Outlawed

In 1894 America, Ada is a young midwife who faces persecution in a society obsessed with fertility. After marriage fails to produce a child, she flees her home to escape accusations of witchcraft and possible death. Ada finds refuge with the Hole in the Wall Gang, a group of outlaws led by a charismatic figure known as The Kid. The gang consists of other women who have been cast out of society for their inability to bear children or their refusal to conform to strict gender roles. Through Ada's journey with the gang, the novel follows their attempts to survive in the unforgiving landscape of the Old West while evading capture. The story combines elements of classic Western adventures with an alternate historical timeline shaped by a devastating 1830s flu pandemic. This reimagining of the American Western explores themes of bodily autonomy, gender expectations, and the cost of belonging in a society that values reproduction above all else. The novel questions traditional power structures and presents an alternative vision of community among those pushed to society's margins.

Most readers describe this as a fresh take on the Western genre that blends feminist themes with an alternate history setting. The slow pacing in the first third transitions to a faster-moving adventure story. Readers appreciated: - The unique premise combining infertility and outlaw women - LGBTQ+ representation and gender role examination - Strong character development of the protagonist - Historical details and world-building Common criticisms: - Uneven pacing, especially in the opening chapters - Limited development of supporting characters - Plot threads that feel unresolved - Marketing that suggested more action/adventure than delivered Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (41,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4.2/5 Multiple readers noted the book works better when approached as literary fiction rather than a traditional Western. As one Goodreads reviewer wrote: "This is more about identity and belonging than gunfights and bank robberies."

True Grit by Charles Portis A fourteen-year-old girl in the American frontier seeks justice for her father's murder with help from a U.S. Marshal, combining Western adventure with a female-driven narrative.

The Lonely Hearts Hotel by Heather O'Neill Two orphans navigate a harsh 1930s Montreal while pursuing their dreams, weaving magic realism with themes of survival and female empowerment.

The Wolf and the Woodsman by Ava Reid A woman with forbidden magic must save her people in this reimagining of Hungarian history and Jewish mythology that examines religious persecution and identity.

The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow Three sisters in 1893 New Salem fight for women's rights through witchcraft while facing persecution from society.

The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin A Chinese-American assassin traverses the American West seeking revenge and his lost love in this reinvention of the Western genre.

🌟 The Hole in the Wall Gang mentioned in the novel shares its name with Butch Cassidy's real-life outlaw group that operated in Wyoming during the 1880s-1890s. 🌟 Author Anna North is a senior reporter at Vox, covering gender issues and politics, bringing her journalistic expertise to the novel's social commentary. 🌟 The book's pandemic storyline was written before COVID-19 but was released in January 2021, making its themes particularly resonant with readers during the global health crisis. 🌟 In the 1890s, the actual period when the novel is set, infertility treatments were often dangerous and included questionable remedies like radium water and electric belts. 🌟 The novel was selected for Reese Witherspoon's Book Club in January 2021, significantly boosting its visibility and sales.