Esther's Pillow a Novel

A little bit of THE OX-BOW INCIDENT, a little bit of A SCARLET LETTER..and even a little bit of THE LOTTERY--this first novel by Marlin Fitzawater occasionally conjurs up characters and moments that aren't exactly original, but still, this is a very compelling book. And for anyone who has been to North Central Kansas--hell, for anyone who has NOT been to NCK--this is a perfect description of the world of Post-Rock. And good for him for doing all this research! Ol' Marlin must have some time on his hands!

As a resident of a small town near the setting of the story, it was very moving to read about something that really happened and shaped the future in this area. Not only is Marlin an excellent writer, but as i found out at a local booksigning, he is also very friendly. Any fan of non-fiction and fiction alike should find a copy of this book.

I can only say that this book was very good--for a novel. I read very little fiction since truth is always stranger--and more interesting and amazing--than fition. But I bought this book because it is based on a true story of a small town's reaction to a beautiful independent-thinking woman in the early 1900s. Shame on the townspeople! Fitzwater is a very good writer and I hope he has more ideas for books and that this wasn't just a fluke because of his father's deathbed statements. Recommended to all readers of non-fiction and contemporary American history.

A compelling story made even more so because it's based on a personal story. Well paced...captures accurately the era and culture of the time. Fascinating tale, written elegantly.

A wonderful, period novel taking place in a tiny, backwater town in Kansas at the turn of the Twentieth Century. A newly-graduated girl returns home to take up the position of teacher. Due to her unique situation of having attended college and having therefore been exposed to "modern ideas," she is the victim of jealousy, fear, and gossip that results in a group of the leading male citizens waylaying her and applying tar and feathers in hopes of making her turn tail and run. Instead, she faces them, and the true instigators --the women of the town. A compelling story of courage and integrity. Also let's you get a glimpse of religious thinking gone amuck. Well-written, with clearly defined characters and true-feeling delimias.