I love historical horror, and I'm so glad I got the chance to finally read Lone Women because it's a great entry to a specific subgenre I love. I've also really enjoyed Victor Lavalle's stuff in the past. I'm kicking myself for taking so long to get this one.

I really enjoyed the richness of the setting and the historical detail. The story was engrossing. Adelaide was a deeply interesting protagonist, and the side characters (the other "lone women" and Sam, the child of one of said women) were just as engaging to read about. The ending was so incredibly satisfying. I really don't like identity as a plot twist (Sam is revealed to be trans to add to the peril and trauma in the final act, and I loved him as trans rep, but I hated that it was revealed as a plot twist), but otherwise I think most of what's going on is really well done and tactfully handled. I also loved that characters got to have interests that felt very true to them and true to history, like The Tenant of Wildfell Hall or true stories about ghost towns.

Fellow fans of historical horror should definitely be checking this one out!

Lone Women is a great blend of historical fiction, horror, and suspense, set in the isolated and dangerous world of the early 1900s Montana. Our main character is a mysterious woman who journeys to Montana to escape a dark family secret. We follow Adelaide’s challenges on the frontier, which are not only physical but deeply psychological and supernatural.

The storytelling is atmospheric and rich with tension. He vividly captures the harsh realities and sense of isolation and danger that marked the lives of lone women homesteaders (a population I never even considered prior to reading this novel), while also weaving in horror elements. The juxtaposition of historical details with supernatural horror works remarkably well, and the suspense builds steadily. The characters are compelling and the author’s exploration of race, and gender was well executed.

The pacing can be questionable at times, with some sections dragging on, which does take away dome enjoyment from the reading experience. There were also some plot elements that felt murky, which would annoy readers who hate open endings and unanswered questions..

I recommend this novel to readers who love atmospheric horror and interesting historical settings.

This book had a great writing style, and I enjoyed learning something new in history. However, the 2nd and 3rd parts felt completely different from the first. When it was focused just on the main character, Adelaide, it was haunting, heartbreaking and I wanted to know more - about her past, her hardships, her trunk. And then the POVs started changing to too many characters and the story just felt disjointed and too much. It wasn't as compelling anymore even if the story provided more issues to think about. This book felt like it tried too hard to be something modern but make it historical fiction.

This book has received numerous accolades, being named a Best Book of the Year by the New York Times Book Review, Time, NPR, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Esquire, Vulture, Paste, Tor.com, Book Riot, Polygon, Chicago Public Library, Kirkus Reviews, and Library Journal. It was also a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize and Locus Award, and longlisted for the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award.

While I wasn’t as captivated by the book as many others, I did appreciate it. The horror/western concept was intriguing, and I was completely immersed in the Montana landscape. I loved the sense of sisterhood among the women homesteading alone, striving to build their lives in such a vast and lonely environment. The mystery surrounding the trunk and its contents was particularly compelling.

The writing was exceptional, and the audiobook narrator, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, truly brought the story to life. The characters and their struggles felt quite authentic.

However, the horror aspect somewhat pulled me out of the story. It’s not that it was unrealistic, but I found myself more interested in the women’s lives, than the horror element.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who appreciates a literary historical fiction story with a horror twist.

Thank you @netgalley and Random House / One World for an eARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Lone Women by Victor LaValle is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that deftly intertwines horror, historical fiction, and psychological exploration. Set in the rugged American West of the early 20th century, the narrative follows Adina, a young woman grappling with her traumatic past as she seeks a fresh start in a harsh and unforgiving landscape.

LaValle’s prose is both lyrical and immersive, drawing readers into the stark beauty of the Montana wilderness. He vividly portrays the challenges faced by women of the era, especially those who dare to defy societal expectations and carve their own paths. Adina is a richly developed character, embodying both resilience and vulnerability as she confronts her fears and the haunting secrets that shadow her journey.

A key strength of Lone Women lies in its exploration of themes such as isolation, identity, and the quest for autonomy. Adina’s journey transcends the physical; it is an emotional odyssey of self-discovery. As she confronts the demons of her past, LaValle delves into the intricate complexities of trauma and its profound impact on our lives and relationships.

The novel introduces elements of horror that add a chilling dimension to the story. The eerie atmosphere and unsettling events heighten the tension, prompting readers to question what is real and what stems from Adina’s troubled psyche. LaValle skillfully balances these elements, crafting a narrative that is both gripping and deeply resonant.

The pacing is expertly crafted, with a steady build-up of suspense that keeps readers engaged throughout. LaValle’s knack for intertwining introspective moments with thrilling plot developments ensures that the story remains compelling from beginning to end.

Lone Women is a powerful and evocative work that showcases Victor LaValle’s remarkable storytelling ability. It offers a thought-provoking examination of the human experience, particularly the challenges faced by women in a world that often seeks to silence their voices. This novel is essential reading for anyone who appreciates a richly layered narrative that combines historical depth with elements of horror and psychological insight. LaValle has crafted a haunting tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

I feel like I have to start saying that this was a kind of horror I’ve never read before. Set in the early 20th century, the story follows a black woman who moves west to claim land under the Homestead Act, only to encounter supernatural forces that challenge her survival and sanity. The authors writing is rich and atmospheric, capturing both the harsh realities of frontier life and the eerie tension of the supernatural. The protagonist’s journey is compelling, and the novel’s exploration of race, trauma, and resilience adds depth to the narrative. The chest! The damn chest! Lol

Victor LaValle knocked it out the park with this one. The horror elements were incredible. I did not expect the fantasy twist, but I was absolutely here for it. Adelaide is a force to be reckoned with especially as a single Black woman trying to make it on her own in the isolated wilderness,.

I really loved this book. It reminded me of reading Little House on the Prairie and Sarah Plain and Tall as a kid since I don't often read stories involving homesteading or that time period. I loved The Ballad of Black Tom so I knew I needed to check this out as soon as I saw it.
While I definitely loved this book my only real complaint is that it almost didn't need the creature. The story was tense and scary enough without the supernatural element which is a wild thing for me to think as a fan of monsters and horror. But either way I found that part of the story intriguing and heartfelt. I'm very glad my library has added this to the collection and I definitely have recommended it to patrons.

I love Victor LaValle's works, and this piece was suitably bizarre and his lane, no one else's. I love the intersection of historical fiction, feminism, and the occult, and this was *chef's kiss* right there.

The summary is Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk wherever she goes. It’s locked at all times. Because when the trunk opens people around Adelaide start to disappear. The year is 1915 and Adelaide is in trouble. Her secret sun has killed her parents, forcing her to flee California in a hellfire rush and make her way to Montana as a homesteader. Dragging the trunk with her at every stop.

I thought that this book would be us following Adelaide as she got from California to Montana; but most of the book was her in Montana- so if you expect a book with her travels, this isn’t it.


This was very well written. I loved Adelaide, I loved all the characters. This book opened with a very strong first chapter that really set the scene and tone. I love the Western narrative and the fact that this is about an African American woman who is setting up a place for herself. I’m upset for sitting on this for months, I should have read this sooner. I am so glad I got around to this one.

This is a short one- 285 pages- and it’s short chapters and a bit fast paced, or at least feels very fast paced because of the short chapters. Definitely recommend.

Exploration isn’t always about running toward something—at times, it’s about running away from something else. Lone Women uses the trappings of the American West, a complicated, enduring cultural symbol of a supposedly untouched frontier, to delve into the human tendency to try to escape the past. It follows Adelaide Henry, a Black woman who leaves her family's California farm in 1915 under violent circumstances and lugs a mysterious trunk to Montana, where the U.S. government is offering free land to those who homestead there. The trunk’s undisclosed, possibly supernatural contents disturb Adelaide, and seem directly related to what she’s trying to leave behind. Over the course of the book, we see her failed attempt to shut that part of her past away as she tries to build a life in the brutal landscape of the Great Plains, a place that can destroy anyone who’s unprepared or without friends—or be a refuge for those looking to build a new home with space for the love, and suffering, that comes with living.
https://www.theatlantic.com/books/archive/2024/05/exploration-books-ocean-space/678304/

I loved this novel. I was hooked immediately by Adelaide’s mysterious trunk and the veil she covered her past with. I enjoy an unreliable narrator and I really liked the omniscient parts that let us see into everyone’s heads. The pacing was great and I liked the slow way LaValle revealed Elizabeth/the creature. Perfect western supernatural horror

Lone Women is a haunting horror novel that deals with social and familial difficulties in an intriguing way. Adelaide travels to Montana as a homesteader, dragging a large trunk behind her; one that she will not allow anyone to open. Her experiences and interactions in the harsh landscape lead to unexpected events. This was a quick and enjoyable read.

I will be honest, this one sat in my TBR pile for a while. I don't know whether I was intimidated by it or what, but it took me a bit to pick it up. But wow, I am so glad I did.

A gorgeous blend of historical fiction and thriller bordering on horror, this is unlike any book I have ever read. What is inside the mysterious steamer trunk begins as the most important literal part of the plot, but it becomes so much more as the pages turn. I was both moved and terrified by this book, and that is mostly due to to LaValle's stunning prose.

It's 1915. Adelaide Henry finds herself in trouble after her parents are killed. She aims to be a homesteader, dragging a massive locked trunk wherever she goes. Along the way, she runs into very human monsters.

When I originally requested the book, the premise sounded interesting. Now that I finally had a chance to read it, it turns out that this book was not really for me. Although I enjoyed the parts of the female main character's journey, the obsession with the trunk and the aftermath of that threw me off. More than likely if that or the speculative fiction wasn't apart of it, I probably would have enjoyed it much more, since I'm a lover of historical fiction works.

✨ Review ✨ Lone Women by Victor LaValle

Thanks to Random House, One World and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

This book has been HAUNTING my shelf for the last year, just waiting to be picked up, so it's a relief to finally read it 😂

Adelaide flees from an all-Black settlement in Southern California by boat and then train to settle on a homestead in Montana. What exactly she's fleeing and what she's bringing with her remains a mystery revealed bit by bit throughout the book. As she sets up her home in the very remote Montana wilderness, it's clear that she's in sort of over her head. And yet, a sense of mystery looms over it all.

I loved the setting of this book, and that it shows us some of the diversity of who was homesteading in these remote parts. Set miles away from neighbors and the remote town (where this weird white paternal sets up an opera house with gas lighting (that of course leaks) and an organ, and really showcases the range of economic situations), Adelaide finds people she can relate to -- a group of women off on their own.

While it does mention indigenous peoples in several places in the book, I do think it might have better grappled with how homesteading / removal "opened" up this land for settlement, but I did appreciate that some of the cast of characters was fairly diverse. I think LaValle masterly drew from scholarly literature to create this setting and show us this diversity.

The horror element of this book loomed as well, keeping me engaged as I wanted to reveal the layers within. I do think that at the end of the book (maybe the last 20%) that TOO many things were happening and all of these storylines didn't feel entirely fleshed out and resolved. I read one review that said this felt a bit like a novella, and in this "loose ends" kind of way, that struck true to me. Overall, I really enjoyed it but wished for a bit more development and resolution of some of these things (can't list them here for spoilers.)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical fiction + horror
Setting: rural Montana
Pub Date: 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ finding Black voices in unexpected places in the past
⭕️ rural settings
⭕️ race/gender conflict
⭕️ horror mixed with historical fiction
⭕️ great historical research

In the early 20th Century, a Black woman named Adelaide Henry sets out from California to the wilds of Montana. Like many others, she dreams of homesteading a much-hyped paradise. Everywhere she goes, she lugs an enormous steamer trunk…which she sings to as it makes ominous thumping sounds.

Montana turns out to be anything but a paradise. The weather is unimaginably brutal, and the physical labor of setting up a homestead is unrelenting. Worst of all is the crushing loneliness. From practically the moment she sets foot in the shack that came with her deed, neighbors appear--women desperate for a friend, and men equally desperate for female company and possible courtship.
Not all the visitors are benign and they all harbor secrets. There’s a family of grifters, thieves, and murderers, whose innocent-appearing blind children are the most vicious of the lot. A single woman schoolteacher with a clouded past and a child shunned inexplicably by everyone. A lesbian couple, one Black, one Chinese. Adelaide, with her work ethic and essential decency, soon settles into the community. She’s ever anxious to protect her own secret:

What’s in the trunk? And what havoc will it wreak if it gets out?

Gorgeously written, the book alternates between passages of emotional depth and suspense horror. Everyone hides something, and some secrets are more deadly than others. The layered unveiling of those secrets, and the compassion of the central character are handled with exceptional skill.

Highly recommended.

I won't lie, as much as I enjoyed this book, it was a slow read for me. I kept waiting for something to happen while still enjoying the creeping unfolding of Adelaide's dark past. And I spent a lot of the book wanting to know the secret of what Adelaide carries in her steamer trunk. After the reveal, though, I raced to the end, and loved it the whole way.

My favorite part of this book was probably how complex LaValle made all of his characters. No character mentioned was shorted on backstory. Sometimes, I would get to a new chapter and realize it was about a side character I didn't even realize was important (they all were) and Lavalle would spend that chapter building this character up in front of me. Each one mentioned was given a past and the slow explanations throughout of what led to their current motives, good or bad.

I also enjoyed that there were twists throughout, and that the characters that often looked good and honest were our real baddies. The characters were complex and their relationships with each other were twisted and sometimes blackened, rotted things that were interesting to trace throughout the novel.

This is one of my first read of a Lavalle novel (other than his short story) and I can't wait to continue with more! I would recommend to those that enjoy historical fiction with something a little dark and fantastical added in.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC!

This book was not at all what I expected! Though part historical fiction, Lone Women brings an element of horror that is equal parts mystifying and wild. The first few chapters had me VERY curious about what Adelaide was carrying in her trunk. Once it was revealed, I was a bit shocked, and then extremely shocked when more details came to light. The first chapter opens with the death of Adelaide's parents, and leaves us in the dark about her involvement in their deaths. I loved how the backstory slowly unraveled.

On the historical fiction side, I really enjoyed learning about homesteading and how a young single black woman navigated living on her own in a vast Montana plain. The side characters were intriguing, and one prominent couple made me so angry!

This book was very different, and though the last few chapters were pretty out there, I enjoyed the ride and touch of feminism in the final pages.