Description:
In the tradition of such Western classics as My Ántonia and There Will Be Blood, Anna Keesey’s Little Century is a resonant and moving debut novel by a writer of confident gifts.
Orphaned after the death of her mother, eighteen-year-old Esther Chambers heads west in search of her only living relative. In the lawless town of Century, Oregon, she’s met by her distant cousin—a cattle rancher named Ferris Pickett. There, she begins a new life as a homesteader, in the hope that her land will one day join Pick’s impressive spread.
But Century is in the midst of an escalating and violent war over water and rangeland. As incidents between the sheep and cattle ranchers turn to bloodshed, Esther’s sympathies are divided between her cousin and a sheepherder named Ben Cruff, sworn enemy of the cattlemen. Torn between her growing passion for Ben and her love of the austere land, she begins to realize that she can’t be loyal to both.
My Thoughts:
This is a debut novel? Seriously? The writing is lyrical. The story is lovely. Anna Keesey should be very proud of her first book.
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| Anna Keesey |
A city girl homesteading on the high desert of Oregon at the turn of the century. That premise alone is rich with possibilities. Add in the range wars between cattle ranchers and sheepherders and you’ve got a very exciting tale indeed. Throw in well-drawn characters and a bit of realistic romance? Now you have an absolute winner.
I’m a sucker for good historical fiction and Little Century certainly lived up to my high expectations. I wouldn’t call myself a fan of westerns. Neither would I call myself a fan of romance. In both of those cases this book exceeded my expectations. Trust me, that’s not easy to do.
I found Little Century to be crisp and impressive. Highly recommended.
The Relentless Reader 
Well this book is now getting added to my to be read list! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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It sounds like a great debut! I don't read much historical fiction, but I might check this one out. Thanks for the review!
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Oh crap, another one for the TBR. This sounds SO up my alley.
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Wow, she sounds like an author to keep an eye on.
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Great Melissa! I think this is one you would really like. It seems like YOU 🙂
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I do like historical fiction and this is a great one 🙂
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Ha ha, oh crap!! 😉 I hope you get to it Andi
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Yes, definitely!!
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I've noticed that you've read a couple of books that are westerns lately. Do you have a favorite you'd recommend? I'm doing a genre challenge and so far I've mostly just read like my usual eclectic self, so I think it's time I actually step out of comfort zone and try a really new to me genre 🙂
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I wouldn't have even thought of those books as westerns really. I don't know why that is? I guess I think of westerns as Louis L'Amour or something? LOL 😉 If I were to recommend a really awesome western it would be True Grit by Charles Portis. Sarah reviewed it today in fact: http://sarahsaysread.com/2013/08/29/true-grit-by-charles-portis/
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I should have thought of that one! I really liked the older movie version of True Grit, despite not liking a lot of westerns and I do love precocious protagonists, so I'll put that on my tbr list. Thanks Jen!
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I never read any western historical fiction. Now I'm really curious!
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I read it in anticipation of the new movie that came out a year or two ago. I never did see the movie, ha! Anywho, I was very pleasantly surprised by the book.
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This sounds great! The only \”western\” I've read is O Pioneers! by Willa Cather, and I fell head over heals for it. I'll keep an eye out for this one!
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You should totally give this one a whirl! 😀
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O Pioneers is another one of those books that I've always meant to get to. Hmm, I wonder if it's on my Classics Club list. I'll have to check 🙂
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Ooh, this sounds really good. Will definitely have to check it out.
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It is, it is! I do hope you get to it 🙂
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I've had several friends read and recommend this one, so I know it's one I need to pick up. I didn't realize it was a debut novel!
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Lyrical? I'm in! I'm not usually big on westerns but this one sounds like it has enough going on that while the setting is important, it's not primary.
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This sounds kind of awesome. I love historical fiction, and the fact that Oregon is involved just brings back memories of all the oxen I lost fording rivers… Sigh.
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Sounds like a book that really defies category – an good story, good characters, lyrical writing – that just happens to be set in the West, in the past, and has some romance. Love that!
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Why have I not heard of this book? I mean, I freaking live in OREGON! I'm putting this on my wait list for the library request list right now!
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I'm also a sucker for a good historial fiction novel, and this one sounds like something I would enjoy. Anna must be a really good writer, to get such high praise from you on her debut novel, on both her writer and her story. I will consider this, most definitely!
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Thanks for the review. I never would have picked up this book simply based on the cover. But, it does sound good!
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I don't remember exactly when I figured out that this was a debut but I do remember being surprised 🙂
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The setting is a great backdrop but it's more about the folks 🙂
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Those were some hard days Katie…hard days.
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Yes!! I love that too 🙂
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LOL!! This is an absolute MUST READ for you girl!
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I think you would like this one Melinda 🙂
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I wouldn't have either Heidi! I'm glad I had a chance to read it 🙂
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I was thinking about reading this book but I wasn't sure. I am glad you read it and wrote this review, now I know I have to read it. I am a bit of a sucker for homestead books. Must be all that Laura Ingalls Wilder I grew up on. 🙂
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Haha this is Erin from Quixotic Magpie, I just realized I am still logged into my other blog. 🙂
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This sounds perfect for me, I'll check it out. It's hard to find good western historical fiction.
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LOL, Laura will do it to ya 😉 You'd really like this one Erin!
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It is! I'm so glad I read this one. I hope you're able to find time for it 🙂
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Little Century sounds great, I love a good historical. Thanks for the recommendation!
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You're welcome Naida 🙂 This one would fit the bill for sure.
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I added it to my TBR yes. I meant \”writing\” 🙂
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I love when debut novels impress! I'm always so happy for the author. -Rebecca @ Love at First Book
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Right?? I always want to call them up and say YAY! 😉
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I am a fan of romance, so well, taking into account the good impression you have of the book, I think I would like it even more!By the way, I have to read My Antonia, it's in my list since always!
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I have a feeling that you'd like this one too Isi 😉 My Antonia has been on my ONE OF THESE DAYs list too 😉
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