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usersavvy's review against another edition
4.0
She is stellar with historical fiction. I learned more about the old West than I ever thought I would, I had never been interested in it before.
kcourts's review against another edition
5.0
Sat on my shelf entirely too long. MDR is a truly amazing storyteller.
agile76au's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
agoines's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
utahmomreads's review against another edition
5.0
This review originally posted on my blog : http://utahmomslife.blogspot.com/2011/06/doc-book-review.html
"I'm your huckleberry."
Years ago, I saw Val Kilmer at an airport. That was the only thing--"I'm your huckleberry."--I could think of to say to him. Of course, I thought of it 30 seconds too late and didn't actually say anything.
In the movie Tombstone, Val Kilmer portrays the legendary character of Doc Holliday. It's a performance that I've been unable to forget. What a fascinating character.
In her latest novel, Doc, Mary Doria Russell, strips away the myths and lore surrounding one of Wild West's infamous characters and tells the story of John Henry Holliday, a young, sickly dentist from Georgia, who goes west in search of a cure to the tuberculosis that has already killed his mother.
Tired of life in Texas, J.H. Holliday and his girl Kate, head to Dodge City, Kansas. It's the end of the line for the cattle drives from Texas. Dodge City, full of vice and money and shifty politics, is the perfect place for a card sharp. While in Dodge, Doc sets up his dentist practice and meets the Earp brothers--with whom his name will be permanently linked in the pages of history.
Russell, an anthropologist, may be trying to present a more accurate picture of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp but the characters are only more rich and fully developed and believable in her version. Doc might not have been the gun slinging, cold-blooded, revenge-seeking man as he is generally portrayed (and even possibly became once they move on to Tombstone), but J.H. Holliday is still an intriguing anachronism. How does this highly educated, concert pianist, feeble gentleman fit in the rough and tawdry world that is Dodge City, Kansas? Using wit, skill at cards, unlikely friendships with the Earps and an undeserved reputation, Doc manages quite well.
I've had such a busy and fun week with multiple family get togethers and very late nights, but every chance I got, I slipped away to read this book. Russell is a gifted story teller. While some of the book, especially the beginning, reads more like a historical narrative, Russell does bring the characters to life. She also sets the stage for the inevitable action, by painting a detailed picture of Dodge and giving even the minor characters, such as the Chinese launderer, the Jesuit priest, the proper and beautiful belle of Dodge, and the various prostitutes personality and humanity. Seen through their eyes, Dodge City becomes more than just a Hollywood set of a dusty street of clapboard buildings.
Mary Doria Russell's novel Doc is a stand-out work of historical fiction and gave me a new perspective on this most fascinating character.
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads.com in exchange for an honest review. No additonal compensation has been received.
"I'm your huckleberry."
Years ago, I saw Val Kilmer at an airport. That was the only thing--"I'm your huckleberry."--I could think of to say to him. Of course, I thought of it 30 seconds too late and didn't actually say anything.
In the movie Tombstone, Val Kilmer portrays the legendary character of Doc Holliday. It's a performance that I've been unable to forget. What a fascinating character.
In her latest novel, Doc, Mary Doria Russell, strips away the myths and lore surrounding one of Wild West's infamous characters and tells the story of John Henry Holliday, a young, sickly dentist from Georgia, who goes west in search of a cure to the tuberculosis that has already killed his mother.
Tired of life in Texas, J.H. Holliday and his girl Kate, head to Dodge City, Kansas. It's the end of the line for the cattle drives from Texas. Dodge City, full of vice and money and shifty politics, is the perfect place for a card sharp. While in Dodge, Doc sets up his dentist practice and meets the Earp brothers--with whom his name will be permanently linked in the pages of history.
Russell, an anthropologist, may be trying to present a more accurate picture of Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp but the characters are only more rich and fully developed and believable in her version. Doc might not have been the gun slinging, cold-blooded, revenge-seeking man as he is generally portrayed (and even possibly became once they move on to Tombstone), but J.H. Holliday is still an intriguing anachronism. How does this highly educated, concert pianist, feeble gentleman fit in the rough and tawdry world that is Dodge City, Kansas? Using wit, skill at cards, unlikely friendships with the Earps and an undeserved reputation, Doc manages quite well.
I've had such a busy and fun week with multiple family get togethers and very late nights, but every chance I got, I slipped away to read this book. Russell is a gifted story teller. While some of the book, especially the beginning, reads more like a historical narrative, Russell does bring the characters to life. She also sets the stage for the inevitable action, by painting a detailed picture of Dodge and giving even the minor characters, such as the Chinese launderer, the Jesuit priest, the proper and beautiful belle of Dodge, and the various prostitutes personality and humanity. Seen through their eyes, Dodge City becomes more than just a Hollywood set of a dusty street of clapboard buildings.
Mary Doria Russell's novel Doc is a stand-out work of historical fiction and gave me a new perspective on this most fascinating character.
I received a free copy of this book from Goodreads.com in exchange for an honest review. No additonal compensation has been received.
retired_to_alternate_universe's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very enjoyable book. It provided insights into the life of Doc Holliday and the Earps, as well as life in and around Dodge City that I've never been exposed to. Anyone interested in this period of American history would do well to take time to read "Doc"
book_concierge's review against another edition
5.0
Audio book performed by Mark Bramhall
John Henry “Doc” Holliday was educated, a Southern gentleman, an accomplished pianist, a compassionate dentist, a gambler, and tubercular. Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Morgan and James, were the proof that sons raised by a bully will either follow in his footsteps or rebel by becoming champions of the downtrodden. These iconic figures of the American West are forever linked by the events of one afternoon in Tombstone Arizona. But this book introduces us to the real men behind the legend, giving us their backgrounds from childhood to a year spent in Dodge – a city on the edge of the frontier, but where fortunes could be made servicing the cowboys who drove cattle to market. Saloons, brothels, hotels, restaurants, stables, racetracks, boxing rings, poker games, banks and retail stores all flourished. Doc went there because “that’s where the money is.” And Wyatt Earp, along with his brothers and Bat Masterson maintained the peace.
Russell certainly did her homework in crafting this work. She gives us a real place and real people who are every bit as colorful and fantastic as the legends they became. I love the way she drew these characters, letting them unfold little by little, much as we would get to know someone over time. And still she held back a surprise or two to stun us. Her prose is so evocative; several times I exclaimed aloud, “Oh!”
In this respect, especially I have to give some of the credit to Mark Bramhall’s performance of the audio book. I felt he was drowning in fluid as he voiced Doc in the throes of an attack. I felt Wyatt’s embarrassment, Morgan’s thoughtfulness, Kate’s impatience and fear, everyone’s love of Doc.
This is a book that even non-fans of Westerns will be able to appreciate and enjoy.
John Henry “Doc” Holliday was educated, a Southern gentleman, an accomplished pianist, a compassionate dentist, a gambler, and tubercular. Wyatt Earp and his brothers, Morgan and James, were the proof that sons raised by a bully will either follow in his footsteps or rebel by becoming champions of the downtrodden. These iconic figures of the American West are forever linked by the events of one afternoon in Tombstone Arizona. But this book introduces us to the real men behind the legend, giving us their backgrounds from childhood to a year spent in Dodge – a city on the edge of the frontier, but where fortunes could be made servicing the cowboys who drove cattle to market. Saloons, brothels, hotels, restaurants, stables, racetracks, boxing rings, poker games, banks and retail stores all flourished. Doc went there because “that’s where the money is.” And Wyatt Earp, along with his brothers and Bat Masterson maintained the peace.
Russell certainly did her homework in crafting this work. She gives us a real place and real people who are every bit as colorful and fantastic as the legends they became. I love the way she drew these characters, letting them unfold little by little, much as we would get to know someone over time. And still she held back a surprise or two to stun us. Her prose is so evocative; several times I exclaimed aloud, “Oh!”
In this respect, especially I have to give some of the credit to Mark Bramhall’s performance of the audio book. I felt he was drowning in fluid as he voiced Doc in the throes of an attack. I felt Wyatt’s embarrassment, Morgan’s thoughtfulness, Kate’s impatience and fear, everyone’s love of Doc.
This is a book that even non-fans of Westerns will be able to appreciate and enjoy.
annrhub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75