The Whip

Five Stars! Unbelievable story!. Captivatting from start to fi

Five Stars!
Unbelievable story!. Captivatting from start to finish.
Hope we hear more from this author in the near future.
Gary
Toronto, Canada

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Great book! Kondazian is a gifted storyteller and writes so visu

Great book! Kondazian is a gifted storyteller and writes so visually, I found myself casting the movie in my head as I read it! 

Her portrayal of Charley is compelling -- I eagerly turned pages wanting to find out her story. The author wrote each character and scene so well, and I even cried at once point (okay, two). 

Hollywood would do well to recognize this book and make a movie right quick! If they want help with the casting, I'm available. 

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Whip is an engaging and thrilling novel. It is narrated bril

The Whip is an engaging and thrilling novel. It is narrated brilliantly. The dialogue is clear, concise,
and sharp. All the characters sound and speak differently. Yes, they curse because after all that is how historically speaking Cowboys spoke in the Old West. It is a fast action paced character driven revenge Western story. A must read for anyone who is fascinated by the life of the true story of Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst who was a woman that dressed like a man in order to survive making a decent living as a stagecoach driver for Wells Fargo during the Gold Rush Era.

It is evident that The Whip would make a wonderful academy award winning Western film for the
narration, mood, and tone of the novel is cinematic in the same vein of the classic Western film.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent book

Fantastic book!!! I just could not put the book down because it was such a good story. Highly recommend.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Karen Kondazian has a way with words that just about takes your

Karen Kondazian has a way with words that just about takes your breath away. She's smart, funny and unapologetic. This is one of the best novels I've ever read... and I've read a mountain of them. Heartbreakingly beautiful characters and truly unpredictable twists and turns had me panicked, repeatedly checking how many pages I had left. Warning: This is a story whose ending you will mourn. Have your tissues ready.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

I found the THE WHIP on Amazon's list for biographical fiction b

I found the THE WHIP on Amazon's list for biographical fiction best sellers and I must say, I was very surprised by this one. How it took to me on an emotional level.

Set in the uncompromising Old West, the Whip's inspired by the true story of an extraordinary woman, Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst who lived most of her life as a male stagecoach driver set on a path of revenge.

I found Charley's story extremely moving, thrilling, dangerous and equally witty and heartbreaking. That's a testament to the author's careful handling of the touchy subject matter. The book captures the social and racial turmoil during the gold rush period with grace. Although a complicated and flawed character, author Karen Kondazian paints Charley as a fascinating, inspirational woman we care for. This compelling narrative of her personal journey will not be easily forgotten.

It's a quick, breezy read (the chapters are really short) and I got hooked pretty quickly. Highly recommended!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

An exceptional, quick read

This book was so well written that I couldn't put it down; however, loved it so much that I didn't want it to end. Karen is such a good writer that I felt like I was the main character, Charley, feeling her pain and pleasure. I enjoyed the book so much, that 2 months later, I have started reading it again!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The title is appropriate because it not only describes the story

The title is appropriate because it not only describes the story but also how tightly the reader is held, moved and grabbed. What a great story and one where not a word or phrase is wasted in this well-written story of life in the old west that we have never heard before. More importantly it is a very personal story about how a person can triumph in their own way while keeping a secret that would have made their journey impossible. Couldn't put it down and finished it wanting to know more and especially read more by Karen Kondazian. She has certainly brought her talents as an actress and story-teller to her writing and especially how to "whip" an audience. Don't miss this book if you want to be informed, enlightened, and moved.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

They had me at the cover.

What a great read. I love historical novels set during the late 1800's and this one did not disappoint. It has everything a great western needs (horses, gunfights, stagecoaches, bar room brawls, etc.) and so much more. I loved it from beginning to end. If there is an award for best cover art, this book should win.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommend this book! You must check it out! Best western novel since lonesome dove!

The book I discovered quite by accident. Once I received it on my nook, I could hardly put it down. It is a great story, wonderfully crafted, and it catches you on the first page and holds you tight through the entire read. This book should be brought to the silver screen.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

a piece of history which must be read

There are stories and books that to come to you by chance and when you turn the very last page you feel invigorated becasue you found such a poignant and moving story, that is what happened with THE WHIP. Karen Kondazian weaves a story of American history where love crosses boundaries and where heartache and love is represented at it truest and rawest form. As a woman, I admired Charlotte "Charley" Packhurst. I was incredibly moved by her struggle and her will to make her own life, at some great costs. Charley kept on trudging forward despite the obstacles she faced. Kondazian really caputured the essense of what it must have been like for Charlotte to be Charley for all those years. Written in a nicely paced and engaging style, you will become so entrenched in the story and become emotionationally invested in Charley and the supporting characters. I have to admit that I am not normally drawn to historical/romance/western, but after reading what THE WHIP was written about, I could not turn it away. I feel ever so grateful to have read THE WHIP and to share this raving review with you. I have to agree with the other reviewers saying they could see this becoming a big screen hit. THE WHIP will not disappoint and I highly recommend it!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well written

An interesting bit of American history turned into great story. I wonder how many other women in that era denied the restrictions placed on women back then and lived as a man?

Charley Parkhurst has lived a life of hardship including abandon

Charley Parkhurst has lived a life of hardship including abandonment and abuse. As an adult out on her own, she chooses to live life on her own terms no matter what others think. Then, those closest to her die and she vows revenge. Thus begins a lifelong journey to find justice, love, companionship and happiness. In order to find these things, she has to live life as a man.

The Whip, the debut novel by Karen Kondazian, is an interesting fictionalized account of the life of a well-known California-based stagecoach driver and the events that led her to live her life as a man in the 1800’s. In telling the story of Charley Parkhurst, Kondazian touches on the effects of social issues of the time period including the care that children received in orphanages of the day, racism, and the accepted gender roles of that time period. Motifs include these social issues as well as abandonment and loss, death, and revenge. It questions what constitutes a “family” and how one person comes to terms with a lifetime of loss and loneliness in a time when women were not valued in society.

The reader should expect to encounter language, violence, and sexuality while reading the novel. This book will appeal to adult readers.

<i>I received a copy of this book in exchange for my fair and honest review. I did not receive any additional compensation and all views are my own.</i>

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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