The Whip

Book: The Whip
Author: Karen Kondazian

The Whip is inspired by the true story of a woman, Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst (1812-1879) who lived most of her extraordinary life as a man in the old west.

As a young woman in Rhode Island, she fell in love with a runaway slave and had his child. The destruction of her family drove her west to California, dressed as a man, to track the killer.

Charley became a renowned stagecoach driver for Wells Fargo. She killed a famous outlaw, had a secret love affair, and lived with a housekeeper who, unaware of her true sex, fell in love with her.
Charley was the first woman to vote in America (as a man). Her grave lies in Watsonville, California.-Goodreads
Review: This book reminds me of Beneath a Scarlet Sky. Amazing story, not so amazing execution. The Whip is about Charlotte Parkhurst, a woman who survived an orphanage, rape and the murder of her family to live her life as a man, become a stagecoach driver. She heads west to California to catch a killer. This is based on a real life person (also the first woman to ever vote) and it's incredible everything that she lived through. While the writing was not my favoritet, I think this would make a fantastic mini-series. Truly a fascinating woman. 

Grade: 2.5/5