Heresy

I don’t usually read westerns, but I was intrigued by the idea of this book: a band of women bank robbers. This is one of those books that is best read in longer reading sessions, as it allows you to immerse yourself in the various kinds of storytelling: mostly a journal, some short newspaper articles from the 19th century, recordings of an interview done when one of the characters is old and close to the end of her life, and even a podcast transcript. I know this seems like an odd comparison, but it has the feel of WORLD WAR Z, also a wonderful book that uses a lot of “found footage,” to use a movie term, to create ultra realism. I found myself really engrossed in this story, and I boohoo’d at certain points near the end. Despite the grittiness and grief in this book, I’m the end I found it uplifting. Just a beautiful book.

Now, this is one Western that I can get behind 100%. A fictional tale based on true fact, Heresy is centered around a gang of badass women outlaws who live by their own rules in an era where this is essentially unheard of. Not only that, but the gang is comprised of not only white women, but also a Black former slave, a transgender woman, and lesbians, among others. A group forged long before their time, this gang is more family than bad guys, more Robin Hood than outllaw.Lenhardt tells the women's story via fabricated journals, newspaper articles, and interviews, which allowed for the story to be shared through several different lenses. Unfortunately, this made the telling of the tale seem disjointed and cobbled together. I suppose it was supposed to seem that way, however, I tend to appreciate books written in novel form, so it wasn't my favorite thing about this story. Regardless, it was a small irritation compared to the awesomeness that is Heresy.If you are a lover of Westerns, you need to read this book. If you are a lover of women, you need to read this book. If you are a lover of books... Well, basically, y'all - you need to read this freaking book.

This book was chosen for our book club. I was initially excited to read it since I'm a women living in the west. I was a bit disappointed that took until chapter 5-6 for it to finally grab my attention. I found the writing style a bit confusing. The author kept switching back and forth between the narrative and news paper articles. Also the author used aliases for the characters so they were referred to by 2 different names which added to the confusion.A quarter through the book I finally decided to skip the chapters on the newspaper articles and then the story flowed much better. Several other people in my book club also felt that the story was good but the writing style was not.

HERESY is the first book of Melissa Lenhardt’s I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. It’s a true accomplishment.On the most basic terms, it succeeds as a classic Western thriller -- robberies, revenge, all that good stuff. Only the outlaws in this gang are all women.By rights it's a conceit that should strain credulity, but thanks in great part to Lenhardt’s clever narrative strategy, it’s grounded and fully credible from beginning to end. The characters are unique, the relationships are indelible, and while the story takes place 140 years ago, every page feels completely contemporary.The book is presented as a pastiche of documents collected, ordered and presented by a present-day professor of American history -- a journal, a detective’s case file, a WPA-sponsored oral history, and various newspaper clippings of the period. Through these, the participants are allowed to tell the story themselves, sometimes contemporaneously, sometimes with the perspective and rich texture of distant memory. As the narrative passes from one set of hands to another, it unfolds as a series of teases and revelations which held my attention and kept refreshing my curiosity.I'd recommend this unique book to almost anyone.

I absolutely loved this story! The story is original and compelling and all the characters were well written and thought provoking. I enjoyed the Saw Bones series so much and I was anxiously awaiting for Heresy and it does not disappoint!I liked the way the story was told from the three main female characters POV. Margaret, Hattie and Claire were born survivors and their love for each other at the end had me in tears.

Lenhardt rewrites the staid old western with a gender-bending, almost all-female cast. Joins the likes of WHISKY WHEN WE'RE DRY by. John Larson and OUTLAWED by Anna North

It's nice to see the ladies in the wild west get the page time they deserve. These women (fictional, but represented in a very real way through the narrative, journals and other documentation) are brave and loyal - but most of all, they're underestimated. I think this would make a a fantastic show/movie thanks to the character Hattie and the fantastic wild-west, women-centric plot.

This book makes me proud to be a woman! It is the fascinating story of a female outlaw gang in the late 1800's, set in beautiful Colorado. They are strong, determined women who form a "family" not through blood but through love and friendship. You will cheer them on, boo the attitude of "women couldn't/wouldn't do that of men (and women who have been taught that their place in in the kitchen) and fall in love with them.

I loved the story and was so pleased that it was finally brought to light. I really do hope a lot more people read this book.