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Beautiful, elusive, and refined, Etta Place captivated the nation at the turn of the last century as she dodged the law with the Wild Bunch, led by...
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reviews
Feb 20, 2009
Amy
rated it: 
I really wanted to love this book.
It had everything going for it – a gun toting kick ass heroine, a historical mystery, my favorite genre (historical fiction), my favorite time period, and even a preferred historical fiction style of mixed media – journal entries, newspapers, and straight up fiction.
Only a little bit into the book, I conceded to myself that the dialogue was a little flat, but at least the action was interesting and the character of Etta had potential. While it migh More...
It had everything going for it – a gun toting kick ass heroine, a historical mystery, my favorite genre (historical fiction), my favorite time period, and even a preferred historical fiction style of mixed media – journal entries, newspapers, and straight up fiction.
Only a little bit into the book, I conceded to myself that the dialogue was a little flat, but at least the action was interesting and the character of Etta had potential. While it migh More...
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Jan 17, 2009
Kate
rated it: 
Etta is a step back in time, a window into the US at the turn of the century. I admired Kolpan’s ability to show us both the wild west and the refinement of New York and Philadelphia. The story at times kept me on the edge of my seat and was peppered with memorable characters.
Still, it was lacking a bit. Most of it was on the surface, Etta stuck in the tide of events that felt were conveniently put there for the benefit of the book. While I can appreciate the painstaking research an More...
Still, it was lacking a bit. Most of it was on the surface, Etta stuck in the tide of events that felt were conveniently put there for the benefit of the book. While I can appreciate the painstaking research an More...
Feb 04, 2011
Paul
rated it: 
If you looking for a good historical novel that takes place during the later 1800's and early 1900's, "Etta", would be a very good choice. The story is based on an actual person but little is known of her. Historians have tried to find out more about her, but as the author admits a lot of her story is left to the imagination.
Lorinda Jameson was born in Philadelpha of prominent parents. Her father, unfortunately, became overextended and was into the Philadelphia Mafia, al More...
Lorinda Jameson was born in Philadelpha of prominent parents. Her father, unfortunately, became overextended and was into the Philadelphia Mafia, al More...
Feb 27, 2010
Kiersten
rated it:
This book wasn't terrible, certainly not as terrible as some of the other books I've given one star to, but it was just lacking. Halfway through I realized that it wasn't going to be what I expected and I just kind of wanted it to be over. Etta Place, the Sundance Kid's girl, is a totally mysterious and intriguing character, and the premise was great, as was the background and childhood that the author created for this real-to-history character, about which very little was known. But that's a
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Sep 18, 2009
Tara
rated it: 
What an excellent story! I absolutely loved it. Half of it is true, half is made up, but it is historical fiction at its finest. Very little is known about the real life Etta Place, the lover of the Sundance Kid, but Kolpan takes what he does know and elaborates and adds to it and comes up with the most entertaining and spunky heroine. Beginning in 1898, we meet Lorinda Jameson, a wealthy debunte whose father kills himself, leaving her destitute, motherless, and owing money to the "mob"
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Apr 18, 2009
Michele
rated it:
American historical fiction is a tricky genre. For one thing, there isn't too much American history to choose from. Two hundred years is a relatively short time frame and when much of that period was taken up by western expansion, you end up with a lot of novels grouped under the Western genre heading.
Gerald Kolpan's debut novel, Etta, might have been just another western or frontier romance book but for one thing: Etta Place was an actual person.
Those of you familiar wit More...
Gerald Kolpan's debut novel, Etta, might have been just another western or frontier romance book but for one thing: Etta Place was an actual person.
Those of you familiar wit More...
Feb 15, 2009
Misfit
rated it:
Raised in the lap of luxury by her adoring father, eighteen-year-old Lorinda Jameson gets the shock of her life when she's left orphaned and with a mountain of debt - including huge gambling debts to the Black Hand mafia, who are determined to kill or maim anyone who can't repay. A family friend arranges for Lorinda to travel west and take employment as a Harvey girl, and now going by the name of Etta Place she serves meals to diners in Grand Junction Colorado. Everything goes well in her new li
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Jun 01, 2009
Bookmarks Magazine
rated it:
Kolpan's novel is light, entertaining fareóthe type of book one grabs on the way to a relaxing vacation. Several critics were diverted by Etta's encounters with various historical figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Leon Trotsky, Pinkerton detective Charles Siringo, and Annie Oakley, even if some thought that Etta herself wasn't fully believable. Others argued that the sheer number of characters was implausible and "pushing the limits of credibility" (USA Today). Additionally, while
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Apr 20, 2009
Valerie
rated it:
We all know the legends about Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and many other anti-heroes of the West. But did you ever wonder about the women who loved them – like Etta Place? Little is known about the real Etta Place – her history, her legendary romance with the Sundance Kid, even her real name. In this fictionalized account, discover what might have happened…
What if Etta Place was really a Philadelphia debutante whose father was dealing with the wrong people and owed them More...
What if Etta Place was really a Philadelphia debutante whose father was dealing with the wrong people and owed them More...
Apr 28, 2009
Kellyreaderofbooks
rated it:
I had really hoped to like this one. It sounded so interesting: historical fiction based on the girlfriend/companion of outlaw the Sundance Kid. And she even helped with some of the hold-ups! What more could you ask for in a book?
I couldn't have been more disappointed. The character of Etta is so flat; and it's never clear WHY she's doing what she does, or how she feels as she's robbing and gun slingin'. Also, for a book that should be packed full of action and adventure, there isn't More...
I couldn't have been more disappointed. The character of Etta is so flat; and it's never clear WHY she's doing what she does, or how she feels as she's robbing and gun slingin'. Also, for a book that should be packed full of action and adventure, there isn't More...
Dec 29, 2008
Cheryl
rated it:
There hasn’t been much information known about Etta Place, the girlfriend of Harry “The Sundance Kid” Longbaugh. So when author, Gerald Kolpan, first heard about this, he became very intrigued and began to research all he could about Etta Place.
Mr. Kolpan’s first novel, Etta is a fictional story of just who Kolpan imagined Etta Place might have been and where she came from.
Lorinda Reese Jameson was born to a banker and his wife. When she was just eighteen years old, her More...
Mr. Kolpan’s first novel, Etta is a fictional story of just who Kolpan imagined Etta Place might have been and where she came from.
Lorinda Reese Jameson was born to a banker and his wife. When she was just eighteen years old, her More...
Apr 30, 2009
Andrea
rated it:
I won this book on GoodReads--thanks so much!
"Etta" is the imagined tale of an actual woman. Etta Place ran around with Butch Cassidy and was the "wife/partner" of the Sundance Kid. Then, she disappeared and now one knew anything else about her or her life. There is a ton of speculation about who and where this woman was, so what's a person to do but make up something super cool about her?
And that's what Gerald Kolpan did with "Etta". Ett More...
"Etta" is the imagined tale of an actual woman. Etta Place ran around with Butch Cassidy and was the "wife/partner" of the Sundance Kid. Then, she disappeared and now one knew anything else about her or her life. There is a ton of speculation about who and where this woman was, so what's a person to do but make up something super cool about her?
And that's what Gerald Kolpan did with "Etta". Ett More...
Jun 13, 2009
Marla
rated it:
There has been little known about Etta Place the girlfriend of the Sundance Kid. This book has created a life for her and is a great historical mystery. She grows up in Phildelphia, Lorinda Reese Jameson, the daughter of a wealthy banker. She's born with a silver spoon in her mouth, until her dad loses his money by gambling and running up debts. The stress leads him to suicide and Lorinda is pursued by the mafia wanting payment. A lawyer helps her relocate West with a new name Etta Place.
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Feb 08, 2011
Bridget
rated it:
I enjoyed this book for the most part. I was disappointed to find out that it was pretty much all fictionalized because almost nothing is known about the real Etta Place. The dialog wasn't particularly engaging, but there was a lot of action and the plot kept me wanting to read more. Most of the outlaws are characterized as being very noble despite their outlaw activities, and I don't really find that all that convincing. It is a heroine written by a man, which isn't necessarily bad, it just
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Jan 27, 2010
Melanie
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Jul 27, 2009
Barbara
rated it:
Interesting concept for a book. The end of Etta's life is at the beginning of the book. Since very little is known of the real life of Etta, the alleged girlfriend of the Sundance Kid, the author said that he just used his imagination and was careful to place her where the Hole in the Wall gang was known to have been. The book combines Etta's "diary accounts," newspaper stories, etc. to tell the author's version of the story of her life. I didn't think I was going to like it becaus
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Apr 28, 2009
Noe
rated it:
Not that I'm well-versed on outlaws of the Old West, but I do know a little and I had never heard of Etta Place. Apparently she was a female outlaw who ran with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but little is known about her.
The author of this novel took what little is known about her and filled in the blanks with fiction. The book bounces around between traditional storytelling, Etta's journal entries, newspaper articles and letters from the Sundance Kid to his father. The format More...
The author of this novel took what little is known about her and filled in the blanks with fiction. The book bounces around between traditional storytelling, Etta's journal entries, newspaper articles and letters from the Sundance Kid to his father. The format More...
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Nov 02, 2011
Joe
rated it:
I love historical fiction..esp. when its based around an actual figure, such as Etta Place..not to mention Butch Cassidy, Elenor Roosevelt and Annie Oakely. Yes, she meets them all. What a time in our hisory. Everything was possible. You could live in Philadelphia and dream of heading West! where it was a "Brave New World", start over, make your dreams come true..while the reality was..nothing was quite that easy. The "Harvey Girl" is a factual part of Western life.
I ve More...
I ve More...
May 30, 2009
Tammy
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
May 07, 2009
Warnie B.
rated it:
I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I might! The Old West is not really my favorite setting, and I don't really know much of anything at all about Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, so I wasn't sure how interested I would be in a story about the Sundance Kid's girlfriend. However, very soon after I started reading it, I found myself quite sucked in! In addition to the narration, it's told through a combination of letters, journal entries and newspaper articles, which adds to the feeling
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Nov 06, 2010
iubookgirl
rated it:
What amazing imagination and skill Gerald Kolpan has! He has artfully created an entire life for the nearly unknown Etta Place, a compatriot of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Kolpan used the known timeline of real-life people to create a rich, fascinating story of love and adventure, but little to none of the detail is true. I had to constantly remind myself of this while reading. I imagine the real Etta Place would love for this to be her true life story. If you aren't a fan of westerns, d
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Aug 09, 2011
Maxine
rated it:
I loved this one. It's the fictionalized story of Etta Place, who, for those who may not recognize the name, was the real-life love of The Sundance Kid (of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid fame).
The reader is treated to a novel approach regarding the mystery of Etta's identity and background. Interwoven with actual events and the real-life love story between Etta and Sundance, the story, sometimes implausible but always entertaining, keeps the fascinated reader turning pages, and hoping the o More...
The reader is treated to a novel approach regarding the mystery of Etta's identity and background. Interwoven with actual events and the real-life love story between Etta and Sundance, the story, sometimes implausible but always entertaining, keeps the fascinated reader turning pages, and hoping the o More...
Sep 22, 2009
Beth
rated it:
I love anything to do with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (especially the movie) so I was intrigued by the premise of this novel -- it goes into the history of Sundance's "woman" Etta Place, who remains a mysterious figure to historians. I liked the character of Etta. She was a strong woman that fell into less than ideal circumstances. I liked most of the book, but I felt it started to fall apart when Etta moved to New York (and met Eleanor Roosevelt) and was definitely in shreds b
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Sep 14, 2009
Cathy
rated it:
I thought this was a fun read. Sure, it's not rocket science. I don't think it's intended to be. It's a fictionalized account about the woman who hung out with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It took a bit to get into it, but then I was hooked and duly entertained. And the bit about her beauty being focused on by other reviewers? I think it's just a way for the reader to recognize who the auther it talking about, because personal accounts don't always include the names of the characters. Aft
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May 28, 2009
Charlaralotte
rated it:
This is a fun read. Especially if you like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid." Not much is known about the real life of Etta Place (played by Katherine Ross in the movie), and this book takes a fun stab at what her actual life might have been. Lots of the historical details are fascinating to learn --I never knew about "Harvey Girls." At times, I wished for footnotes to let me know what was truth and what was fiction, but I don't think the aim of the book was to be scholarl
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Jan 29, 2012
Marla
rated it:
Quick, interesting read. Not a great discussion book, but entertaining and enjoyable.
Likes:
* Kolpan's imagined life of Etta Place, the Sundance Kid's girlfriend
* Laura Bullion/Della Rose, the tough, lady-of-few-words, Harvey girl roommate of Etta
* Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid seemed like tough, interesting, loyal, Robin Hoods
* Pinkerton agent, Detective Siringo, was a worthy opponent
* Life as a Harvey girl, a waitress in a Harvey Restaurant
* Etta being a More...
Likes:
* Kolpan's imagined life of Etta Place, the Sundance Kid's girlfriend
* Laura Bullion/Della Rose, the tough, lady-of-few-words, Harvey girl roommate of Etta
* Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid seemed like tough, interesting, loyal, Robin Hoods
* Pinkerton agent, Detective Siringo, was a worthy opponent
* Life as a Harvey girl, a waitress in a Harvey Restaurant
* Etta being a More...
Mar 23, 2009
Sara
rated it:
Not much is known about the legendary Etta Place who ran with the Outlaw bank robbing Hole- in-the-wall gang at the turn of the century. Where the historical record leaves off, Gerald Koplan steps in telling Etta’s imagined and incredible life story in his debut novel, Etta. Etta begins the story as a tom-boy debutante, lovely even though she prefers horseback riding and shooting to the tedium of parties. When her dad commits suicide, leaving her in financial ruin and threatened by some of hi
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Jan 02, 2009
K
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Feb 26, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
I actually found this book entertaining and easy to get into. I love that Etta is able to take advantage of any situation she is in an able to do some many things that other women were not able or willing to do at that time. I love that it is based on a real person and I wondered why I had never heard of her before!! I hated that half way through the book that the had to start dropping the F bomb all of the time. It made it harder for me to want to continue reading it.
Overall it was an goo More...
Overall it was an goo More...
