Victor LaValle's Lone Women has garnered generally favorable reviews, praised for its atmospheric setting and strong, complex protagonist. Critics appreciate its blend of historical fiction and horror, noting its innovative take on themes of isolation and survival. However, some find the pacing uneven and the narrative occasionally predictable. Overall, it's seen as a compelling and thought-provoking read.

Readers who relish horror and historical fiction will enjoy Lone Women by Victor Lavalle. Perfect for fans of The Terror by Dan Simmons and The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, it offers a gripping blend of suspense and rich, atmospheric storytelling set in early 20th-century America.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle tells the story of Adelaide Henry, a Black female homesteader in early 20th-century Montana, who flees her violent past in California, carrying a mysterious and heavy steamer trunk. Adelaide settles in the small town of Big Sandy, where she confronts both external dangers and her own dark family secret, which inevitably comes to light, affecting her relationships with her new neighbors and revealing her connection to a monstrous creature. The novel contains descriptions of racism, anti-gay bias, anti-trans bias, graphic violence, and murder, along with racist and xenophobic language.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Challenging

Victor Lavalle

Adult

Novel

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1, Chapters 1-13

Lone Women Part 1, Chapters 1-13 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 14-30

Lone Women Part 1, Chapters 14-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 31-47

Lone Women Part 2, Chapters 31-47 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 48-68

Lone Women Part 3, Chapters 48-68 Summary & Analysis

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Lone Women

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