The Sharp Kid

by David Vining

1880s Missouri is a time of gangs and civilization, finding a way towards modernity through the old scars of the Civil War. 16 year old Cal Braden joins his absent father on a journey of train robbing with the promise of a new life further West in San Francisco. But promises are cheap, as cheap as iron, and it's a question of whether they'll ever be able to get out of the life of criminality they've decided to take up.

Hardcover

Published October 26, 2021

About the author

I am a fiction writer living in the Carolinas.

Writing is a passion of mine, and I'll never stop. I'm always striving to tell another story that speaks to me in new and interesting ways, and my milieu seems to have becomes historical fiction with a fantasy bent.

I love the feeling of being dropped into a lived-in world with its own rules and following a character who has to navigate them. That can be the far flung future like a Gene Wolfe novel or the distant, forgotten past like a Conan adventure from Robert E. Howard. That can even be a biography of a real man long since dead like James Madison. In fact, it was through the reading of Irving Brant's six-volume biography of Madison that I discovered The Battle of Lake Erie, the small corner of the War of 1812 that I used as the basis for my first published novel.

It was another biography of another president, one about George Washington, that led me to discover the real-life tale of America's first president where he almost died on a mission for the Virginia colonial governor at 21 years old before the French and Indian War. It took me a while to figure out that I needed to add a monster into the action to give it that extra oomph I needed to actually write about it, though.

I continue to write where I feel like going, from historical fiction to historical fantasy to horror to even a spy thriller. I like all kinds of stories, and I feel no real need to limit my own output into just one kind. Even reading Shusaku Endo gives me ideas of stories to tell in Shogunate Japan.

So, follow me on some adventures through time, bending the rules of reality, and always with a clear-eyed focus on the people we use as vessels into these worlds.

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years back I read several works by David Vining. A number of collections of stories and a couple of novels. This is his latest offering. It took me some time to get started after I picked this up, but once I did, I could hardly put it down. It is a very melancholy story. It is in a classic Western style but has a dystopian feel. The description of the book is:

“1880s Missouri is a time of gangs and civilization, finding a way towards modernity through the old scars of the Civil War. 16 year old Cal Braden joins his absent father on a journey of train robbing with the promise of a new life further West in San Francisco. But promises are cheap, as cheap as iron, and it's a question of whether they'll ever be able to get out of the life of criminality they've decided to take up.”

The story in many ways made me thing back on the movie, Unforgiven, starring and directed by Clint Eastwood. It was a very atypical western and this is an atypical western story. One part of the movie has stayed with me for years:

““Well,” the Schofield Kid says toward the end, “I guess they have it coming” — meaning the bad guys, whoever they are this time. “We all have it coming, Kid,” Will Munny says, riding off to face a fate of his own.”

I would not recommend this book for younger readers, tweens and even some teens. But it is a book that could serve for great discussion among young adults and even among adult friends. A Catholic priest makes a brief appearance. And his role drastically changed where I though the story was going.

This story is a western written true. Life was not easy, being a criminal was not easy. And some addictions once they have a hold of you will take everything you have. Young Cal fallows his father. And soon his whole world is turned upside down. His moral compass is warped. He struggles with what he has done, and who he is becoming. He desires to end the cycle but gets sucked into something else.

Overall it is a sad tragic tale. But I believe one we can learn from. Father Giorgio’s appearance and interactions redeem much. If you enjoy Western’s and want one with a different twist this book is for you. If you just want a good book to read and maybe make you think, I assure you this book if for you. I cannot say I was blessed or even greatly enjoyed the story, but I did really appreciate it. Vining is coming into his own as a writer, his craft and skill growing, and this latest book is well written.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2022 Catholic Reading Plan!

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had very few expectations going into this novel and was rewarded with what felt like an authentic capturing of the time period. The characters had distinct stories, backgrounds and personalities. It was a quick easy read, and comes recommended for anyone looking for an interesting peek into the old west.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the storyline very much

[Mark Bending · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the Goodreads giveaway!

I enjoyed reading this kindle edition of The Sharp Kid.
What a great story of the old west.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A western set in Missouri. Cal, a 16 yr old boy, who lives on a dairy farm with his ma ma, pa, & sister Ellen. One day a man shows up at his door who looks just like him. Cort tells Cal he is his real pa & takes him from his present life to a life of danger as an outlaw. Cort takes Cal on a long horseback riding journey to Springfield, MO. Cal gets his first taste of robbing when him & his pa become hungry on their journey. Once they arrive, Cort & Cal meet up with 5 other men to start planning robberies. After the first robbery Cal finds himself labeled as the “Sharp Kid”. I felt like I was right there with Cal watching the story unfold; my mind even followed him & Cort into the brothel. The author’s descriptive words allow you to envision the scenery, sounds, & scents. There are robberies, murders & life lessons to be found in this book. Live a life of crime & you’ll either end up dead or jail. I enjoyed the thrill, mystery, & suspense. I would recommend this short book to everyone.
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