Calamity

A Novel

By: Libbie Hawker

Narrated by: Jackie Zebrowski

Length: 21 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's Summary

Her name is synonymous with the West. Her celebrity has spread to the East Coast and California, traveling down the newly laid railroads and along the telegraph wire.  

But breathless tales of Calamity Jane bear little resemblance to the truth. As she senses death coming closer, the legendary hellcat longs to set the record straight - to reveal her life story at last, unclouded by legend, every sin and failing laid bare. Only then can she hope to rest in peace.  

In a Deadwood saloon, she finds a writer willing to hear her out and recount the truth to a public hungry for more tales of Calamity Jane....

So begins Libbie Hawker’s expansive biographical novel, an intimate portrait of one of the best-known yet least-understood women of the American frontier. The international best-selling author of The Ragged Edge of Night takes the listener on a heart-rending journey through a landscape lost to time, as seen through the eyes of one outcast woman. Calamity is a haunting meditation on hardship, unrequited love, and the stark, affecting beauty of the American West.

©2019 Libbie Hawker (P)2019 Running Rabbit Press LLC

Once in awhile you find a 5 star!

I love audio books, I very seldom write a review, maybe three times since 2013, and over 300 audio books from audible.I hesitate to be that person (like in Hollywood) who tells you how to think, how to feel and what you should do, or you are a bad person. Because you can play dress up and act like an imaginary person doesn't qualify you to make me feel bad if i don't agree with you. I'm saying if you don't like the book we could still be friends and respect each other. With that being said. My first concern was the length, 21 hours on Calamity Jane, I had my doubts,I also was not familiar with the author or narrator. I bought the book. Every so often you find a book that to you, the author, story, and narrator just mesh. For me this book combines all these things and made for a very pleasurable experience. So, if you buy the book and don't like it, you're not a good person. JUST KIDDING:)

Hands down the best book

There is know way this book could of been better. Libbie Hawker know draw a picture with words. Jackie Zebrowski did a out standing job on the narrating of the story . I know this is one book I will listen to many more times.

Great book with fantastic narration

Really engrossing book, I hadn't read any of her work before, but I love Libbie Hawker's style. But for me, the narration really took this to the next level. Really fantastic, I burned through this in a single weekend!

amazing narrator!

Ugh, this is such a good book. I cried and cried. Jackie Zebrowski kills it; I hope she narrates more!

Wonderfully narrated!

This is already a beautiful, vividly written novel but the narration brings it to a whole new level! It’s hard to believe this is an indie published and produced book. Really well done. Very exciting and interesting listen!

Calamity perfectly captured

This book is the perfect tribute to the tough and tender spirit of both Calamity Jane and the cultivators of the wild west. The author did an amazing job capturing the essence of a woman who was a true trailblazer and the narrator was exceptional.

Long, but worth it.

I loved this book! The narration was amazing, so much character and realistic. Calamity Jane is a known name in the west, but do you know the real story? Not all the fantastical, made up versions. But the real story? This starts at her beginnings and takes you through her whole, amazing, yet sad life. A life of love and loss. A life of stubborness, and adventure. Calamity Jane was a kind soul who lived through so many hardships. And you'll fall in love with her grit and humour. Albeit a bit frustrated with her at times for the hard choices she made.Take the time to listen to this beautifully written, authentically narrated book. Another win by Libbie Hawker and Jackie Zebrowski.

A little too long, but great first half

I lost interest when Bill died. However, it got interesting again with Jesse’s birth and travels.

Wild West from a female perspective

I love historical fiction... especially adventurous, wild-west style. This book is all that and more... it satisfied my craving for adventure, travel, the West, sex without all the unnecessary lurid details, and some sweet unrequited love... this book was a great escape for me during this time of COVID19 social distancing. The narrator was absolutely PERFECT.

Excellent!

I love this book! It was difficult to hear and thus share the pain in Calamity’s life. Being told in the first person as Calamity herself adds to the storytelling with this tale. Her unprecedented guilt Tormented her all her life. I love the fact that Libbie Hawker uses the facts, any changes she makes she reveals in her authors notes. Libbie Hawker is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and Jackie Zebrowski makes an award worthy performance!