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Reviews

Awards-for-Website

Kondazian has written a novel about the old West that feels authentic in almost every sweaty detail… Her background  as an actress helps her to convincingly render Charlotte’s transformation.…An engaging and authentic depiction of life in the California Gold Rush–era.
Kirkus Review. Read the full review

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Charley Parkhurst makes for a compelling main character. The Whip is very well researched (I loved all the historical tid-bits about piano legs, cat-hauling, and the stagecoach business itself), and Kondazian’s novel unfolds cinematically; you can almost feel the sun’s rays and smell the horse sweat. A truly fascinating novel of one woman’s determination and grit in the heart of the Old West.

– Reader’s Favorite, Review by Kayti Nika Raet. Read the full review

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It is this secret, its implications and its complications that Karen Kondazian speculates on in her fictional book “The Whip.” In doing so, she humanizes a larger-than-life woman, who concealed her gender, embraced one of the most dangerous professions of the west and became the first woman to vote in the United States. If you like stories about individuals who choose to chart their own destinies this is the book for you.
California State Library review. Read the full review

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Riveting and action propelled. This researched work flows naturally, incorporating historical detail without detracting from the story. True-to-life description and a meticulous depiction of Parkhurst bring this gritty period to a degree of vividness rarely seen. The cinematic style utilizes all the senses; the world in which she survived unimaginable tragedy can be felt as well as seen in the mind’s eye. Witty dialogue, along with an intentional focus on reality, as opposed to excessive dramatization of the Wild West, make this book appropriate for an academic environment, not just mainstream entertainment.
ForeWord Reviews, Review by Julia Ann Charpentier. Read the full review

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Amazing how visually stimulating the audible presentation of a book can be, especially a book as evocative and superbly written as The Whip by Karen Kondazian when professionally narrated by the skillful and impressive Robin Weigert. Both Ms. Kondazian and Ms. Weigert excel magnificently at bringing into vivid presence the historical reality of a truly amazing woman.
Audio Book Review by Joel R. Dennstedt. Read the full review

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What a wonderful book! Brave and beautiful writing…………. A history lesson and a profound understanding of the human heart. Well,all the colors of the rainbow are in this remarkable story………. A tribute to Charley!
– Amazon.com Review by OldAlto – September 29th, 2016  Read the review

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Intriguing Tale You Can’t Put Down
This book, inspired by the real life story of Charlie Parkhurst, reads like a novel, yet you can’t stop thinking that it could actually be Charlie’s story. Kondazian’s descriptive style makes the reader feel they are right in the center of the action. After finishing The Whip, I was left with a sense of loss that we will never really know the truth of Charlie’s story. But her story in The Whip is so real that I let myself be almost-convinced. I loved this book and read it in record time. Kondazian knows how to weave a great story and I do hope she finds another intriguing person to write about soon. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to all my reader friends.
~ Linda Thompson, Host of TheAuthorsShow.com

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Thoughtful and poignant. Incredibly moving story, made more so by being based on a real person. Recommend highly. A genuine gem!
– Amazon.com Review by Sharon McCay – September 27th, 2016  Read the review

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5 Stars. Best book for me in 2014, I had so many Omg moments. It had abandonment love hate murder everything you can think of. The chapter’s are very short . A very easy read .Great book.
Amazon.com Review by Càrmen Johnson – February 20th, 2014  Read the review

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What a story of a courageous woman who survived a life of hardships. She was a woman, a mother, a wife, a man, a father, a lover, a whip, a drunk, an inspiration.
Amazon.com Review – October 9th, 2019  Read the review

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Kondazian leaves the complexities of Charley Parkhurst’s life of adventure and secrecy to the reader’s imagination. There is an openness about her writing that encourages the reader to expand on these complexities, rather than diminishing them with answers. Kondazian’s deft hand and sophisticated touch invites these complexities to live in the imagination…. While the setting of “The Whip” takes place over a century ago, the questions raised about the choices we make and their consequences on our lives remain pressing and relevant today….Kondazian weaves fiction and fact together seamlessly into a poignant and profound read.
– Story Circle Book Reviews, Review by  Dawn Wink. Read the full review


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What a novel! I truly enjoyed the author’s talents in writing an interesting, compelling historical story with such unique turns of events.The fact that it is based on a true story made it more emotionally moving. It was hard to put the book down, and I finished it before I was ready for the saga to end. I look forward to her next novel, but she has an awfully high standard to meet now! Karen Kondazian may join my list of all-time favorite authors!
Amazon.com Review by Ellen of DE – June 10th, 2019  Read the review

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The Whip is a striking tale. Author Karen Kondazian created an epic. My heart soared and tore to pieces.
Robgirlbooks Blog, Review by Robyn Jones. Read the full review

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“The Whip” is a beautifully written story of the Old West that moves between the exploits of Charley and the heartbreak of his/her secret. This is a very entertaining and emotionally moving reading.
– Bookviews by Alan Caruba. Read the full review

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Robin Weigert is able to portray Charlotte as both a man and a woman with very slight changes in her voice. She clearly defines the interesting set of characters in Charlotte’s life with changes in pitch, tone, and regional accents. In addition to Charlotte’s inner struggles and gender switches, the story hints of other women in the Old West who could not be self-reliant, respected, and independent as females. This ambitious plot, well performed, is based on a true story.
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AudioFile Magazine. Read the full review

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Karen Kondazian gave three of the most exciting performances I’ve seen in decades of LA theatre-going. Her Serafina in THE ROSE TATTOO revealed that play for me. Her Alexandra del Lago in SWEET BIRD OF YOUTH was terrifying, for her portraying of the ruthless hunger of Williams’ movie star for fame, youth, and beauty. And her Maria Callas in MASTER CLASS let me see that it was a great play; her earthiness and operatic grief trumped Zoe Caldwell’s, at least for me.

And now she’s written a book! THE WHIP has to be described as a “Western” novel, which is a marketing tool that is or isn’t useful to attract readers. It’s actually just a novel, and a fine one, told with the urgency and intensity Kondazian found in her stage work. It’s based on the true story of Charley Parkhurst; a story I didn’t know but am happy to know now. Parkhurst was a quasi-legendary stagecoach driver who was not, actually, a man. She was a Charlotte, an orphan, a person whose subsequent life seems to have been invented and captured by an American Robert Louis Stevenson. Whips, vigilantes, cross-dressing, revenge …. all my favorite hobbies! The Whip whips by in a blur of narrative, expertly managed by the driver of the stage, the novelist, herself. Highly recommended.
Goodreads.com review by Richard Kramer – April 30th, 2015  Read

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5 Stars… By far this is my favorite audio book… It’s not only true, but an exciting story. Narrator Robin Weigert is incredibly convincing in her performance of each character..  She’s brilliant. A must listen.
– Audible.com Customer Review of Audio Book, by Sherlock. Read the review

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This was a fantastic book. I could not put it down. I’ve recommended it to anyone who would listen. This is an easy read that keeps you engaged and impressed by a strong woman. The book club criticisms that this book is too “fictionalized” is absurd. This book is exactly as promoted – historical fiction. I’ve never found book clubs any fun. They take themselves too seriously. The participants usually act pretentiously as though they are of superior intelligence. They really are a bore to those of us who actually are of superior intelligence 🙂 The Whip may not appeal to people who are looking for stuffy, complicated prose. When I finished it, I couldn’t wait to try to find the grave of Charley in Watsonville – which is right down the road from me. I’ve done a lot of reading – and this ranks right up there with one of the best books ever. There are only a few other books I’ve found as inspirational and memorable.
– Amazon.com Customer Review by Amazon Customer. Read the review

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Bravo Karen Kondazian! Can’t wait for the film!!! Experiencing this historical and heart-wrenching journey, whether you’re a man or woman, gives you not only an entertaining and educational adventure, but assure anyone that if Charley can survive her circumstances and push her way back up through the dirt again and again… that any of us can.  Kondazian’s intimate portrayal of Charley’s feelings from so many perspectives reminds us how we’re all subject to endless identity choices and that, like chameleons, we can adapt and survive almost anything. Narrator Robin Weigert was fantastic at deepening the vision; creating atmosphere, and evoking the different worlds of each character. I only wish that all cultures could experience The Whip; especially the ones that are oppressive to women. We need to be reminded of the hope for society that awaits whenever positions of impact and power are helmed by the hearts and minds of women.
– Audible.com Customer Review of Audio Book, by Catherine. Read the review

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This is the riveting story of Charley Parkhurst (1812- 1879) – a woman posing as a man in a society where few women were more than a man’s possession, at best. The character’s historical life is somewhat sketchy. But, in her debut novel, acclaimed actress Karen Kondazian takes this bit of information and turns it into a full-fledged adventure that keeps the reader completely engaged from start to finish. (Personally, at one point in the reading of this tale, I actually had to put the book aside for a bit for fear of what may happen next in the unfolding story line.) Trust me when I tell you that you, too, will actually care about the folks in this story’s telling. You’ll see them (and all that surrounds them) and hear them and want to continue to learn more about each and every one, and discover their eventual fates. This mixture of fact and fiction is superb. My only remaining question is: When will this be turned into an award-winning film?
Review by Warren Jeffrey Motter. Read the full review

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The Whip is simply amazing. I expect author Karen Kondazian to turn this into a screenplay.  Bravo to her and to strong women who survive against all odds in a man’s world!
She Writes Blog by Vanessa Kachadurian. Read the review

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The journey of Charlotte “Charley” Parkhurst’s life is interesting reading but Karen Kondazian goes well beyond that. This is a book about values and about social issues. You will enjoy listening to (or reading) this well written and moving tale.

It Matters Radio, Review by Kenneth Weene. Read the review

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An extraordinary tale of transgender courage in the wild west, mixing fact with fiction!
WeHo News, Review by Rick Sandak. Read the review

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I don’t typically go for a historical/Western style novel; however, I loved every single page of “The Whip.” The story and writing is so engaging, that it was hard to put down every time I started reading it. Charley Parkhurst, the book’s central character, is so full of emotion and determination that you find yourself feeling all of her ups and downs, and cheering her on as though she were a friend. Her never-ending determination is inspiring.
Sher BonDurant, Goodreads.com. Read the review

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A gripping page-turner explores themes of self-identity, forgiveness, and survival, and captivates the reader from multiple perspectives.
Advocate.com The Whip: Straddling Gender Roles in the Wild West Review by Nick Pachelli. Read the review.

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I just finished reading “The Whip” and I have to tell you how much I absolutely loved your book. My wife read it too and has recommended it to her book club. Other than Larry McMurtry, Brian Garfield and a few others, I rarely read fiction. I am a history buff. It’s a curse. But “The Whip” had me from the start. I believe what I liked best is your books honesty. It is not necessarily a western; it’s about a person that happened to exist in that time period. It’s about feelings, emotions, anger, confusion, and even hatred; But mostly about forgiveness. I love your style of writing. For me it holds a simple rhythm that makes it a friendly read. Thank you so much for Charley and sharing her wonderful adventure.
– Peter Conway, Los Angeles, CA

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The theme I found the most interesting was Charley anti-racism. Near the beginning of the book, we see Charley arguing for rights for black people, and challenging anyone who says otherwise. An engrossing read.

The Lesbrary. Read the review by Danika.

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5 stars. This was our book club’s February choice. I enjoyed this book. The author took a character, a known person from the past and brought to life the life she imagine Charley may of lived based on the facts that she found. Their has since been additional research regarding ‘Mr. Charley Parkhurst’ aka Charlotte Parkhurst but whose to say what was what back in a day when records of births and every moment of a person/peoples lives was not written down or reported on social media. Different times. Different world. I found the book extremely enjoyable, the story plausible, and Charley (Charlotte) to be a very brave, courageous woman in very volatile times. Is that not the reason we read, to escape & immerse ourselves in the story. Kudos, to Ms. Karen Kondazian for allowing a glimpse into what (potentially) Charley’s life was like, the extent of which Charley kept secret and we can only speculate.

Amazon.com Review by L Wadley – February 24th, 2016 Read review

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5 stars. From the moment I started Whip I could not put it down. I could see Karen’s depth of research that she put into the development of her character. Truly a magnificent novel. I look forward to seeing the Whip as a film.
Amazon.com Review by Judi Hochman – February 12th, 2013  Read

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A very interesting story and one I, and most avid readers, probably have never heard or read about when thinking of the old west stories. Surprised a movie has not been made of this story. A woman stage coach drive reportedly one of the best, from a orphan raise in a New England orphanage. Lead me to read the true story of Charlotte/Charley on Wikipedia. Would encourage anyone to read the book – man and women – as I am sure it has a different meaning to each
gender.
– Amazon.com Review by Amazon Customer – April 10th, 2016 Read

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5 Stars. I usually don’t care for Westerns but from the first page I couldn’t put the book down – I was hooked! I had to know more of what had happened to Charley Parkhurst.
Amazon.com Review by Blair’s Reviews – February 12th, 2013  Read

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5 Stars. Awesome, cinematic historical fiction – “The Whip” is an engaging, thrilling novel narrated beautifully, it’s evident that “The Whip” would make a wonderful Academy Award Winning film.
Amazon.com Review by Elizabeth Simmons – January 20th, 2013  Read

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5 Stars. Epic cinematic story that shows that love comes in many forms and that it is not bounded by convention or marriage.
Amazon.com Review by Stephanie Barko – January 11th, 2013  Read

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Both Louis L’Amour and Karen Kondazian show us people in the dusty whirlwind of change and how they travel through it, headlong into the dust with hope for something better on the other side.
Reading the Truth. Review by Katherine Hauswirth – September 26th, 2012  Read

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Kondazian did not have an easy job turning Parkhurst’s “stranger than fiction” story into fiction, but the “The Whip” proves to be an entertaining, intense and well-wrought piece of western world building.
Bookotron.com  Review by Rick Kleffel – August 31st, 2012  Read

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“The Whip” explores all the deep inner turmoil that Charley Parkhurst must have felt being a woman of her time and making a living for herself as a free man.
Geekerydo Blog review by Kristina Pino – June 21st, 2012  Read

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A great story– strong, colorful, relevant and exciting… I look forward to continuing my connection to this wonderful novel, and above all, the fascinating character of Charley Parkhurst. I read the entire book in three days. I saw the movie all the way through it.
From the Page to the Screen by Jan Wahl – NBC (KRON 4) San Francisco – June 14th, 2012  Read

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Pick of the month! This is a very entertaining and emotionally moving read.
Bookviews by Alan Caruba – May 29th, 2012  Read

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Karen Kondazian brings forth a narrative flare to the story, making for a fun read that should prove all too difficult to put down, making “The Whip” a choice and much recommended read.
Midwest Book Review – May 10th, 2012   Read

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Karen Kondazian has allowed her imagination to weave Charley’s life into an intriguing pattern and done so in a fast-moving tale that quite possibly could be true.
Historical Novel Society Review by John Manhold  Read

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5 Stars. Brilliant and memorable are the lasting impressions you have after reading the final chapter of “The Whip,” a page turner with drama that is unpredictable.
Amazon.com Review by Charlotte M. Liebel – February 11th, 2012  Read

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If you find yourself reading this novel believing that you can easily predict what will happen next, watch out – you are in for a big surprise.
Book Pleasures.com Review by Norm Goldman – February 4th, 2012  Read

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Two thumbs up! Readers will enjoy the ability to read quickly along with the exciting action of the novel.
The Coffee Pot Chronicles. Review by Kim – January 30th, 2012  Read

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Kondazian writes with incredible sympathy for all of her characters, even the villains, which left me wanting to do some research of my own about Charley Parkhurst and gain a better understanding of her incredible story.
Frabjous Flamingo Blog Review by Sharayah Pranger – January 24th, 2012  Read

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This was one of the best books I have read this year. Everything came together in a wonderful way; that is to say, the writing is wonderful and Ms. Kondazian has joined my favourite author list. The research into the character was tremendous. The audio is wonderful and what a talent Robin Weigert has to make me truly believe that I was listening to men, women and children.
Goodreads.com Review by Linda Ostrom

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4 Stars. Very well-written, this has the feel of something like Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven – a raw, realistic, powerful western that stays well away from the spaghetti roots.
Amazon.com Review by Sally (Bending the Bookshelf)  – January 17th, 2012  Read

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5 Stars. Multi-layered magic – “The Whip” surprised me – beyond fine prose, you have the opportunity to delve into hearts and minds you would never expect to think of.
Amazon.com Review by Cris Carl – January 14th, 2012  Read

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This was one of the best books I have read this year. Everything came together in a wonderful way; that is to say, the writing is wonderful and Ms. Kondazian has joined my favourite author list. The research into the character was tremendous. The audio is wonderful and what a talent Robin Weigert has to make me truly believe that I was listening to men, women and children.
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Mrs. Mommy Booknerds Book Reviews Blog by Emily Lewis – January 6th, 2012  Read

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Kondazian treats Charley’s gender identity with care and complexity, demonstrating a character that defied the norms of any gender while occupying the role of both.
Balancing Jane Blog Review – January 5th, 2012  Read

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“Like a nugget of gold pulled from the riffles is Karen Kondazian’s debut novel The Whip. It may be a book for the times. We can all use a little cowboy wisdom about now and Charley Parkhurst may just be the gal to bring it. A thrilling and soul-searching read, raises questions about revenge and forgiveness; above all, this novel captures brilliantly the zeitgeist of the stagecoach era.
San Francisco Books & Travel—January 2012.  COWBOY UP: Art Kusnetz reviews Karen Kondazian’s The Whip.  Read

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The excellent audio version of this book takes a great story and raises it to the level of a captivating story. I really enjoyed this.
– Library Thing review by username Iudita – Read

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Interesting fictional account of Charlotte “Charley” Parkhurst (1812-1879) who spent much of her adult life posing as a man in California driving for Wells Fargo. Wish there was more factual information on her life. Good, fast read.
– Library Thing review by username pjhess – Read

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Kondazian’s well-written work, based on a true story, displays all the confidence of a seasoned novelist – I didn’t detect one false note.
New World Review by Fred Beauford – December 2011  Read

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This quick-paced, wily tale is a fascinating blend of both fact and fiction that is sure to engage Western and historical fiction fans and readers.
Library Journal review by Keddy Ann Outlaw – November 1st, 2011  Read

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Amazing read about a little known character in history, as well as interesting character studies of those who made up the old West. Kondazian does a fantastic job relating all the incidents in Charlie’s life, without excess words to wring emotions from the reader, quite frankly what happened to her in her life is enough to make the reader sympathetic without those. She is great at dialogue and her research was impeccable. Th book includes actual obituaries and newspaper articles from that time. Anyone who wants to read about the history of stagecoach drivers and a strong woman with great amounts of spirit and fortitude will love this book.
– Library Thing review by username Beamis12 – Read

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5 stars. Awesome read, excellent narrative. A perfect blend of fact and fiction.
Book Babe Blog Review by Tara Chevrestt – August 30th, 2011 Read