The Homesman: A Novel by Glendon Swarthout

This was a refreshing and original take on the old west genre which examines a little known reality of the settlement of the west. Namely the experience of the women who either came with their families or on their own. Sometimes the women set to their tasks and lot in life successfully but other times the sheer isolation, poverty, and terrible losses they faced could completely overwhelm these brave women. What happened to these broken women is the basis of this book. The answer is a wagon train run by a homesman to bring these women back to civilization and their families. The story is heart breaking and sad. Anyone who is interested in the settlement of the west and the role that women played should definitely read this book.