Hello; my name is Morgan Matthew McCoy III. I grew up near the small coal mining town of Pottsville Pennsylvania. At 18 years of age we moved to Tombstone Arizona; my father was a mining engineer. My childhood was full of confusion, despair, sadness, a very disappointed father; a very loving mother, a thick leather strap, many tears, and a saving angel. During my growing years in Pennsylvania, during our wagon train trip to the West, and after our settlement in Tombstone; problems and trouble seemed to find me at every turn. There just seemed like there were bad men everywhere; sometimes the bad person was me. Because of some special God given talents, though no wish of my own, I became the greatest UNKNOWN gun fighter, protector of the innocent, and healer of the sick and injured; the West had ever; NOT KNOWN! My great fame came, not just because of my many feats, but from the fact I was able to keep my identity a secret. Thus; I became known as "The Ghost". How did I do so? I had secrets of my own. My story will tell you; while the likes of my friends Wyatt Earp and his brothers; Morgan, Warren, and Virgil, along with Wyatt's good friends; Doc Holiday and Bat Masterson; became the famous ones; it was me who was the real law; the real protector of the people. It was me who helped Wyatt Earp finish the outlaw group known as; THE COWBOYS! I have killed more bad men than all the famous lawmen put together. It was me. Well; let me not tell you the end of my story now. Let me just say you will be surprised to know the answer to two of the West's most famous mysteries. How did I accomplish such without becoming famous myself; how did I hide my identity? That answer is what made my life the most unusual of lives. That answer is what made me; who I became; THE GHOST!
Tombstone: The Superhero of the West brings to life the adolescent journey of Morgan, a transgender person (born as a male who identifies as a female) finding her truth in the 1860-70s. Growing up with two sisters, a stereotypically masculine dad, and a loving mother, Morgan always felt something about her identity and sexuality didn’t feel right. Perpetually confused about why she feels the way she does and why she likes certain things. In this eye-opening, insightful read, author Missy M exquisitely explores the innocent musings and journey of an adolescent who just wants to live her truth without worrying about disappointing her family and crossing swords with society.
Initially, Morgan innocently questions gender stereotypes—why should having a particular body part make you enjoy a certain activity less?—and we get insight into her inner battles and conflicts. Since Morgan thrives on education, she turns to books for answers. Later in the story, through heroic adventures, we see how her knowledge comes in handy, which helps her family view her in a new light and thus become more accepting of who she truly is.
This beautifully written story has captured the inner voice of an adolescent coming to terms with her gender and sexuality. As a cisgender, I genuinely believe people who don’t respect gender identity and sexuality as struggles could really learn a thing or two from the author’s narrative of Morgan’s journey. However, I thought some musings and insights were repeated in the book, for example, her sadness about her father not accepting her and her confusion regarding why she liked the things Jenny did. Nonetheless, intrigue is born in the first chapter, which Waldron keeps ignited throughout the book. I’ll definitely be picking up the second book to get more insight into the life of the LGBTQ+ community in the 19th century. While this novel follows the journey of an LGBT young adult, this novel contains language that I think is better suited for an adult audience. Containing mature language and provocative scenes, I think this book is appropriate for mature readers.
Tombstone: The Superhero of the West is a captivating story combining stories of the old west with contemporary issues revolving around gender identity and gender stereotypes. This work of fiction will give readers a new look at a common story while opening their minds to non-traditional viewpoints.
This is the story of Morgan Michael McCoy III who grew up torn between his sexual identity. At a very young age, he knew he loved doing a woman’s chores more than a man’s work. Life for him was full of confusion as he struggles to identify who he really is. Tombstone vividly sketched the coming of age of a homosexual boy in the 1860s. We watch as he got embarrassed in front of his sisters naked, how he was spanked by his father for playing with girls, and how he searched “faggot”—a term that his father once called him after being caught nude with a male friend.
The first half of the book mostly talks about the protagonist’s childhood, self-discovery, and revelation. It tells how he became the best gunfighter and superhero the West had not known. Unlike Wyatt Earp who became famous for being a legendary frontiersman, Morgan just went by the name “the ghost” because of this very reason.
M Missy’s story covers a lot more than I expected. Her writing is very specific, bold, and raw. She creates a narrative that is both entertaining and significantly relevant to society. What I love about her is the fact that she intelligently explores a topic that is often overlooked by most authors. With a sense of wit and humor, she made this novel simultaneous with its time and timeless. I describe it to be distinct as it is the first of its kind. Not sure why I've never come across this author before, but I might go to a search engine after this and look for her other books. I’m sure it’ll be worth investing in based on this one.
One of the many things I love about this novel is that it presents multiple and relevant themes that address myths, misconceptions, challenges, and the labeling that the minority of LGBTQ+ faces up until this moment. Tombstone is shockingly good at the things it’s doing. I read it with high expectations and it did not let me down. The intricate, mesmerizing, and complex plotline embodies a timeless story. With the evocative imagery and gorgeously supple prose, M Missy’s masterful work conceives profound musings about gender, identity, love, family, and acceptance. She was able to combine the hardships and beauties of being a homosexual, emphasizing that being one isn’t far from the standard. We’re all equal after all – in the law and in the eyes of the Lord. She has crafted a world that seamlessly straddles the seen and the unseen.
Right off the bat, the book has already stated its aim – to tell the readers why Morgan McCoy became the superhero of the West they have never known, the reason behind his nickname, “the ghost”. And as you go through the book, you will be surprised by the truth it hides. The result is a fast-paced and exhilarating narrative that’s also thoughtful and intimate.
Furthermore, the author is also an expert in expressing her characters. The depth and the portrayal in their progression are unquestionably stunning. She doesn’t leave a single detail out. The world-building from the thrilling crises lets the readers know them thoroughly.
Honestly, it’s something that is not my cup of tea. I can't say it's exactly to my tastes. However, I found it impossible to ignore a Missy masterpiece. I gave in to Morgan’s persistent buoyancy as he strides through his whirlwind life full of curiosity and naivety. Encountering a lot of people along the way, he had gone through a load of unearthing. He grew up on a small farm in Pottsville. To describe him would be very easy– he is a boy who wants to be a girl. In summary, that’s who he is. So, how come he is named to be the best gunfighter of the West. Well, it's a tangled, complicated rope to explain, so you have to dig in to find out for yourself.
As a child, he felt very baffled about his interest. Because, unlike other boys who love to talk about girls’ bodies and sex, it didn’t seem to intrigue the young boy at all. He’s more engrossed in baking, cooking, cleaning– the reason why his father felt disgusted towards him. It has come to a point that he was called a faggot for being caught undressed with a male friend.
In terms of the writing quality, chef’s kiss, because she’s truly an expert in this field. There’s something about her words that would put you on your seat until you finished the whole thing. She creates well-developed characters and is a genius in constructing narratives. And I swear, there will always be a surprise every flip of a page. She never failed to amaze me in every chapter. And yes, she’s that good. This is her at her very best.
I haven't read a lot of books in this genre, so perhaps it’s too soon to infer that this is the best out there. I can say though that out of the books I’ve read in my 45 years of living on this earth, this is by far the best.
Just like Morgan, I also want to live in a world where I don’t have to hide my true self, where I don’t need to pretend like someone else just to fit society’s standards. I want to walk down the street holding my boyfriend’s hand without the need to endure the nasty stares from the public and the hurtful comments under their breaths. I want to be where I am and not be called disgusting and unrighteous because I happen to like someone of the same sex as mine. I want to be free and be who I am. And in the same vein as Morgan, I will continue to fight for my rights and hope that maybe the next generation would no longer live in despair and see the world I have always wanted to be in. This book made me feel proud of who I am, and I refuse to watch this country leap backward. Morgan proved that gender has nothing to do with your social role, and what you can contribute to humanity.
The funny thing about this piece is that it has more twists and turns than a shopping cart caught in the wind in the parking lot. To commit to this story is to know that it is a heavy read. Some parts could come off easily predictable while the others leave you smarting from the surprise attack. It will seize you from the very start till the end.
What a gift to have a novel about homosexuality of centuries ago as it opens our eyes to the life of these people in the past.
In the book, we can see how Morgan’s father beat him to death whenever he shows femininity, he embarrasses him in front of his sisters by leaving him naked in the corner. And this isn’t far from any other culture from Asian countries. People are still trying to cure others of homosexuality, wherein in India, parents practice corrective rape to convert gays to heterosexuality. The younger generation is committing suicide because the people around them disapprove of their identity. And queers are choosing to live a closeted life by marrying members of the opposite sex. These are just a few cases the LGBTQ+ community needs to face. However, Morgan showed a different way to conquer these adversities. He used his sexuality to be the unidentified protector of the innocent of the West. And made himself “THE GHOST”.
Overall, I loved this book. I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. After the last chapter, a realization hit me – that we should be grateful for those who came before us as they paved the way and made it possible to fight for who we really are. Considering their history, we have come so far in this battle, but I believe that we still have a long way to run.
It’s really hard to believe I’ve never heard of this book, and probably would never have if not for a friend. This is a story of homosexuality, feminine gender roles in society, and gender revelation. It follows the vexed relationship of Morgan with his father who routinely disowned him during his youth. Only the times where the big man could be seen proud of his son was when the boy killed someone. How harsh.
This is an intelligently written novel with great character building. Morgan’s unapologetic intention to live his life to the fullest without caring for what the world thinks of his sexuality is really inspiring. On the heels of his success, he did not become empowered overnight. Just like any other closeted gays out there, he also had to go through a lot of hoops to introduce his true self. He was embarrassed by his father, beaten by him, forced to do something he didn’t like, and assaulted. And these pushed him to commit as one of God’s special people becoming the superhero the West had not known.
As a whole, it was really empowering for me. This is “that” book that, while at school, you’d constantly be thinking of and aching to read the soonest. It evokes a lot of emotions from me – while it shows a silver lining for humanity, it is also depressing in some aspects.
It has been ages since I stayed up late reading a book. Compared to the first year I invested in novels, it’s been a while since I propped my eyes open just to keep going. This book had me up until 4 AM wanting to know why a little boy who wanted to be a girl became the best gunfighter and superhero of the West. From that alone, I was intrigued. I was throwing out this "Who are you, REALLY?" multiple times. The family relationships were raw, the friendship dynamics were really well done, and the themes were relevant. It’s an interesting capsule of its time, whereas M Missy’s Tombstone scrutinizes the nuances of gender identity at the height of the closet. Set against the 1860s and 70s, the story follows the life of Morgan McCoy III.
This irresistible coming-of-age book that tackles a gay’s journey from his childhood to adulthood is a required reading for everyone. It is relatable to LGBTQ+ as they empathize with Morgan who’s still trying to define himself and all of his edges. He learned to be unapologetic and unafraid of wanting to be who he is. And also, this is an eye-opener for those on the opposite side of the coin. M Missy, with this story, advocates that being straight isn’t the default. And coming out is a personal choice and one’s right that no one should take away from anyone.
If you're looking for a book to read. Pick this one up and warm up your heart.
As you may have read this book, it is unknown to me what era you are living in. Is it the period where society completely accepted the LGBTQ community or the other way around? I am a young woman of 22, and during the time I admitted my true identity was when it was still considered shocking, by the mainstream public, to be gay. People look at me with disgust. My family hardly even looks me in the eye. It was a very depressing time in my life. So, I can relate with Morgan most of the time. I can feel his confusion, he arouses the feelings and emotions I had when I was young – it was as if I was reading my own life story. This book hit me… really hard.
Tombstone follows the story of Morgan, a gay man in the early 1860s, as he explores his gender identity and gender expression. His innocence as a child made him too naïve. He has let his father’s expectations overshadow him. But he has used this experience to be the boy-girl he is now.
The linear narrative offered a sense of relatability to the audience. I admired this factor and it benefited me on a personal level. I felt stronger and better for having a steady, solid character development as it made me complete its pages at a fast pace.
To be honest, I am not exactly predestined to make profound statements here. Because in comparison to the main character, I was born in a quite accepting society. Treatment against LGBTQ is progressing and the acknowledgment for their rights grew globally. The younger generation is more open-minded to these issues. For that reason, I was grateful to be raised in this period. Over and above, I’m heterosexual. Granting that, what do I love about this book? Why can I identify with Morgan? Well, I guess it's his individuality, or maybe his unique personality, his attitude of swimming against the tide, and him fighting the odds despite knowing that he’s the one at the disadvantage in the first place. What he owns is profoundly moral – the human core that has nothing to do with gender, age, place, or time. And clearly not with one’s sexual orientation. He is for who he is, regardless of the diversity.
“Tombstone: The Superhero of the West” is brazen and bold. I don’t know why this is underrated, but it will surely take the world by storm! It is a charming and daring coming-of-age story with Morgan Michael McCoy III as the protagonist that I am not likely to forget. It has effortlessly earned a spot among my best reads.
This book is not meant to be a pretty story nor pleasant to the eyes. It says what it says and it will call out the bad behaviors needed to be addressed. Aside from themes of homosexuality that deal with the struggles of being part of the LGBTQ, you can also see the discrimination against females in the past years–another issue that we still have to fight for to this day. It is unreal that we have come so far, humans have run into decades and even periods, yet we still have so much inequality going on in this world. Women have no power against men. And this was proved by Morgan’s family as Mrs. McCoy was unable to protect her son against Mr. McCoy’s violence. She couldn’t stop him because if she did, she would only dig for her own grave. The odds are always stacked against us, women.
I highly recommend this book to everyone, particularly to those who categorize themselves as feminists. Because we want to start approaching this matter to open the eyes of the public to the challenges and adversities that the minority have to face. We need to listen to the voiceless and take the lead because if not, the likes of a powerless Mrs. McCoy would just multiply. And I think that’s one of the messages this book has to offer.
“I did not like boys, and I guess I wanted to be a girl.”
I call this a classic for a reason. It is an intriguing read from beginning to end, and it is an absolute miracle that this came out at the perfect time when sexual identity is one of the most prevalent issues of this era. It would open our eyes and give us different views and perspectives regarding this matter.
M Missy writes a tight story, with great pacing, where even the minor characters are interesting and shine in their own spotlight. It's rare for an author to accomplish all that. Your heart will be filled with the remembered joy of holding the book where this fascinating account of Morgan Michael McCoy was discussed. He who is shamelessly unapologetic about who he is, all that he feels, and his own desires. He embodied the traits I love and seek not only in protagonists but in humans too. He has learned to embrace his true self. And he would take you to yours. It was unexpectedly worth it after all.
After reading this, I feel once again thankful that I live in the period and in a country where people have equal rights despite their gender. I suspect anyone who has read this book would feel the same.
I bet that you will love it, and even if you don't, it's highly unlikely that you will find something else quite like it.
Tombstone is a bewildering novel. The tension builds slowly in the first half until the suspense is too much to bear. The author has her way of making her readers crave for more. I love the character dynamics and the way the characters develop in the latter part of the book. One of the scenarios I love here was when Morgan felt very happy and pleased every time Jenny would dress him up as a girl. Although he has to submit to her by obeying all of her commands, it is only at that time that he was able to feel the real Morgan.
Another thing that really struck me throughout this book was the complex web of discovery through his gender identity. He had to go through loops and holes just to know and tell who he really is. And I admired him for putting it into use by doing good deeds and gaining the name, the superhero of the West.
I loved this book and can’t believe I hadn’t read this one until now. Man, it was worth waiting for. It was the engrossing read I’m looking for after a bunch of cliché books.
How come reading this book somehow felt depressing and homely at the same time?
Here’s the thing, this is the very first book I’ve read after several years. I remember finishing it and thinking how did everything from the past look the same in the present as if the world has not gone through tremendous change. It was sad and heartbreaking that people had to experience discrimination because of their gender. Why does society have the say for what men and women should and should not do? Why do these stereotypes lift one but bury the other? In this book, Morgan’s life story answered these lingering questions in our minds.
M Missy crafted an amazing sense of time and place here that you are completely drawn to in the 1860s at the small town in Pennsylvania. I kept holding my breath and wanting to skip pages for two reasons — one is because I couldn’t wait for the next chapter to be unveiled, and the second is because I can’t bear to see the violence Morgan has to experience in the hands of his father. I was caught up in the character’s fate.
This book just has a place in my heart nothing else could.
LGBTQ literature is something I realized I'm unfortunately underexposed to. And so, I was able to find solace in this book where it is something like a historical relic; a museum piece of sorts that illustrates the age-old era where the gay rights movement had secretly happened. I believe that everyone should read this as this piece of literature contributes to our understanding of the day.
The book was quite long. But one of the most touching things about this very moving book is seeing our main protagonist—a closeted, confused boy who has finally embraced who he really is, and had used his struggles and childhood affliction to be “The Superhero of the West”. Plotwise, it was not for anyone who seeks a light read. The dialogue-heavy chapters and the episodic plot make a powerful story that every bookworm would love to know about. The ending is neat and the characterization elicits all the emotion from the readers. The novel is definitely a must-read for all.
The Superhero of the West talks about how Morgan McCoy had hidden his identity despite helping thousands of lives. He became the protector of the powerless, and the voice of the helpless, yet his existence is unknown. How come? Well, it’s his story to tell.
I praise the author for crafting a book of resiliency and overcoming hardships while everybody around the protagonist is betting on his fiasco. I'm just glad that I had the privilege to even have this masterpiece in my hands. I just wish that I had it earlier. Nonetheless, I’m more than happy to meet Morgan. And although times may have changed a lot, where society has been starting to accept people of diverse sexual orientation, Tombstone is still just as resonant and relevant today. It will continue as a staple in LGBTQ literature for years, decades, and centuries to come.