Reviews

The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte

erincataldi's review against another edition

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2.0

I picked this title solely because one of the narrators is Robert Forester and I am obsessed with anything he narrates. The Outcasts of Poker Flats is a collection of short stories and poems set in the wild west. An unlucky party caught in a mountain blizzard, an orphaned baby in an all male camp, Tennessee's partner and more. I was not overly impressed with any of the stories glamorizing, miners, gamblers, and lawless men. This collection was written in the nineteenth century which explains the machismo and degradation of women, but doesn't excuse it. Some of the narrators did no favors to this audiobook. I honestly may have enjoyed it more had I actually read it.

punkystarshine's review against another edition

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3.0

You better believe I'm about to add a bunch of short stories Kelly & Katai read me on Public Domain Theater

alliecalls's review against another edition

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3.0

"A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons."
weird flex but go off i guess.

the_brewed_bookworm's review against another edition

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3.0

The end of the book saved the story for me. Otherwise this would have been a 2 star read.

elleitra's review

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4.0

Great story, one of those ending that makes you mad though.

hope_draconic_reader's review against another edition

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reflective tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

Disclaimer: I read this for my American Literature since 1865 class.

I could understand someone enjoying this story, it was certainly interesting to discuss it in class and I enjoyed the author’s voice, but in the end I just didn’t care about this story.

peterseanesq's review

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5.0

Please give my Amazon review a helpful vote - https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R1XU6KFIZJUQ3A?ref=pf_ov_at_pdctrvw_srp


I've been meaning to read "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" for decades; so, I picked it up as an audiobook.

It is simple, sparse, direct tale about how Oakhurst the gambler, and three others who threaten the moral quality of Poker Flats, are required to leave that town and never return. The exiles, and two others, are trapped by a snow storm and exhibit a quiet courage and fellowship in this situation.

It is a short story, and an effective one. In a way, I want to know the back story of Oakhurst, who comes across as an interesting and decent man.

Well-worth reading.
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