Publisher: One World

Publication date: March 21, 2023

Length: 240 pages

Adelaide Henry left her home and boarded a steamship for Seattle. Leaving the only home that she knew, she didn’t look back. The wagon carrying her to the port moved slowly. The driver was very curious about her destination and her luggage. She had a large trunk with her. What could be in that heavy trunk? Adelaide saw a story about Montana welcoming anyone who could live for a year on a claim. She decided that owning her own land would be perfect. She picked out and paid for her claim. As she traveled to her claim in Big Sandy, Montana many people questioned her about the contents of her trunk. Adelaide would not answer which only served to inflame their curiosity further. The trunk’s contents are why Adelaide wants to live on her own land, away from others. Adelaide might have a claim and a small cabin but the land officer failed to warn her about the harsh Montana winters. She hasn’t made any type of plan for survival. She needs to winterize her cabin, stock up on provisions, and have a supply of firewood to keep her cabin warm. The arrival of a neighbor – another “lone woman” – provides her with some company and some much-needed food. Will Adelaide be able to live in this harsh environment?

Lone Women is a surprising story. Adelaide is a troubled woman dealing with unusual circumstances. It is evident that she needs help but the camaraderie of others is something she never had and now knows is essential to her survival. These women have inner strength and are able to draw upon it and their fellow lone women’s resilience to survive in this climate. Victor LaValle merges this desolate survival with an element of horror to further chill our blood. How does he blend two disparate topics? I don’t know how he did it, but it works! The characters are intriguing and the evolution of a community in the wilderness is an excellent backdrop for the story. Lone Women is a surprising page-turner from an author with amazing story-telling skills.

My Rating: 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻/5