Cottonwood
by Scott Phillips
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Description
"In 1872, Cottonwood, Kansas, is a one-horse speck on the map; a community of run-down farms, dusty roads, and two-bit crooks. Self-educated saloon owner and photographer Bill Ogden looks on his adopted town with an eye to making a profit or getting out. His brains and ambition bring him to the attention of one Marc Leval, a wealthy Chicago developer with big plans for the small town. The advent of the railroad and rumors of a cattle trail turn Cottonwood into a wild and wooly boomtown-and show more with Leval as a partner, Ogden dreams of bringing civilization to the prairie. But civilizing the Great Plains was never that simple. While many in Cottonwood distrust Leval's motives, and mob violence threatens to derail the town's dreams of greatness, Ogden finds himself dangerously obsessed with Leval's stunningly beautiful wife. Meanwhile, plying its sinister trade unnoticed, an apparently ordinary local farm family quietly butchers traveling salesmen, weary travelers, and other unsuspecting wanderers. In his own inimitable brand of narrative wizardry, Scott Phillips traces the metamorphosis of a frontier town that becomes a lightning rod for sin, corruption, and murder. He also brings to life actual crimes that befell Kansas in the 1870s and 1880s, carried out by a strange clan who popularly became known as the Bloody Benders. Brilliantly written, maliciously fun, and full of many surprises, Cottonwood is historical fiction at its finest"-- show lessTags
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Member Reviews
Cracking. Set in Kansas in the 19th century, Cottonwood tells the story of the saloon-keeper of the town, and how the town is changed by an influx of money anticipating the new railroad. Throw in appearances by real-life serial killers, the Benders of Kansas, and several infidelities, and you have an entertainingly bawdy read.
I don't normally read books set in this period, for no particular reason, but I enjoyed this book because there's a lot going on, and I found it very well written, though I've never read anything else by the author. A welcome change from the norm.
I don't normally read books set in this period, for no particular reason, but I enjoyed this book because there's a lot going on, and I found it very well written, though I've never read anything else by the author. A welcome change from the norm.
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Author Information
16+ Works 832 Members
Scott Phillips is the author of highly acclaimed crime novels. His debut novel, The Ice Harvest, was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and won the California Book Award, a Silver Medal for Best First Fiction, and was a finalist for the Edgar Awards, the Hammett Prize and the Anthony Award. Its follow-up The Walkaway continued his success. show more His third novel, Cottonwood, is now out in paperback. Born in Wichita, Kansas, Scott lived for many years in Paris, and then in Southern California. He now lives in St. Louis with his wife and daughter. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2004
- People/Characters
- Bill Ogden; Marc Leval
- Dedication*
- To Anne and Claire, again, with all my love
- First words*
- There was no visible sign the day had broken when I poked my head out of the warm, dark pocket of my buffalo robe into the stinging air of the blacksmith's loft where I made my bed.
- Last words*
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Affectionately yours,
Father
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Popularity
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- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.65)
- Languages
- Chinese, Dutch, English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 10
- ASINs
- 3
