The Slow Reign of Calamity Jane

Elizabeth St Jacques is the author of Dance of Light and Around the Tree
of Light.

Gillian Robinson used written and oral stories and archival photos to
create this poetic portrait of Calamity Jane. The book covers Jane’s
childhood; life with her callous husband, Wild Bill Hickock, who
deserted her before the birth of their daughter, whom Jane was forced to
give to strangers; Jane’s days of drinking, riding, and killing in
order to survive; and her death at 50. The author also shows us the
other side of this woman—the loving mother; caring, the devoted
friend; nurse to victims of a smallpox epidemic. This well-structured,
colorfully written portrait is filled with powerful images and emotional
intensity. However, the dialogue lacks personality and is too
sophisticated to be really convincing. Nevertheless, this is an
excellent study of a woman who continues to capture imaginations.