"Outlawed" by Anna North

Outlawed by Anna North
Call Number: FICTION North
The Crucible meets True Grit in this riveting adventure story of a fugitive girl, a mysterious gang of robbers, and their dangerous mission to transform the Wild West. In the year of our Lord 1894, I became an outlaw. The day of her wedding, 17 year old Ada's life looks good; she loves her husband, and she loves working as an apprentice to her mother, a respected midwife. But after a year of marriage and no pregnancy, in a town where barren women are routinely hanged as witches, her survival depends on leaving behind everything she knows. She joins up with the notorious Hole in the Wall Gang, a band of outlaws led by a preacher-turned-robber known to all as the Kid. Charismatic, grandiose, and mercurial, the Kid is determined to create a safe haven for outcast women. But to make this dream a reality, the Gang hatches a treacherous plan that may get them all killed. And Ada must decide whether she's willing to risk her life for the possibility of a new kind of future for them all. Featuring an irresistibly no-nonsense, courageous, and determined heroine, Outlawed dusts off the myth of the old West and reignites the glimmering promise of the frontier with an entirely new set of feminist stakes. Anna North has crafted a pulse-racing, page-turning saga about the search for hope in the wake of death, and for truth in a climate of small-mindedness and fear.

Alternative History Setting:
- How does the alternative history setting contribute to the themes and narrative of "Outlawed"? In what ways does it challenge or reinforce traditional historical expectations?
Gender Roles and Expectations:
- Explore the novel's portrayal of gender roles and expectations. How do characters challenge or conform to societal norms, particularly regarding women's roles?
Outlaw Culture:
- Discuss the concept of outlaw culture in the novel. How do the outlaws in the story challenge existing power structures, and what motivations drive them?
Survival and Community:
- Analyze the characters' quest for survival and the importance of community in the novel. How do the outlaws form connections, and what role does community play in their lives?
Justice and Revenge:
- Consider the themes of justice and revenge in "Outlawed." How do characters seek justice for perceived wrongs, and how does the pursuit of revenge impact the story?
Religion and Belief Systems:
- Explore the role of religion and belief systems in the novel. How do characters' beliefs shape their actions, and what commentary does the novel offer on organized religion?
Identity and Self-Discovery:
- Trace the journey of the protagonist's self-discovery and identity formation. How does her understanding of herself evolve throughout the story?
Leadership and Authority:
- Examine the dynamics of leadership and authority within the outlaw group. How are decisions made, and what challenges arise in maintaining order?
Social Commentary:
- Discuss any social commentary present in the novel. In what ways does "Outlawed" address contemporary issues or provide commentary on historical and societal structures?
Ethical Dilemmas:
- Identify ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. How do they navigate moral challenges, and what consequences result from their decisions?
Symbolism and Imagery:
- Explore the use of symbolism and imagery in "Outlawed." Are there recurring symbols or visual elements that contribute to the overall meaning of the story?
Narrative Style:
- Consider the novel's narrative style. How does the author's choice of perspective and storytelling enhance the reader's experience?

The Hole in the Wall Gang

The "Hole in the Wall Gang" refers to a loosely affiliated group of outlaws who operated primarily in the American West during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The most famous members associated with the gang were Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh). Here is a brief timeline of notable events related to the Hole in the Wall Gang:

Late 19th Century:
- 1879: Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid become involved in outlaw activities, including cattle rustling and bank robbery.
- Late 1880s-1890s: The gang begins to form and coalesce in the Hole in the Wall Pass, a remote area in Johnson County, Wyoming. The name "Hole in the Wall" refers to a gap in the rocks where the outlaws could hide.
Early 20th Century:
- 1900-1901: The gang, including members such as Elzy Lay, Ben Kilpatrick, and Harry Tracy, continues to engage in bank and train robberies.
- 1901 (July): Butch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, and some other gang members, including Etta Place, flee to South America to evade law enforcement.
South America Years:
- 1901-1908: The core members of the Hole in the Wall Gang are believed to have operated in various South American countries, including Argentina and Bolivia, continuing their criminal activities.
Bolivia and Alleged Deaths:
- 1908 (November): There are conflicting accounts of the fate of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The traditional story is that they died in a shootout with Bolivian authorities in San Vicente, Bolivia, but some theories suggest they may have survived and returned to the United States under different identities.

The timeline of the Hole in the Wall Gang is somewhat elusive due to the secretive nature of the gang's operations and the lack of detailed records. The group's activities, especially those of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, have become legendary, and their story has been romanticized in books and films. The timeline provided here focuses on the key periods of their criminal activities and the subsequent years in South America.

Women's Rights in 1894

In 1894, the women's rights movement was gaining momentum, with activists advocating for social, political, and economic equality between men and women. Here is a brief timeline of significant events related to women's rights in 1894:

January 1894: Suffragists Gather in Washington, D.C.
- The National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA) organized a convention in Washington, D.C., where suffragists from across the United States gathered to discuss and strategize for women's right to vote.
May 1894: Pullman Strike and the Role of Women
- During the Pullman Strike, led by the American Railway Union, women played a significant role in supporting the labor movement. Many women participated in protests, strikes, and activism for workers' rights.
July 1894: Coxey's Army March on Washington
- Jacob Coxey led a protest known as Coxey's Army to Washington, D.C., advocating for economic reform and job creation during the economic depression. Some suffragists used the opportunity to promote women's rights.
November 1894: Colorado Grants Women the Right to Vote
- In the 1894 election, Colorado became the first state to grant women the right to vote through a state referendum. This marked a significant milestone in the women's suffrage movement.
Formation of the General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC)
- The General Federation of Women's Clubs was established in 1890, and by 1894, it had become a prominent organization advocating for women's issues, including education, healthcare, and suffrage.

It's important to note that the fight for women's rights in 1894 was part of a broader movement that continued to evolve over the years. The struggle for women's suffrage gained traction, and various organizations and activists worked toward achieving equality for women in different aspects of life. The timeline provided here highlights some key events in 1894 within the context of the women's rights movement.

Anna North has contributed to various publications and has gained recognition for her work as a journalist. She has covered a range of topics, including gender, politics, and culture. Her writing has appeared in well-known publications such as The New York Times, BuzzFeed, and Salon.

In addition to her journalism, Anna North is also a novelist. One of her notable works is the novel "Outlawed," published in 2021. "Outlawed" is a historical novel set in an alternative version of the American West and explores themes of gender, identity, and survival.

Anna North's writing has been praised for its thought-provoking exploration of societal issues and its ability to engage readers with compelling narratives. Her work often delves into complex and relevant themes, offering readers a fresh perspective on historical and contemporary issues.

Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas
Call Number: FICTION Dallas
Beautifully rendered, Where Coyotes Howl is a vivid and deeply affecting ode to the early twentieth century West, from master storyteller Sandra Dallas. Except for the way they loved each other, they were just ordinary, everyday folks. Just ordinary. 1916. The two-street town of Wallace is not exactly what Ellen Webster had in mind when she accepted a teaching position in Wyoming, but within a year's time she's fallen in love--both with the High Plains and with a handsome cowboy named Charlie Bacon. Life is not easy in the flat, brown corner of the state where winter blizzards are unforgiving and the summer heat relentless. But Ellen and Charlie face it all together, their relationship growing stronger with each shared success, and each deeply felt tragedy. Ellen finds purpose in her work as a rancher's wife and in her bonds with other women settled on the prairie. Not all of them are so lucky as to have loving husbands, not all came to Wallace willingly, and not all of them can survive the cruel seasons. But they look out for each other, share their secrets, and help one another in times of need. And the needs are great and constant. The only city to speak of, Cheyenne, is miles away, making it akin to the Wild West in rural Wallace. In the end, it is not the trials Ellen and Charlie face together that make them remarkable, but their love for one another that endures through it all.
Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey
Call Number: FICTION Gailey
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All God's Children by Aaron Gwyn
Call Number: FICTION Gwyn
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The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Margaret Killjoy
Call Number: FICTION KILLJOY
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Margaret Killjoy pits utopian anarchists against rogue demon deer in this dropkick-in-the-mouth punk fantasy that Alan Moore calls "scary and energetic." Searching for clues about her best friend's mysterious suicide, Danielle ventures to the squatter, utopian town of Freedom, Iowa, and witnesses a protector spirit -- in the form of a blood-red, three-antlered deer -- begin to turn on its summoners. She and her new friends have to act fast if they're going to save the town -- or get out alive.
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Call Number: FICTION Zhang
Newly orphaned children of immigrants, Lucy and Sam are suddenly alone in a land that refutes their existence. Fleeing the threats of their western mining town, they set off to bury their father in the only way that will set them free from their past. Along the way, they encounter giant buffalo bones, tiger paw prints, and the specters of a ravaged landscape as well as family secrets, sibling rivalry, and glimpses of a different kind of future.

Historical Fiction Book Club - Past Titles: "Outlawed" by Anna North