by
2.97 of 5 stars
A provocative and strikingly original new voice in fiction reinvents the historical novel-along with American history itself-in this wry "what if?"... read full description

reviews

Jan 23, 2010
Sterlingcindysu rated it: 3 of 5 stars
(copied review) What if two of the most notorious outlaws of the 19th century--brothers Frank and Jesse James--were related to two of the era's greatest minds: novelist Henry James and his philosopher brother William? That's the premise of this thought-provoking and hilarious debut novel, which chronicles a year in the life of these disparate sets of siblings, beginning with a train robbery and careening through a flurry of madcap misadventures. Noting the high times and daring crimes in this im More...
Feb 20, 2009
Jessie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A historical novel that pulls together two famous sets of James brothers (Jesse and Frank (outlaws) and Henry and William (psychologist/author)) into one unpredictable life. An entertaining read more for it's audacity than for plot or character development. I think this book would have been a lot more fun if I could have actually separated the real history from the fake.
May 30, 2010
Mary rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Great premise...love the thought of Henry James as the long-lost brother of Frank and Jesse James...
Jul 30, 2011
Meleya added it
Interesting concept but bit boring at times for me.
Apr 28, 2010
Ronjoseph50 rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Lots of fun!
Jul 10, 2008
Kristen rated it: 2 of 5 stars
oh, so disappointing! a brilliant premise (the new england james' are secretly related to the outlaw james'), but actually pretty shallow. some funny moments, but these are outweighed, in the end, by pretty rampant sexism throughout. and did I mention the james-brothers-don-blackface scene? exactly as offensive as it sounds.
Mar 07, 2009
Gayle rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This was a fun read - a fictionalized account written as non fiction. About what would happen if Henry James, Jesse James, William James and Frank James had actually been brothers. Funny, comical, and very wry, you will have fun with this if you've ever read Henry James or studied Wester history and the James gang.
Nov 07, 2009
Nicole rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This was AWESOME. It was like Lemony Snicket for adult academics. Beautifully constructed, fantastic use of vocabulary, and a terrifically witty spoof on academic writing. I loved it.

Apr 02, 2009
Nicole rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Feb 08, 2012
Greg rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Feb 04, 2012
Kisha rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Dec 11, 2011
Paul rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Dec 07, 2011
Erin marked it as to-read
Nov 17, 2011
Daniel rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Nov 10, 2011
Bobbi marked it as to-read
Oct 16, 2011
Kim added it
Oct 09, 2011
Karen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Sep 03, 2011
Kelsi marked it as to-read
Jul 30, 2011
Rose marked it as to-read
Jul 05, 2011
Norma marked it as to-read
Sep 15, 2011
Inflatigirl added it
Jul 01, 2011
Megan marked it as to-read
Jul 04, 2011
Hannah rated it: 3 of 5 stars
May 03, 2011
Malinda marked it as to-read
Apr 05, 2011
Joseph marked it as to-read
Feb 26, 2011
michelle rated it: 5 of 5 stars
May 31, 2011
Clare rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Mar 11, 2011
David added it
Feb 10, 2011
Diane marked it as to-read
Jan 31, 2011
Katie marked it as to-read