High Empire

by Clyde M. Brundy

A severe beating was young Caroline's first indication that she would need to make it on her own and on her own terms in a world that would demand the most of her great beauty, her extraordinary intelligence, and that something special possessed by only the great.

Collapsing in a fierce blizzard after the beating, Caroline was cared for by the kindly owner of a brothel. Later, her health restored, she moved on to the turbulent silver camp in Colorado. And there began a career that would encompass five dynamic decades, her three remarkable loves, the emergence of a great state, and the building of a woman's HIGH EMPIRE

432 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited for this book. I have enjoyed long epic westerns in the past, but this one didn't really do it for me. This can primarily be attributed to the fact that I didn't like the characters or dialogue. Which are the biggies for me. Caroline did grow on me, but she didn't carry the story like I thought she would. Shawn had a much bigger influence, in my opinion. If I had to choose, he would be my favorite character.

The story was okay. Maybe. I felt the pace was too fast which in turn made the story seem rushed and unbelievable (Unless you are J.K. Rowling, you can't off characters in a sentence.) Everything incredible happens all the time and if it's going bad don't worry give it until the next page and it will be perfect. Unless it's the climax of the story, then you will get 4 pages until Utopia. The author needed to flesh out quality parts insead of trying to squeeze 80 years into 400 pages. It seems like it would be enough, but it wasn't.

I was frustrated with 80% of the book because of the ridiculous turn of events and the characters reactions to them. I can't help but feel like the jumps in the timeline were the most interesting parts of Caroline's life..the relatable everyday parts.

Aspen was my favorite part...it has more personality than any of the humans. I could relax reading about its troubles knowing in the future all would be just fine. Maybe Caroline Ainsley was born in the wrong century.

Overall, the author has talent, I just didn't care for this book. I will give it points for being an easy read and holding my interest. A few key deaths might have given me the feels too. I am glad I didn't care for it anymore than I did. I may still be getting over Lonesome Dove.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

An exhausting read. I'm not sure why. I enjoyed some of the historic and natural details. My issue was with the characters. They just weren't very compelling or realistic.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my all time favorites...one I re read and still enjoy.

[Misfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story begins in 1880 as a twelve year old Carolyn Ainsley brings her own *twist* to the church Christmas pageant and enrages her grandfather Jared Swope who hates Carolyn as much for her likeness to her father than for her rebellious behavior. Beaten within an inch of her life, her father leaves his wife and younger son behind and takes Carolyn to start a new life in the burgeoning silver town of Aspen. The book covers a 50 year period of Carolyn's life and her two marriages, as she goes from boom to bust and boom again as does the town of Aspen itself - and it's all too complicated to try to spell it all out and I don't do book reports.

While I enjoyed this book a lot, especially as I love anything and everything set in Colorado and it's mining towns (do visit), this one just doesn't come up to great. Carolyn was a great character and her storyline has great potential, but the author somehow didn't flesh her out as much as I'd like to see - I know this will sound very not PC but I think a female author could have done her better justice. Still, it was a fun story and I very much enjoyed sinking myself into the beautiful Rocky mountains and Aspen before it was *hip*.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been a few years since I have read this historical fiction book, but I remember enjoying it a lot! The cover looks a bit cheesy and 'romance-ish' but what stands out in my mind is the history of the story and the incredible strength of the main charater. Having grown up in the area in which a large portion of the story takes place, I enjoyed learning the history of that area. When all is said and done, the last woman standing, the main charater, has overcome a very challenging life and her strength and resolve stay with the reader for a very long time. Can't wait to open this one back up!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Colorado