Esther's Pillow

by Marlin Fitzwater

The year is 1911. After attending college in Wichita for two years, Margaret Chambers returns home to teach in the one-room schoolhouse of her youth. Trouble brews quickly. The God-fearing citizens of this small, weather-beaten town feel threatened by the bright-eyed, full-figured Margaret. She's too smart by half and she needs to be put in her place. The men devise a plan to chase Margaret from the county forever. But fueled by whiskey and the shame of their own desires, their plan soon spins out of control. In one night of brutal violence, they ambush Margaret and tar and feather her naked body. After the men are arrested, a long, painful trial begins -- a trial that will thrust this proud, private Kansas town into the national spotlight, splitting families apart and exposing the dark secrets of one hideous night to the unforgiving light of day.Esther's Pillow is based on a true story. It is the story that author Marlin Fitzwater learned at his father's deathbed. Haunted by his family's own role in the Chambers scandal, Fitzwater reached deep into the past to unearth the shocking secrets of one family, a small Kansas town, and the dark passions that changed them all forever.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Book Club, Fiction, Historical

256 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2001

Reviews

[Helen Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as part of a book exchange when I lived in America, and glad that I got it, it was a really good read. There's nothing like taking in a personal story based on some family history. I raced through this book to see how the events unfolded, so it was obvious how much I was enjoying it. The tar and feather court case itself was all explained out rather quickly, with not too much drama, but the characters and the minds of this tight knit community were what drew you in with their shocking belief of what was acceptable and how they continued that belief.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise of this book was fascinating, and being based on true events in the author's family history made it sound even better. Unfortunately, I didn't love it. There were some factual errors in the first few chapters, and those probably made me read it more critically. The author didn't draw me into the story, and the characters felt flat. The ending was rather strange, and the book overall made me wish that a skilled author had taken this amazing story and crafted something better.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the beginning to be a little hard to get into; I see why the book uses modern day to frame the main story, but it was a little awkward. Once the main story starts going, it's a pretty quick read.

[Jeff Danhauer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Annette Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story by an amazing and accomplished man

[Pbwritr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book. Had no idea that a former White House press secretary could write such a thought-provoking book. And he's a "local" author! Based on a true story in his family, turn of the 20th century. A long-lost relative of his was one of the instigators in tarring and feathering a young female schoolteacher. Although she had grown up in the town, the women were jealous of her beauty, confidence, fashion, and education and initiated rumors about her character, reputation, etc., and then urged their menfolk to run her out of the county. Margaret stuck up for herself, though, and the new county prosecutor won jail terms for all 14 defendants. Testament to how ugly gossip and rumor can be taken as fact and destroy people's lives.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, historical fiction taking place in a tiny, backwater town in Kansas in 1911. A home-grown girl returns from college (a very unique experience for girls at that time) to fill the position as teacher for the local one-room school house. The women of the town view her as a threat to the moral upbringing of their children and a temptation to the men folk. They manipulate their husbands, the leading male citizens, to ambush her and apply tar and feathers in hopes of making her leave town. Instead, she charges them legally.

A compelling story of courage and integrity.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the early 1900's young Margaret Chambers returned to her hometown to teach at the school house after attending college. Her education and confidence were seen as a threat, so she was attacked, tarred, & feathered by a group of local men. Based on an incident in the author's family's history, whose grand-uncle was in the brutal tarring party.
This book had a number of obvious editing errors. I couldn't believe it made it to the print shop.

[Kathleen McRae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esther's Pillow is a novel based on true events. The author's great uncle and his great grandfather were part of the events that happened in a small religious town in Kansas.A young girl of 18 had arrived back in town to teach in the local school after 2 years in teachers college She ends up tarred and feathered and surprisingly fights back. This was such a good story and it should be in every classroom.

[Jill Manske · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel was based on a true story that was actually part of the author's family history. It's hard to believe that 100 years ago, something like this could have happened. It's not the best book ever written, but the story was compelling, as were the characters.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth Reading

[Brandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always nice to read a book set in Kansas.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kansas

[Dorothy Fleming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave it a 4 because it is based on a true story of a young schoolteacher who was tarred and feathered because the townsfolk THOUGHT that she was a tramp. Easy reading, but not great literature,