Spring Warren breaks onto the literary scene with a remarkable debut novel. This often comic picaresque follows Edward Turrentine Bayard III, who deserts his upper-class family and moves to Nebraska. Soon he finds trouble-and a Pinkerton agent following his every move. "... a pitch-perfect narrator and a smorgasboard of sensory detail."-Jodi Picoult
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"I did not like the main character at first - much too wimpy and effeminate to be the hero in a Western - but he grew on me as the story progressed. I liked the story overall - an easy read, and entertaining. "
— Leslie (4 out of 5 stars)
“A novel of extraordinary wit and imagination, covering immense geographical, historical, and emotional ground. Full of twists and turns, verve, and vinegar…A remarkable debut.”
— Karen Joy Fowler, New York Times bestselling author“An entertaining romp through the American 1870s.”
— Publishers Weekly“A sweeping saga of the western frontier in the 1870s, filled with colorful characters…Turpentine is certainly an endearing literary creation, combining the wide-eyed innocence and crafty survivor’s instincts of a Huck Finn…Warren knows how to spin a tale. There is considerable excitement, humor, and occasionally pathos in this enjoyable debut.”
— Booklist" Interesting, kind of convoluted and rambling. But best (only) western I've recently read. "
— Cindy, 2/19/2014" Fun read with the landscape as a character which I really enjoyed.I also enjoyed the storyline and the characters we met. "
— Drredman, 2/16/2014" fun adventure "
— Jennifer, 1/17/2014" A fun romp in the 19th century old west...very entertaining. "
— Rob, 1/10/2014" I found the main character whiny and the tale itself to be very choppy. It seemed as though she wrote three stories and threw them together. There were compellng parts, but not worth the time I spent reading it altogether. "
— Kristin, 12/14/2013" My favorite novel of 2007. A rollicking, funny, serious sprawling American epic.. Fantastic characters, tight pacing, elegant rendering of times and places. "
— Virginia, 9/28/2013" I loved this book. Easy to read, the story flows nicely. The main character developes a sense of who he is. "
— Jerrilynn, 2/16/2013" Entertaining story about the trials and adventures of a young man sent west to regain his health. It's a good story and I bet Spring Warren's next one will be even better. "
— Jo, 1/25/2013" Turpentine was a very refreshing read. The language took me back to the images of the Deadwood TV series. This book is a wester, pioneer story, love story, drama, and just plain fun. "
— Marc, 8/2/2012" I did not like the main character at first - much too wimpy and effeminate to be the hero in a Western - but he grew on me as the story progressed. I liked the story overall - an easy read, and entertaining. "
— Leslie, 7/22/2012" Here is another book that had a ton of research behind it. I felt as if I were on the Prarie. Very detailed and brilliantly written. "
— Sheri, 3/13/2012" I really liked this one too... "
— Pam, 10/23/2011" One of the best books I read this year. After I read it I wrote the author to say thanks - and insist she write some more. "
— Charlotte, 10/13/2011" This is a pretty funny book. The lead character definitely grew on me. "
— Becky, 10/5/2011" This book was so much fun! Hilarious! "
— Jill, 8/26/2011" It's classififed as a western, mostly because of the era, but that's about it. Wasn't an awful read, but it wasn't something I'd suggest either. "
— Marc, 2/28/2011" Here is another book that had a ton of research behind it. I felt as if I were on the Prarie. Very detailed and brilliantly written. "
— Sheri, 1/13/2011" My favorite novel of 2007. A rollicking, funny, serious sprawling American epic.. Fantastic characters, tight pacing, elegant rendering of times and places. "
— Virginia, 9/22/2010" A fun romp in the 19th century old west...very entertaining. "
— Rob, 3/31/2010" Interesting, kind of convoluted and rambling. But best (only) western I've recently read. "
— Cindy, 9/12/2009" Fun read with the landscape as a character which I really enjoyed.I also enjoyed the storyline and the characters we met. "
— Drredman, 11/16/2008" It's classififed as a western, mostly because of the era, but that's about it. Wasn't an awful read, but it wasn't something I'd suggest either. "
— Marc, 11/16/2008" One of the best books I read this year. After I read it I wrote the author to say thanks - and insist she write some more. "
— Charlotte, 11/10/2008" This book was so much fun! Hilarious! "
— Jill, 9/4/2008" I loved this book. Easy to read, the story flows nicely. The main character developes a sense of who he is. "
— Jerrilynn, 8/27/2008Spring Warren is the author of the novel Turpentine, a bronze medalist for the 2007 ForeWord magazine Book of the Year Award and a San Francisco Chronicle Notable Book of 2007. When she began her career in writing, she was a working as a short order cook, selling worms and maple bars to campers, and teaching swimming lessons in the shadow of Devil’s Tower. Warren now lives in Davis, California.
Tom Stechschulte (1948–2021) was an acclaimed narrator and winner of the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration. He had been a college athlete and business major when a friend dared him to audition for a play. He got the part and traded the locker room for the dressing room, eventually taking him to New York City and to recording audiobooks.