Rest for the Wicked: A History Novel

by Naida West

In 1893, Mae Duffy and her family arrive in El Dorado seeking the California dream, but the easy gold is gone and depression grips the nation. Breaking free, she stumbles into Sacramento's underworld and corrupted state government, where girls are political favors. She meets tycoons and senators of the Gilded Age while her brother and other homeless strikers fight the Southern Pacific Railroad. Humbled, Mae returns to rural Cosumne and learns about life from two old women, Chinese and Miwok. She also finds love with Indian Mary's son Billy, the last man of the People in their ancient home place along the Cosumnes River -- until her past comes to haunt them. This action-packed romp through Victorian times continues. A sweeping epic of the last of California's Old West. at times terrifying and yet deeply satisfying. Rooted firmly in history, with ironies extending to today's world. Like the first two award-winning novels of the trilogy (Eye of the Bear and River of Red Gold), this novel

640 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2010

Reviews

[Deanne Smithey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just an okay read for me. The novel follows the fictional character of Mae Duffy through California's history at the turn of the century. I enjoyed the parts that focused on Mae, but I wasn't as interested in the politics and brief mentions of the political names of the times.

[Jessica Williams]

started but haven't finished...