tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post109067265020215730..comments2024-03-29T08:29:02.161-07:00Comments on Kittling: Books: The Widows by Jess MontgomeryCathyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01774383554326288663noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-22726632941733218812019-03-15T01:23:20.741-07:002019-03-15T01:23:20.741-07:00Yes, I hope Marvena continues to have her say in f...Yes, I hope Marvena continues to have her say in future books, too. And as for The Widows? I recommended it to several people at The Poisoned Pen Thursday night. Even pointed at the book on the shelf. *wink*Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01774383554326288663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-75387373538065678362019-03-15T00:55:09.442-07:002019-03-15T00:55:09.442-07:00Yippee. You loved it as much as I did. And a frie...Yippee. You loved it as much as I did. And a friend, a former union organizer, loved it, too.<br />My father was a union organizer for several years and he worked for a time for a mine workers union in Chicago. So I was brought up with a strong union family and influence.<br />We sang union songs and pro-miner folk songs. <br />And if you want to see strong women, see the film made in the 1950s called, "Salt of the Earth," about striking miners and their incredible strong, fierce spouses who go to jail. It's a great film.<br />I also am happy to see Jess Montgomery will keep writing. I hope Marvena is included, but I'm worried it'll just be about Lily and her adventures as sheriff.<br />I have to tell more friends about it.Kathy D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/18418720666849497808noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-81302442579858982812019-03-14T14:01:06.392-07:002019-03-14T14:01:06.392-07:00Thanks! Hope you enjoy reading it.Thanks! Hope you enjoy reading it.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01774383554326288663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-57707843095143023942019-03-14T13:59:52.872-07:002019-03-14T13:59:52.872-07:00Yes, so many of our own problems seem very trivial...Yes, so many of our own problems seem very trivial after reading history. I remember reading the pittances all the widows in my hometown received as pensions that they were supposed to raise large broods of children with. They did. And for the most part, they paid their bills on time. (It was the rich folk in town who were late on payment.)<br /><br />I'd read books featuring the Pinkertons before. They have a very checkered history. Some hailed them as heroes; others as you see in THE WIDOWS.<br /><br />For most of the book, Lily and Marvena circle each other like a couple of stiff-tailed cats, don't they?Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01774383554326288663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-52092635637357434772019-03-14T13:55:16.940-07:002019-03-14T13:55:16.940-07:00Yes, the book does address that, and the story its...Yes, the book does address that, and the story itself is based, in part, on the life of the first female sheriff in Ohio. As for the book itself, it's pretty clear that Lily was given the job because those stupid men thought she'd be too weak-kneed and grief-stricken to really do anything as sheriff. *snort*Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01774383554326288663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-31963706607606263722019-03-14T13:52:54.176-07:002019-03-14T13:52:54.176-07:00I did more than enjoy it. I think I lived it while...I did more than enjoy it. I think I lived it while I was reading.Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01774383554326288663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-31346951318900713822019-03-14T09:12:15.365-07:002019-03-14T09:12:15.365-07:00Wow, that is quite a connection. I have requested ...Wow, that is quite a connection. I have requested it at the library, great review!holdenjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04563239351498816805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-67797124976690728562019-03-14T07:01:24.029-07:002019-03-14T07:01:24.029-07:00I am currently reading this book and am about half...I am currently reading this book and am about half way through it. Interested in seeing how the relationship is developed between Lily and Marvena. When I read past history, even if it is historical fiction, I think "Now those are real problems." Whether it is a dust storm on the plains or extreme poverty of the coal miners widows. I have a respect for those who endured the hard times and they were truly hard. Some of our problems seem almost trivial. Interesting about the Pinkertons. <br />Lynn T.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08920789124947857728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-64423376616510214352019-03-14T06:06:10.651-07:002019-03-14T06:06:10.651-07:00How amazing the connections you made with this boo...How amazing the connections you made with this book and your own life! I can see why it grabbed you right away. When I first read about this book, I thought it was quite interesting that the sheriff's widow was asked to be the interim sheriff. Seems odd for women's roles at that time, but maybe not. Did the book address that at all? I'll be watching for this one at my library.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13495669354860191042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1999659125625323494.post-50382245514726584532019-03-14T04:40:58.198-07:002019-03-14T04:40:58.198-07:00This one sounds like a very evocative story, Cathy...This one sounds like a very evocative story, Cathy. I do like it when historical novels share a sense of place and time, as well as tell a story. And you have an especially interesting and powerful connection to this one. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com