfight at the O.K. Corral through the eyes of a spunky heroine who sought her happy ending in a lawless outpost—with a fierce will and an unflagging spirit.
Characters:
Main characters include Josephine Sarah "Sadie" Marcus, Wyatt Earp and his brothers as well as Johnny Behan and his son Albert. There are some female characters, namely the Mustached Lady as well as Mollie the photographer, but I feel as if they are not as well drawn as Josephine, Wyatt and Johnny. Josephine is a fiery secular Jewish woman who seems to be constrained by her gender and propriety and often wants to make more of herself. She definitely stands out in multiple ways and is easy to remember. She used to want to be an actress and is rebellious. Johnny Behan is Josephine's first lover and he is as slick as a snake and takes advantage of people in multiple ways, be it financially or making promises he doesn't keep. (Please tell me that eventually he will get in trouble over what he said or done...) Wyatt Earp is someone I admired in the story because he is loyal to his brothers, friends and to Josephine. He is a man of few words but the words he says do count a lot. He is also brave and will do what is right even if its difficult. Mollie is a photographer who used Josephine as a model and she is confident and aware of herself.
Theme:
Family is strength
Plot:
The story is in first person narrative from Josephine's point of view, and I feel its more character-driven, as in the audience is seeing the growth of Josephine from a young naive teenager to a mature woman who has seen a lot in her two years at Tombstone Arizona. I often think that this is more than what it appears because its a tale of family bonds and strength as well as tale of coming-of-age and mothers and daughters. I don't recall explicit scenes. Also, what is rare for a story, is that although I thought it would be longer than it was, it has a perfect ending in my opinion, whether or not there will be sequel.
Author Information:
(From the book)
Thelma Adams is an established figure in the entertainment industry. For two decades, she has penned celebrity features and criticism for high-profile publications. Her portfolio of actor interviews includes Julianne Moore, George Clooney, Jessica Chastain, and Matthew McConaughey among many others. While covering film for the NEW YORK POST, US WEEKLY, and Yahoo movies, Thelma became a regular at film festivals from Berlin to Dubai, Toronto to Tribeca. She sits on the Hamptons International Film Festival Advisory Board and twice chaired the prestigious New YOrk Film Critics Circle. Her debut novel, PLAYDATE, published by Thomas Dunne Books, won high critical acclaim. Adams is often recognized, as she has been invited to share her expertise on many broadcast outlets, including appearances on NBC's TODAY, CBS's EARLY SHOW, and CNN. SHe graduated Phi Beta Kappa witha history degree from UC Berkeley and earned an MFA from Columbia University. She lives in Hyde Park, New York, with her family.
Opinion:
I can't believe I waited as long as I did to read and review this book. Its definitely cinematic, memorable and gripping. I don't know much about Josephine nor about Wyatt, but I enjoyed learning about the Wild West, Arizona and what life must have been like for the people living in Tombstone. I also expected for the story to be longer and to cover Josephine's entire life and marriage to Wyatt Earp (any chance there might be a sequel in the works?)
This was given by an author for review
4 out of 5
(0: Stay away unless a masochist 1: Good for insomnia 2: Horrible but readable; 3: Readable and quickly forgettable, 4: Good, enjoyable 5: Buy it, keep it and never let it go.)
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