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The Lily of the West
Winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best First Western Novel, The Lily of the West is the story of Mary Katherine Haroney, known as the notorious "Big Nose Kate." In the American West of the 1800s, women had few choices, but Kate made her own way. A Hungarian immigrant, Kate forged her way across the American frontier, an orphaned stowaway on a Mississippi riverboat who became the belle of the Dodge City music halls, known for her outspoken manner and her alluring appearance. Classically educated, she spoke four languages, finding love and much in common with a charming but volatile dentist from Atlanta, Dr. John Henry (Doc) Holliday. She was a trusted friend of the Earps and Bat Masterson, an adventurous woman who witnessed the violent lawlessness that preceded the end of an era.
341 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 24, 2021
Published in 2019, the historical novel "The Lily of the West," by Kathleen Morris, tells the story of 'Big Nose Kate,' friend and lover of Dr. John Henry (Doc) Holliday.
My book club chose this novel for our December 2021 read, and I was fortunate enough to be given a free copy of this book to read.
But I had to abandon the novel after the first sixteen pages. I read the Postscript on pages 335-336, and felt grateful that I'd given up on the book when I did. I certainly don't feel like I missed anything.
The prose of this novel is rather clunky and juvenile. It felt like reading a first draft submission in a writers' critique group. This book won the 2019 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best First Western Novel, and I must say, this doesn't read like prize-winning fiction to me.
Told in first person, I found Kate's voice to be so pompous, egotistical, childish, and misogynistic that I just didn't care about her or her life. Since I also wasn't enjoying the prose, I just couldn't force myself to suffer through this story.
One-star DNF for me personally.
Three stars because I'm obviously not the right audience.
My book club chose this novel for our December 2021 read, and I was fortunate enough to be given a free copy of this book to read.
But I had to abandon the novel after the first sixteen pages. I read the Postscript on pages 335-336, and felt grateful that I'd given up on the book when I did. I certainly don't feel like I missed anything.
The prose of this novel is rather clunky and juvenile. It felt like reading a first draft submission in a writers' critique group. This book won the 2019 Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best First Western Novel, and I must say, this doesn't read like prize-winning fiction to me.
Told in first person, I found Kate's voice to be so pompous, egotistical, childish, and misogynistic that I just didn't care about her or her life. Since I also wasn't enjoying the prose, I just couldn't force myself to suffer through this story.
One-star DNF for me personally.
Three stars because I'm obviously not the right audience.
April 10, 2019
Read like fanfic for the movie "Tombstone".
March 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Have seen many movies about the Old West and Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp and his family, but never one for the female perspective. Mary Katherine Haroney, AKA Lily of the West is one of the women behind the man in this story - and a story you won't soon forget!!
September 3, 2020
Kathleen Morris certainly ‘hit the ground running’ as a western novelist as her debut ‘Lily of the West’ won the Peacemaker Award for best first novel. ‘Lily’ is a refreshing new take on a familiar tale. ‘Big Nose’ Kate Elder normally only features as a supporting player in the story of Wyatt Earp and John Henry – ‘Doc’ – Holliday. Here she takes centre stage and we follow her life from long before she met either of these western legends to long after. Born in Hungary, Kate travels from Europe to Mexico to Iowa, then St. Louis and New Orleans. Tragedy and chance take her west, to the dusty plains of Kansas, Texas and finally Arizona. Here tension builds as the Earp Brothers and Holliday square up against the Clanton Gang, leading to their historic clashes in Tombstone. But as much tension arises from the curious triangle of Kate, ‘Doc’ and Wyatt Earp. Kate attempts to steer ‘Doc,’ the man she loves, away from what she sees as the malign influence of Earp, but the strange bond between the two men keeps luring Holliday back. I particularly liked the touching description of Kate and Doc’s final months together, after these mighty events have passed. Recommended.
July 6, 2019
This is a wonderfully written book that could appeal to both women and men. I’m don’t typically read Westerns, but this book had so many great elements, that it kept my interest throughout the book. It is a great story of perseverance, through extreme difficulty. This book shares another perspective on a piece of history that we’ve all heard about, Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral, but this time we get to hear it from Mary Katherine Haroney, Kate. A woman who struggled, but was determined and accomplished what she set her mind to do. If Kate were alive today, I’d love to see what she would be doing!~Janell @ Green Gables Book Reviews
Mary Katherine Haroney may have been born in the wrong era. In the 1800’s, there were not many job choices for women-and she was an independent woman with no interest in taking the typical route in life. Even as a young woman, she wasn’t interested in the fancy parties that her Mother felt were so important for her to attend. Kate’s family was in all of the right social circles, and had many great opportunities. Things changed when Kate was 15 and her family needed to flee their homeland. They arrived in Davenport, Iowa to make a new life. Soon after, Kate becomes an orphan. With help along the way, she learns skills that will serve her well throughout her life.
On her own, she traveled to the new American Frontier, where she soon becomes known as “The Lily of the West,” with musical talents that can quiet a room, and then make it roar in applause. Through her journeys she meet Wyatt Earp, then later, Doc Holliday. She and Doc Holliday become a powerful, but dangerous couple throughout the new west. The battle at the O.K. Corral is a moment in US History that lasted 30 seconds but had a big impact. Kate was there, along with Doc and the Earp family, fighting against a group of Cowboys, that were quick to shoot and didn’t care about the law.
A story of fighting for what is right, standing up for your friends, taking chances and remembering your family. The last few chapters were very memorable.
Mary Katherine Haroney may have been born in the wrong era. In the 1800’s, there were not many job choices for women-and she was an independent woman with no interest in taking the typical route in life. Even as a young woman, she wasn’t interested in the fancy parties that her Mother felt were so important for her to attend. Kate’s family was in all of the right social circles, and had many great opportunities. Things changed when Kate was 15 and her family needed to flee their homeland. They arrived in Davenport, Iowa to make a new life. Soon after, Kate becomes an orphan. With help along the way, she learns skills that will serve her well throughout her life.
On her own, she traveled to the new American Frontier, where she soon becomes known as “The Lily of the West,” with musical talents that can quiet a room, and then make it roar in applause. Through her journeys she meet Wyatt Earp, then later, Doc Holliday. She and Doc Holliday become a powerful, but dangerous couple throughout the new west. The battle at the O.K. Corral is a moment in US History that lasted 30 seconds but had a big impact. Kate was there, along with Doc and the Earp family, fighting against a group of Cowboys, that were quick to shoot and didn’t care about the law.
A story of fighting for what is right, standing up for your friends, taking chances and remembering your family. The last few chapters were very memorable.
July 10, 2020
Historical fiction gets a fresh new twist with this well-written novel about Mary Katherine Haroney (aka“The Lily of the West”). Author Kathleen Morris does a great job of filling in the gaps between well-known fact and probable fiction. Her emotional descriptions and discourse turn even the most jaded of readers into sympathetic followers of “Big Nose Kate”. Better yet, she lets the strong and independent “Kate” tell her own story.
There have been many stories about the “bigger than life” characters known as Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and his brothers, and even Bat Masterson. There will undoubtedly be many more. However, few capture the role and perspective of the one woman who knew them all. She witnessed the violent lawlessness of the American frontier like few others. Kathleen Morris captures Kate’s passionate intensity for life, her perseverance, independent spirit and her ability to overcome personal tragedy at a time when women had few options. Kate created her own path to success.
Her story really begins when her family flees the Mexican court of Emperor Maximilian to Davenport, Iowa to create a new life. Gone were of parties and life of high society in which Kate really had no interest anyway. She becomes an orphan at fifteen. What follows this classically educated woman, who could speak four languages, was a series of tragedies and life choices that would take her from Mississippi Riverboat stowaway to New Orleans on to the saloons and gambling halls of Dodge City and Tombstone. Along the way we learn about the men in her life and her alluring adventures and experiences as a singer, gambler, prostitute and entrepreneur.
But, it’s clearly through her unflinching . . . although sometimes turbulent . . . relationship and love for Dr. John Henry “Doc” Holliday that we learn about her strength, her flaws and her unwavering loyalty. This great, award-winning story gives the reader a fresh and seldom told side about someone who was there as the American frontier came of age. A must-read for those whose interests include that era of American history.
There have been many stories about the “bigger than life” characters known as Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and his brothers, and even Bat Masterson. There will undoubtedly be many more. However, few capture the role and perspective of the one woman who knew them all. She witnessed the violent lawlessness of the American frontier like few others. Kathleen Morris captures Kate’s passionate intensity for life, her perseverance, independent spirit and her ability to overcome personal tragedy at a time when women had few options. Kate created her own path to success.
Her story really begins when her family flees the Mexican court of Emperor Maximilian to Davenport, Iowa to create a new life. Gone were of parties and life of high society in which Kate really had no interest anyway. She becomes an orphan at fifteen. What follows this classically educated woman, who could speak four languages, was a series of tragedies and life choices that would take her from Mississippi Riverboat stowaway to New Orleans on to the saloons and gambling halls of Dodge City and Tombstone. Along the way we learn about the men in her life and her alluring adventures and experiences as a singer, gambler, prostitute and entrepreneur.
But, it’s clearly through her unflinching . . . although sometimes turbulent . . . relationship and love for Dr. John Henry “Doc” Holliday that we learn about her strength, her flaws and her unwavering loyalty. This great, award-winning story gives the reader a fresh and seldom told side about someone who was there as the American frontier came of age. A must-read for those whose interests include that era of American history.
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May 15, 2021It takes a very gifted writer to write historical fiction filling in the spaces of a historical time period and making it feel real. Kathleen Morris is a writer whose superb craftsmanship makes a time period and characters come alive. Her work shines in her debut novel “The Lily of The West”.
Writing in the first person from a women's point of view is not often found in traditional westerns. Morris gives the reader a new perspective on a well-known figure in history, Mary Katherine Haroney, nickname Big Nose” Kate. How she got her nickname is still a subject of debate. Some say it was because she actually had a rather large nose. Others claim it was because she was always sticking her nose into other peoples’ business. She is best known as the on-and-off-again girlfriend of Doc Holliday.
What stands out for me as a reader is Morris's ability to create a memorable character who is compassionate, loyal, and self-reliant. We find Kate preservers no matter what challenges are thrown her way during a tumultuous time period of lawlessness. Morris's sentence structure is impeccable and eloquent making the book a mesmerizing read sweeping me into the frontier era of the old west. The last few chapters are poignant as Kate stands by her man who is dying of tuberculosis.
Morris's writing has a nice flow from chapter to chapter keeping the reader engaged. The only way a writer can strike a balance between the world of fiction and the boundaries of time and place of real-life events is by meticulous research. It has served her well in telling the story.
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction and a strong woman character living on the western frontier.
Writing in the first person from a women's point of view is not often found in traditional westerns. Morris gives the reader a new perspective on a well-known figure in history, Mary Katherine Haroney, nickname Big Nose” Kate. How she got her nickname is still a subject of debate. Some say it was because she actually had a rather large nose. Others claim it was because she was always sticking her nose into other peoples’ business. She is best known as the on-and-off-again girlfriend of Doc Holliday.
What stands out for me as a reader is Morris's ability to create a memorable character who is compassionate, loyal, and self-reliant. We find Kate preservers no matter what challenges are thrown her way during a tumultuous time period of lawlessness. Morris's sentence structure is impeccable and eloquent making the book a mesmerizing read sweeping me into the frontier era of the old west. The last few chapters are poignant as Kate stands by her man who is dying of tuberculosis.
Morris's writing has a nice flow from chapter to chapter keeping the reader engaged. The only way a writer can strike a balance between the world of fiction and the boundaries of time and place of real-life events is by meticulous research. It has served her well in telling the story.
I highly recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction and a strong woman character living on the western frontier.
December 24, 2020
The Lily of the West tells the story of Mary Katherine Haroney who goes from being a Hungarian immigrant orphan to a singing star at dance halls in New Orleans and Dodge City and eventually becoming lover to 'Doc' Holliday. She becomes known as 'Big Nose Kate' and is as skilled at gambling as in her singing. She becomes involved with the Earps of Dodge City and is romantically involved with Wyatt Earp before Doc Holliday enters her life. The novel portrays her as a remarkable strong woman whose weakest link is her addictive love relationship with Doc which is a self-destructive relationship for Kate.
The novel was a very interesting read for me learning more about these infamous people of Western history---especially their involvement with the Earps. This novel certainly paints a different side of these people than what I was exposed to while watching western tv shows during my childhood, including Gunsmoke set in Dodge City and others featuring the historical characters of Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp.
The novel was a very interesting read for me learning more about these infamous people of Western history---especially their involvement with the Earps. This novel certainly paints a different side of these people than what I was exposed to while watching western tv shows during my childhood, including Gunsmoke set in Dodge City and others featuring the historical characters of Bat Masterson and Wyatt Earp.
January 10, 2022
If you have ever wanted to explore and learn more about Katherine Haroney - the love of John Holliday (doc) in the 1800's this is the read for you. We all know about the OK Corral and what happened in Tombstone, AZ but there is so much more to the people who lived and shaped the West at that time.
Kate is very complex as humans are and you will discover the many trials, triumphs, and things that she endured during this read. She was an independent, astute, and successful business woman in her own right.
The relationship between Kate and Doc is very complex and complicated but you will find that despite their differences and challenges they were really each others love of a lifetime.
The author has certainly done her research and work in making this a historical novel and she explains where she took creative rights when compiling this book.
This is the second book I have read by Kathleen and I'll be looking for more.
Kate is very complex as humans are and you will discover the many trials, triumphs, and things that she endured during this read. She was an independent, astute, and successful business woman in her own right.
The relationship between Kate and Doc is very complex and complicated but you will find that despite their differences and challenges they were really each others love of a lifetime.
The author has certainly done her research and work in making this a historical novel and she explains where she took creative rights when compiling this book.
This is the second book I have read by Kathleen and I'll be looking for more.
January 22, 2019
Loved this book. Huge fan of western historical fiction. I was skeptical about the book at first. Mainly due to the cover. It looked more like a romantic western, however I was quickly won over in the first few chapters because of the writing skills of the author. Kathleen Morris does a very fine job blending the historical truth of what we know about the wrongly nicknamed Big Nose Kate and her associated prominent western icons with the unknown parts that we don’t with passionate intensity. I thoroughly enjoyed this clear eyed take on a controversial woman whose life intersected with the Earps – from Bessie to Wyatt, and her lifelong troubled relationship with Doc Holliday, from Dodge City to Tombstone, as well as Doc’s tragic end with Kate by his side in Colorado. Morris does a fine job of bringing them all to life for us – they truly were all one of kind.
April 19, 2019
A fresh, thrilling, and insightful exploration of the often maligned or dismissed Mary Katherine Haroney as told by Kate herself. The novel covers her youth and early relationships, particularly her intense and sometimes violent relationship with Doc Holliday, and the many well-known events up until his death. Morris skillfully gives Kate her own voice, dignity, and agency in this sympathetic portrayal without glossing over her flaws or the role she played in her often tumultuous life. The novel ends after Doc's death and I would have liked to have continued on with Kate as she lived many more eventful years but Morris does include a brief postscript. I look forward to more by this author!
October 29, 2024
3.5 star rating
This historical fiction brought the life of "Big Nose Kate" to people interested in the life of Doc Holliday and his common law wife, Mary Katherine Haroney. Various settings in the book are Las Vegas, Dodge City and the infamous OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Various characters include Wyatt Earp and his brothers and Bat Masterson. This is a love story combined with gun fights and saloons. Doc (who was trained as a dentist) and Kate (whose many jobs varied from dance hall singer to cook) lived a uniquely wild ride in the equally wild west of the 1800's. Adventurous readers need to dodge the bullets as they turn the pages.
This historical fiction brought the life of "Big Nose Kate" to people interested in the life of Doc Holliday and his common law wife, Mary Katherine Haroney. Various settings in the book are Las Vegas, Dodge City and the infamous OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. Various characters include Wyatt Earp and his brothers and Bat Masterson. This is a love story combined with gun fights and saloons. Doc (who was trained as a dentist) and Kate (whose many jobs varied from dance hall singer to cook) lived a uniquely wild ride in the equally wild west of the 1800's. Adventurous readers need to dodge the bullets as they turn the pages.
June 5, 2021
This is a fiction version of the story of Mary Katherine Haroney known as Big Nose. She was born in Hungary where her father was the private doctor of the ruler. When the ruler moved so did they until things started going bad and they moved to Iowa. After her father’s death she has a very rough life with many men friends, a singing career and boarding house owner. The live of her life was Doc Holliday and their life was one of violence.
February 15, 2019
A nice fictionalized biography of Mary Katherine Haroney. Born in Pest, Hungary, orphaned in the US, she was a semi-famous figure in the American West for her singing, gambling and relationship with Doc Holliday. The books tells her story through the death of Holliday. The afterward says it was hard enough finding out about her before that but very little after. A good read.
March 7, 2019
Though the book is listed under fiction, the author researched Miss Kate's life and has done her best to do justice to Miss Kate's life and personality. The book is a quite enjoyable read, and I do recommend it.
November 17, 2018
Amazing concept, poor execution.
May 24, 2019
The history of the Earps and Doc Holliday were interesting, but almost 1/3 of the book was about Kate and Doc Holliday in bed. This was unnecessary and slowed the book down.
June 18, 2021
Kathleen Morris is a treasure, and the western genre is lucky to have her!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews