Montana Women: A Novel

by Toni Volk

Pearl leaves her sister to marry a handsome rancher in Great Falls, Minnesota, where she discovers that she is handy at running the ranch, but her marriage falters and jeopardizes the lifestyle she has come to love

305 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Toni Volk grew up in Montana, earned a BA in journalism from the University of Montana and an MFA from the Iowa Writers Workshop where she received a James A. Michener Fellowship. She is the author of Montana Women and Maybe in Missoula. Her short fiction has appeared in Redzine Magazine and CURA.

Reviews

[Stacie (BTR) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, especially for the sense of time and place, the character development, and the author's writing style. I would have rated this book higher if not for the abrupt ending that lacked resolution. It is important to note that the cover art has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with the story.

[Whitley DeFoor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn’t get into this book. It felt like a chore to read it. I wish I had just DNFd it but I pushed through bc I have been surprised before.

[Linda Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Fabulous writing. Wonderful tale. I reread this after 25 years and enjoyed it as much as the first time.

[Paul Cohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toni Volk has penned a fine novel of mid-20th century ranch life in Montana. Having spent nearly a third of my life there, I found the characters both typical and revealing of the prairie dweller’s mindset. The torment and joys that Buck, Pearl, Etta, and Katie experience are like the landscape itself, ever changing and unpredictable. “Montana Women” is a novel that keeps the reader engaged, charmed, challenged, and hoping. Great storytelling! I highly recommend it.

[Laila · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable. That's about all I can say about this winner.