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book_concierge's review
4.0
Audiobook performed by Hillary Huber
From the book jacket: A deeply divided nation. Vicious politics. A shamelessly partisan media. A president scorned by half the populace. Smuggling and gang warfare along the Mexican border. Armed citizens willing to stand their ground and take law into their own hands … That was America in 1881.
My reactions
In a sequel to her earlier novel, Doc, Russell explores what REALLY happened at the OK Corral. The events and circumstances leading up to that fateful battle are disturbingly familiar. The gunfight itself lasted a mere 30 seconds, but the ramifications affected the survivors’ lives for the remainder of their days.
I love Russell’s writing. She does extensive research and is not content to give us only one side of the issues, or one facet of the characters involved: the three Earp brothers, Wyatt, Morgan, and Virgil, and their steadfast friend Doc Holliday. I particularly liked how she focused on the women who loved these men: Josephine, Alvira (Allie), Mattie, Bessie, Louisa, and Kate.
The chief characters in this novel are Josie Marcus and Wyatt Earp, and the last sixty pages, or so, relate Wyatt’s last years and Josie’s efforts to immortalize his role in the history of the American West. I found their story compelling, and it is made richer by Russell’s attention to all the other characters. From the blustering Johnny Behan to the drunken Ike Clanton, every character fairly leaps off the page. Yet, I must confess that what I really wanted was more of Doc.
Hillary Huber does a fine job performing the audio version. Her skill as a voice artist is put to the test with the many characters, but she is up to the task.
From the book jacket: A deeply divided nation. Vicious politics. A shamelessly partisan media. A president scorned by half the populace. Smuggling and gang warfare along the Mexican border. Armed citizens willing to stand their ground and take law into their own hands … That was America in 1881.
My reactions
In a sequel to her earlier novel, Doc, Russell explores what REALLY happened at the OK Corral. The events and circumstances leading up to that fateful battle are disturbingly familiar. The gunfight itself lasted a mere 30 seconds, but the ramifications affected the survivors’ lives for the remainder of their days.
I love Russell’s writing. She does extensive research and is not content to give us only one side of the issues, or one facet of the characters involved: the three Earp brothers, Wyatt, Morgan, and Virgil, and their steadfast friend Doc Holliday. I particularly liked how she focused on the women who loved these men: Josephine, Alvira (Allie), Mattie, Bessie, Louisa, and Kate.
The chief characters in this novel are Josie Marcus and Wyatt Earp, and the last sixty pages, or so, relate Wyatt’s last years and Josie’s efforts to immortalize his role in the history of the American West. I found their story compelling, and it is made richer by Russell’s attention to all the other characters. From the blustering Johnny Behan to the drunken Ike Clanton, every character fairly leaps off the page. Yet, I must confess that what I really wanted was more of Doc.
Hillary Huber does a fine job performing the audio version. Her skill as a voice artist is put to the test with the many characters, but she is up to the task.
pokie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilyrpf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sarahthebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
Didn't read "Doc" but found the book likable just the same
rexsavior's review against another edition
5.0
I think Epitaph and Doc, its predecessor, might be my two favorite novels.
greybeard49's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book It is one of those novels that hauls you along in it's wake by the strength of the storyline and by the way things unfold. This of course is down to the skill of the author.
I am really interested in the 'Old West' and early Americana in general. This is an exceptional example. Super!
I am really interested in the 'Old West' and early Americana in general. This is an exceptional example. Super!
sjgrodsky's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for my book group. Sigh. And even volunteered to facilitate the meeting.
I agree with other reviewers that it is well researched and well written. Trouble is that my attitude towards the characters ranged from tepid interest to active distaste. It's hard to spend this much time with characters you don't care for.
On the good side, the book group was very pleased with my facilitation. I started with playing the Wyatt Earp tv show theme song, which many of the participants remembered. I compared the fictional Josie with the real Josie presented in the biography, Lady at the OK Corral. People appreciated all the preparation. One attendee told me that no one wanted to be the facilitator for the next meeting. "You'd look bad by comparison to you."
Which is a compliment, sort of.
I agree with other reviewers that it is well researched and well written. Trouble is that my attitude towards the characters ranged from tepid interest to active distaste. It's hard to spend this much time with characters you don't care for.
On the good side, the book group was very pleased with my facilitation. I started with playing the Wyatt Earp tv show theme song, which many of the participants remembered. I compared the fictional Josie with the real Josie presented in the biography, Lady at the OK Corral. People appreciated all the preparation. One attendee told me that no one wanted to be the facilitator for the next meeting. "You'd look bad by comparison to you."
Which is a compliment, sort of.
gimpyknee's review
4.0
100 pages read - no gunfight at the O.K. Corral.
200 pages read - no gunfight at the O.K. Corral
300 pages read - no gunfight at the O.K. Corral
397 pages read - Finally! A gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Page 398 - Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is over. Still another 180 pages of reading until end of book.
"Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral" is quite a misleading title. I'd suggest "Epitaph: A Novel of Wyatt, Virgil, James, Morgan, and Warren Earp, Josephine Marcus, John Henry "Doc" Holiday, Johnny Behan, Allie "Pickle" Sullivan", Mattie Blaylock, Lou Houston, Bessie Earp, Kate Harony, Frank and Tommy McLaury, "Old Man" Clanton and his boys Ike and Billy, Johnny Ringo, and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral."
That said, this is an entertaining read about the Old West and its most famous lawman Wyatt Earp.
200 pages read - no gunfight at the O.K. Corral
300 pages read - no gunfight at the O.K. Corral
397 pages read - Finally! A gunfight at the O.K. Corral
Page 398 - Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is over. Still another 180 pages of reading until end of book.
"Epitaph: A Novel of the O.K. Corral" is quite a misleading title. I'd suggest "Epitaph: A Novel of Wyatt, Virgil, James, Morgan, and Warren Earp, Josephine Marcus, John Henry "Doc" Holiday, Johnny Behan, Allie "Pickle" Sullivan", Mattie Blaylock, Lou Houston, Bessie Earp, Kate Harony, Frank and Tommy McLaury, "Old Man" Clanton and his boys Ike and Billy, Johnny Ringo, and the gunfight at the O.K. Corral."
That said, this is an entertaining read about the Old West and its most famous lawman Wyatt Earp.
johndiconsiglio's review against another edition
3.0
A pop chronicle of the back story & aftermath to the Gunfight at the OK Corral. The shootout lasted just 30 seconds, but inexorably grew into myth & turned Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday into legends. No one will mistake Epitaph for art. It’s more horse opera than history, despite attempts to parallel Tombstone & Troy. Still, it's fun & a quick draw despite the 10-gallon length. Well-researched & colorful, even if Burt Lancaster & Kirk Douglas did it better.