Little is known about the woman that loved the Sundance Kid and rode with the Kid and Butch Cassidy. Who was Etta Place? Gerald Kolpan has created a life for Etta Place. Kolpan’s image of Place is one of a young girl raised by a single father. She was taught to shoot and ride. After her father’s suicide, she was forced to change her name. The Black Hand was after her for her father’s unpaid debts. When a man accosts her, she kills him in self defense. His family accuses her of murder. She takes refuge with Butch Cassidy’s gang. Her life was one of adventure. She robbed trains, pretended to be Annie Oakley, and befriended Eleanor Roosevelt. She and Sundance considered themselves champions of the poor. My review can never do justice to this book. Gerald Kolpan has captured the essence of Etta Place. This book is captivating. I enjoyed every page. I felt Etta’s fear, triumph, sadness, and joy. I will look forward to more books by this author. |
