The Whip: Inspired by the story of Charley Parkhurst

By: Karen Kondazian

Narrated by: Robin Weigert

• Best Western, 2013 International Book Awards
• 2013 National Indie Excellence Awards winner, Western fiction category
• Gold Prize in Historical Fiction & Best Western Fiction - 2013 Global Ebook Awards
• Award-Winner in the 'Fiction: Historical' category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards

The Whip is a multi-award winning novel inspired by the true story of Charlotte "Charley" Parkhurst (1812-1879) who lived most of her extraordinary life as a man in the Old West.

As a young woman in Rhode Island, she fell in love with a runaway slave and had his child. He was lynched, her baby killed. The destruction of her family drove her west to California, dressed as a man, to track the killer.

Charley became a renowned stagecoach driver for Wells Fargo. She killed a famous outlaw, had a secret love affair, and lived with a housekeeper who, unaware of her true sex, fell in love with her.

Charley was the first known woman to vote in America in 1868 (as a man). Her grave lies in Watsonville, California.

"I would have done that," Ms. Kondazian said in a telephone interview. "I would have probably put on men’s clothes, to be free like a man." (New York Times interview of Karen Kondazian - from “Overlooked No More: Charley Parkhurst, Gold Rush Legend With a Hidden Identity”, by Tim Arango, December 5, 2018)

©2012 Karen Kondazian (P)2012 Karen Kondazian

Sad it's over!

This was a book for book group. I probably wouldn't have read it otherwise, but I'm so glad that I did. It reminded me how strong women can be and how determination and mind power can get you through anything. I cried when I finished.

Great Subject for Historical Fiction - Reccomend

What a fantastic and interesting subject. It was a treat to be presented with the story of Charlie Pankhurst. Great performance.

a work of art

I have read many novels,but in 50 yrs no novels has kept my attention as this one has ! story line was absolutely fantastic, never have I wanted to reach into a story and hurt someone as I have in this, it was so real ! that I actually hurt for the person ! as for the author, please write more stories !

Very Entertaining

I loved this saga of a strong woman. Even more so because it was based on a true story. This is an amazing read.

Too too sad for me to finish, so a personal review

Narrator is great, and the story may be great -- I made it about halfway through but the violence is so sad and horrible that I could not finish the book. I can handle some violence, and can take sadness in books, but this one was too much. The writer is good, so if you can handle it, great.