The Outsider

The Outsider, by Penelope Williamson; Simon and Schuster, 1996

Reviewed by Kathleen Hawn

This cover art made Penelope Williamson's book look like a schmaltzy romance on the outside, but inside was one the best books I've read in a very long time. Set in 1887 Montana, The Outsider is a compelling novel of intolerance, mayhem, faith, and self-determination, seasoned with a good splash of passion. Mix rigid, sheep-raising Amish with amoral gunslingers (or "shootists"), conniving cattle ranchers and their minions, and you'll have a tasty stew of complex characters. Read the book, then see the movie. I also recommend The Far Traveler: Voyages of a Viking Woman, by Nancy Marie Brown. I've always been intrigued by the Vikings, but this well-documented tale--with recent evidence (in 2005) of Gudrid's existence and influence, gave me a much better understanding of this brazen Norse culture. For a real change of pace, try World Made By Hand, by James Howard Kunstler. Set in America's near future, in a world of post-Peak Oil, post-pandemics and technology's collapse, this novel is filled with intriguing, earthy characters who are determined to survive and rebuild a sense of hope and community, even in the midst of societal chaos and despair. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel to this book, which will be available in September 2010.