When I first saw Outlawed pop up on my radar in April 2020 I had just recently read Upright Women Wanted and I loved the idea of another queer Western novel. Where Upright Women Wanted is a near-future dystopia, Outlawed takes place in an alternate, late 19th century United States where a quasi-Christian religion values reproduction above all else.

"We had read Burton's Lessons of the Infant Jesus Christ every year since third form, so we had heard about how God sent the Great Flu to cleanse the world of evil, just like he'd sent the flood so many centuries before. We knew that baby Jesus had appeared to Mary of Texarkana after the sickness had killed nine of every ten men, women, and children from Boston to California, and struck a covenant with her: if those who remained were fruitful and peopled the world in His image, He would spare them further sickness, and they and their descendants forever after would be precious to Him."

Just as in our real world, the world of Outlawed is peopled with those who are not cis, heterosexual, and/or fertile, but if a person doesn't fall into these expected categories they are run out of town, hanged, and/or violently assaulted. Main protagonist, eighteen-year-old Ada has been accused of witchcraft due to her failure to become pregnant and accusations from the community are leading to whispers of her hanging. Sent out of town to a convent Ada begins to research the true reason behind barrenness (medical not religious *gasp*) and then risks a journey beyond the convent to seek out rare medical texts. When she comes upon the camp of The Hole in the Wall Gang, she realizes there is something different about these outlaws.

I loved that this novel integrated themes of mental and physical health, intersectional feminism, and opposition to patriarchal expectations but I did have a few problems with not mixing up the characters. I think this is due to the author's intention of showing how each character initially confuses Ada with their sexuality and demeanor. I also think that too many characters are introduced at a single time (when Ada meets The Whole in the Wall Gang) but they are not given enough descriptors to firmly establish each character in readers' minds. My advice is to take a few notes about the characters as you read.

The rise of fiction literature for the LGBTQ community reflects a high demand for works that reflect the nuances and complications of their lives that are missing from works written with straight people as the characters in the narratives. Outlawed provides an interesting look on a treasured western tale of the Hole in the Wall Gang, aka Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, turning it into a tale that upends the traditional western narrative. Not only do the main characters ride, shoot, rob, and live like outlaws, they create a safe haven for themselves at a time when women who were "different" were outcasts from society. The story told through the eyes of Ada, a barren young woman and herbalist, offers an interesting perspective of the 19th century West in America.

Daughter of a midwife, Ada learns quickly how precarious life is for women who are different. Midwifes, herbalists, barren women become suspect under the tight norms of gendered roles. Any suspicious behavior can cause family, friends, and the town to denounce and punish the offender. Fleeing from her failed marriage and town gossip about her suspicious behavior, Ada takes refuge in a convent. There she finds a treasure trove of knowledge, the convent library, and uses it expand her medical knowledge. Soon she must flee from there and ends up taking refuge with the mysterious Hole in the Wall gang, a secretive outlaw gang hiding in the wilds of the Dakotas. The tale takes some very interesting turns and provides an alternative narrative to the very patriarchal narrative of the American West.

Outlawed blends women's history with the fictionalized story of women living on the fringes of society. Some of the information was fascinating such as the way medical books and writings of the time categorized women and their ailments. Ada's mother, a midwife, tells of the trials and tribulations of birthing for women. As Ada shares "Mama says at every birth, death is in the room. You can try to ignore it, or you can acknowledge it, and greet it like a guest, and then you won't be so afraid anymore." Such a true statement for women throughout history who often feared the birthing chamber. The novel lampoons many misguided or just outright stupid ideas about gender and also race such that "mixing blood" creates deformed children. The historical part of the novel is interesting and catches the reader's attention.

Ada's story, told in first person narrative, is flush with excitement and strange encounters. Her life as a cross dresser and trying to pass often conflicts with her inner self. But her adventures as a woman living outside the bounds of traditional gender roles and norms adds an interesting entry into the field of LGBTQ historical fiction. I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 due to sometimes the storyline gets muddled a little bit. All in all, a very different book.

Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.

This was a step outside my reading comfort zone - I don't read a ton of Westerns. We follow Ada, a midwife-in-training, as she's ostracized from her husband and community, tries on convent life briefly, and joins a gang of outlaws when that doesn't fit. The group she settles in with is largely women also looking to escape the expectations of their gender and build something new for themselves in the wide open spaces of the west. This felt fresh and modern without becoming anachronistic. The ending feels abrupt and hand-wavey - I wanted to spend more time with the band of outlaws as Ada gets to become a respected part of the team, and I could have used at least one more chapter wrapping up where we leave Ada. That said, it feels like there's space for another novel in this same world left at the end, so hopefully we get more time with the Hole in the Wall gang soon.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me read and review Anna Norths newest edition, “Outlawed”. This story was not what I was expecting in an amazing sort of way. A woman in the late 1880s running from not only the law but from the life she wants to know more about. Continuing her life on the run with people that are also still learning about themselves. This story allows you to feel what it’s like for a woman to live in a mans world and take advantage of what could be.

I had a like/love relationship with the characters and how they were adapted through the story. I found the ending a lopsided. It was simple and easy. The complete opposite of Ada’s character.

Overall, the book was a lot of fun and different. This was my first western genre read.

I’m not a huge fan of westerns in general, but I find I do really enjoy westerns that are more speculative and inclusive, like this one. The story was well paced and kept me engaged throughout, although there was a lot going on. I would also be really interested in reading more about Ada where this book leaves off, because I think North has many more ideas to explore.

Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for the advance copy.

***eArc provided by NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing in exchange for an honest review***

Outlawed is the story of Ada, a young woman in the late 1800s, at nearly the turn of the century, who must escape her hometown, leaving behind her family, because she's accused of witchcraft. She eventually finds herself in the Hole in the Wall gang, a diverse group led by the Kid.

The story itself is remarkably short for how much Anna North manages to pack into it. My favorite part of the entire reading experience was the voice. I have a great interest in literature based in the American West, but never feel like it's either modern enough to be understood without a deep education, nor inclusive enough to reflect the way of the world. North manages to make the prose feel both modern but within genre, and to decorate the story with important characters who aren't simply straight white men and women. North doesn't shy away from the racism that existed (and still exists), but manages to create a old timey gang that the audience can understand the existence of. There's no doubt in your mind why the Hole in the Wall gang exists.

My biggest complaint was the eArc itself, as the file made it a bit difficult to read. I hope the final digital version of the book has been checked through before it comes out.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing and Net Galley for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

It truly was a different type of Wild West in this altered version of history where barren married women are vilified. I enjoyed this story of Ada and the Hole in the Wall Gang and how they worked towards changing their destinies.

This book is... a lot. Queerness, fertility and some weird romance. It's described as The Crucible meets True Grit but I would say it's The Haidmaid's Tale + Young Guns + True Grit.

Excellent.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

Outlawed was my final read of 2020 and it was such an excellent note to end on. This queer, feminist western is equal parts magical, heartfelt, and fun. I rooted for the whole cast of characters and was fully transported to another world while reading it. And the writing is so sharp — Anna North will be an author I’m excited to read more from. Truly a perfect book to end the year on.

This is absolutely wonderful! North has created memorable characters, great atmospherics, and a plot that will keep you turning the pages. It's 1894 and Ada, chased from her husband and family because she is barren (and named as a witch), finds refuge first in a convent and then with Kid and a band of women at the Hole in the Wall. Daughter of a midwife, she's determined to bring good informed care to women. The gang, which survives by robbing, trains her to ride a horse and shoot a gun, as well as other things. She in turn provides for their medical needs. A plan to rob a bank becomes a huge thing and no spoilers from me on what happens. North spools out the back stories of the other women and of Lark, a man who works with them, slowly and you will be surprised. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. I'd put this aside because I wasn't especially interested in a Western but wow was I happy to have read it. Highly recommend.

I was almost surprised how much I ended up enjoying this. I knew I would like the feminist Western aspect, but I was worried about the super patriarchal society that revolves so heavily around pregnancy because that kind of thing is often a trigger for me. I think the author did a good job using it for world building purposes and to set the stage but also never really getting explicit enough with any of it to put me off the book any point [although your mileage may vary]. Really enjoyed the main character and the heist aspects and would definitely recommend to anyone who liked Upright Women Wanted.

This was an interesting story, but I struggled really getting into it. I found myself easily setting the book down, and not super interested to pick it back up. I think that the world-building was lacking something that would really place me into the world and help me visualize it. I didn't realize it was a dystopian world for a while.

I really liked the MC, Ada, and I wanted to know how her story ended. I liked the western elements, and I really enjoyed the Hole in the Wall gang.

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

This is a hard book to review. I loved this queer telling of strong outlaw women and their Hole in the Wall Gang. What bothered me is how they got there. Don’t get me wrong speculative fiction is wonderful but it seems there is always a terrifying patriarchal society that abuses women. Here women are deemed useless or witches if they cannot reproduce. Still the gang and their misadventures are exciting and the main character Ada is likable and intelligent. Add to that the “Kid” who led the gang and could be an entire story unto their own.
All in all I recommend this book. It is a quick read with that twist on history. Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury USA for this ARC.

A sparkling tale of an adventurous and intelligent young woman

OUTLAWED is the story of how an adventurous and intelligent young woman copes with life on the western frontier in 1890's America. She starts life as a curious daughter of the town's midwife who accompanies her mother on her rounds, and learns much from the experiences.. However, at a young age, she endures some tragic setbacks that allow her, and us, to discover and explore much broader horizons than she ever dreamed. That includes tapping into some characters and themes -- including feminism and LGBTQ life -- that Westerns have traditionally overlooked.

It would be a disservice to the author, and her readers, to reveal the plot any further. Suffice to say, you will not be disappointed. The author has done her homework and uses her skillful imagination to present an authentic, revealing and intriguing story with much appeal. The characters are compelling, the descriptions and dialogue are delightful, and the reader will finish the book with a greater appreciation for life during this turbulent time, warts and all.

A wonderful, powerful slow-paced-quick-read, set in an alternate Wild West that would not seem too far-fetched in modern times.

For the first quarter or so of the book, I was getting strong vibes from the way the women's role in society is placed almost solely in their purpose to have babies. Women who had fertility issues and/or were unable to have children (the men of course were never blamed for any issues they had) were seen as witches and plagues on the small towns. Of course, this was no where near as extreme as Handmaid's Tale, as the women still had many freedoms and were not simply objects, but the general extremism (based in religious fanaticism brought on by, oh hey look, a plague!) was on par with Atwood's masterpiece in my mind.

Ada is an assistant to her mother, who's the town midwife, and has seen a lot, certainly enough to know that fertility issues are definitely not the result of witchcraft. And enough to know that once she gets married and is unable to get pregnant, attending births becomes more and more risky. Indeed, she ends up being labelled as a witch and forced to escape from the town for it, after a a few women she knew or attended to had miscarriages or babies with birth defects.

What follows for the rest of the book is Ada going on a quest for knowledge, planning to travel to a clinic she heard about in her research into infertility. Her quest brings her West (to Wyoming, from what I gleaned from locations mentioned), where she ends up falling in with The Hole in the Wall gang, a legendary group of outcast women and nonbinary folks, who make their living conducting robberies and doing their own damn thing. Ada is reluctant to join, and the gang members are even more reluctant to accept her, but as time goes on she becomes an valuable member of the gang.

The majority of this book, once it got out West, was EXACTLY what I had hoped Upright Women Wanted would have been, but lacked. While Outlawed isn't a sprawling novel, it has much more characterization of everyone sprinkled throughout the story, has a clearer alternate history built and explained, and was much more engrossing to read. Ada was a great mixture of a strong-yet-doubting character, The Kid was amazing and needs a spin off novella, and while I still never got a clear idea of who else did exactly what, they were all still likable and enjoyable to read. While I would have loved more fleshed out backstories, I also didn't feel like I didn't have ANY backstory for them--a good balance in my book.

The final shootout sequence was very well done, just enough suspense to keep me binge reading the last quarter of the book over an afternoon--something I rarely ever do. I did feel the ending was a bit lackluster for a few reasons (I feel like it also could have been drawn out into another chapter almost, or an epilogue), but it was a happy one, for both Ada and for the gang.

HIGHLY recommend for anyone who loves feminist fiction, modern westerns, queer representation, alternate history, and adventure times in general.

This was an interesting book for its time period. Hard to believe some of the beliefs back in those days. The characters were different. The story was interesting enough to make me want to know what happened.
It’s not my usual type of book but I still enjoyed it
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

This book is exactly what it says it is; a cross between “The Crucible” and “True Grit.” “Outlawed” follows Ada as she transitions from housewife to fugitive. As a barren woman, Ada is threatened to either be placed into the stocks and left to the mercy of the townsfolk who believe her to be a witch or enter a convent. One thing leads to another, and she becomes a member of a band of outlaws.

This book thrives with the character of Ada. I enjoyed her tenacity and her courage throughout the book. There are parts that I question her choices, but it only serves to make her a more believable character. She is flawed, she is tough, but she is also studious and observant.

Anna North does a beautiful job describing the lay of the land, and each location is unique and memorable. I love the cast of characters and would have loved to know more about The Kid and more history about the Hole in the Wall Gang. There are plenty of feminist themes that I love while also intertwining LGBTQ+ themes and historical elements.

I loved this book and thought that the story was well-written. The plot was easy to follow, and was always entertaining. I would recommend this book to someone who is a casual reader. The book is not light or “easy,” but the writing style is easy to read, the plot is impressive, and the characters are easy to love. Thank you, NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing, for the advanced copy.

I will post my review on Instagram (www.instagram.com/lyatslibrary) and Amazon upon publication.

Ada lives in western United States in 1894 and is in an unfortunate situation for a woman of her age: she is unable to have children. Her husband, therefore, wants nothing to do with her, and rather than have her face the wrath of the sheriff (who would have her hanged for witchcraft), Ada's mother sends her away. Ada joins a band of outlaws in her quest to find out what makes women barren, as she absolutely does not believe it is witchcraft.

This book reads like an adventure or western novel with a feminist undertone. Readers will be rooting for Ada to succeed. In some ways, the barriers she faces as a woman in the 1890s still echo true in 2020.

Queer feminist dystopian western isn't a genre that's been on my radar, but once I started reading this, I couldn't put it down! The book takes the reader on an emotional, wild ride in an alternate American West in the late 19th century, and makes sure you're thoroughly wrung out before it ends. I was fascinated by the characters and setting, and enjoyed the story that the author wove. I think fans of Alix Harrow would enjoy this. Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for the advance digital copy!

Anna Smith is a skilled wordsmith who has created a dystopian Wild West world for us. In an alternative history, there was a Flu epidemic in 1894. Many people died, and following that, it was crucial that women would provide their husbands with children. Those who did not, and quickly, were deemed barren, ostracized, and were either killed as witches or driven out of their towns. Our heroine Ada travels a meandering path when she is unable to conceive; from her small town where she was a midwife-in-training, to a convent, to becoming a member of the infamous Hole in the Wall gang. Beautiful imagery in this first person account of her trials and tribulations. Warm characterizations. LGBTQ issues are treated in a calm and matter of fact manner. I thank Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Shelved as: read, westerns, diversity, dystopian