The Whip: Inspired by the story of Charley Parkhurst

By: Karen Kondazian

Narrated by: Robin Weigert

Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

• 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

NO EASY FRIEND

IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS PAY CASH
This is more Historical and Literary, than a Western. While it is probably pretty close to true, it is extremely sad. It starts out sad, it's sad in the middle and it ends sad. Yet it is almost required reading. The things people have to go through when they are not treated as equals. Narrator is excellent.
THANKS FOR THE TERRIFYING COACH RIDE AND ALMOST GETTING ME BEAT UP IN THE BAR. I guess their is some levity.

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.

MUST LISTEN

Where does The Whip rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This by far, is my favorite. It's not only true, but an exciting story. Robin Weigert is brilliant. The only actress who could have narrated this book, Robin is very, very brilliant. Robin is incredibly convincing with each character and each characters voices. I wish to see this in a movie but only if Robin plays Charlie Parkhurst.

What did you like best about this story?

It was based on a true story. To her ownself she was true. From not allowing the color of a man's skin or his station enter her decision to fall for the man she loved.

What does Robin Weigert bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Robin does each voice brilliantly. Not just good but committed to a level that one usually doesn't get to experience. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. The ONLY actress who could have performed these characters so well. Robin hits a level of excellence very much appreciated by this listener.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Several. When Tonia acts on her impulse to even the score for Charlie. When Charlie makes her decision to just, change after being kicked by the horse. When Charlie's old friend returns. Also, when Sugar Foot's identity was revealed to her.

Any additional comments?

I appreciated the obituaries at the end. The acknowledgement for this brave woman who was unofficially "the Whip" of the West. Also to know that she was probably the first woman to vote in the United States. I would like to see this and Charlie Parkhurst honored at the Western Museum in Los Angeles. The have honored the buffalo girls but this story is unique and important.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Wonderful story...wonderful performance. I didn't want it to end. The story of Charlie Parkhurst was one that I had not heard of before. The book was a wonderful history lesson embellished by a very creative author. Excellent performance by Robin Weigert.

Incredible story, incredible performance

What made the experience of listening to The Whip the most enjoyable?

The narrator, Robin Weigert, did a wonderful job developing her characters, with individual voices for each one. Not only did she carefully choose her voices, she was consistent, never faltered, and the children voices aged appropriately. Not only is the narrator excellent, the story was well-written, and the topic was very interesting.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The main character carried the story magnificently.

What about Robin Weigert’s performance did you like?

She inhabits her characters faultlessly. She is so versatile... she believeable portrayed young children, black men, crusty stagecoach drivers, an Italian woman, and a cockney bandit. Each was fantastic.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes!

Any additional comments?

This collaboration of author, narrator, and director created a believable, engaging audiobook. I listen to alot of them, and this one is one of the few which I really couldn't wait to get back into, whenever I had to stop listening.

A great narrator

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was like listening to a play ! The narrator did a fantastic job of creating characters with her voice.

Would you recommend The Whip to your friends? Why or why not?

I found some of the plot to be predicable, but the unique character made it an interesting story. Not sure if this would be of interest to everyone. It's not quite a Western, not quite a historical drama, not quite a romance, although there are elements of all of these genres.

Have you listened to any of Robin Weigert’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I believe this her only audio performance. I would definitely listen to others.

Was The Whip worth the listening time?

Yes.

Not for Non-Fictions Readers

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator was irritating and shrill. It reminded me of one of the worst books I've downloaded (The Room) with children voices so high and loud I had to adjust audio settings. The narrator was so annoying I could not listen at bed-time and had to be quick on the volume control while in the car.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I'm a fan of historic docu-dramas like "Roots," "The Winds of War," and "Of Captains and Kings, " but this book was just hokey. Unbelievable dialog and circumstances. Overly dramatic, non-relavent, romantic stuff.

Any additional comments?

There was a spark of interest when some California history was cited. But the book degraded back to a pulp, romance novel.

Entertaining Historical Fiction

I love reading about this time period and found the story engaging. I also thought the narrator did a really great job.

Captivating!

Robin Weigert’s narration & multiple character dialects makes this book literally come alive! I’d love to see it made into a movie!! What I really wondered is how much of the book’s story was fact vs fiction: especially regarding the boy Charley grew up with at the orphanage—there were some things that were too far out to believe could happen to one person, in one lifetime! Wild and too often tragic. It sounded like many of her life secrets died with her. I’m still craving to know the truth, the whole truth about what happened! Thank you for writing this book Karen Kondazian:)

Great story. Great performance.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I thoroughly enjoyed this and have recommended it to a friend in a book club. The performance was superb and the story was intriguing.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Obviously, Charlotte, right as she decided to become Charley. This story is a great deal of supposition based on fact, but it was so interesting, that I wish it had ALL been true. I live in Santa Cruz County and travel daily on the roads that Charley road on. S/he has become a personal hero/ine to me.

What about Robin Weigert’s performance did you like?

Robin seemed to effortlessly juggle 3 personas back and forth in the same scenes with different dialects and different accents. Her voice even demonstrated the characters as they aged throughout the years.

If you could rename The Whip: Inspired by the story of Charley Parkhurst, what would you call it?

One-eyed Charley; Truth or Dare

Any additional comments?

Waiting for the screenplay to be picked up by Amazon, Netflix, HBO or Comcast. Come on folks, get with the program!