Killers of the Flower Moon - David Grann

By
⭐ 9/10

My man David Grann! I knew with 100% certainty that I would adore this book. I have loved everything else he's written, and loved the movie. It's a super interesting story of one of America's ugliest times (and they have a LOT of ugly times). For those unaware, this book is about the Osage people in the 1920s, who were forced onto a reservation in Oklahoma, who then later discover they are on oil reserves, making them the richest people in America. Then suddenly a bunch of Osage people end up mysteriously murdered... 

While the movie is very upfront about the criminals, the book plays out like a murder-mystery, which I think is a much cooler way to do it. Obviously I already knew who was behind the killings, but the way Grann plays up the mystery is terrific. There are just so few authors like him, able to tell true stories in such fascinating ways. A true master of his craft. 

But the story in and of itself is completely wild. You would never believe it if it weren't true. Truly a look at humanity, racism and white supremacy at its worst. Gross, gross people. 

Also unlike the movie, which focuses on the story of Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman who loses nearly her entire family, this book shifts focus to Tom White, the FBI agent who solves the case. This book is also largely about the formation of the FBI, so that history is all super cool, and Tom White is a dynamite leading man. Basically a pure-hearted cowboy with great principles. I'm sure with a little digging, he was probably not great (he was a Texas Ranger in fact), but in this book it seems like his heart is always in the right place. I get why the movie shifted focus away from him, but he is by far the mvp of the book. 

So yeah, amazing entry in the Grann library. I guess my only minor complaints would be that this book is very short. I did the audio version, and it was only 9 hours, with the last 2 hours feeling more like appendices. That's basically a podcast. There are also a million names, so despite watching the movie, I was still often lost. Probably better to read psychical for this one. But read it you must. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

By
⭐ 6.5/10 (Originally written by Tim) Watched this for the first time because we wanted a comedy, and it was fine. I laughed a couple times, mostly at Paul Rudd, whose character was amazing. Otherwise its just a 2000s raunchy comedy. These Apatow movies are way too long for comedies, and the feel-good endings take too long to get to. I liked the idea of a fake NBC show that Kristen Bell stars in, and those clips made me laugh. Jason Segel is fine, and he fits the depressed guy thing they are going for here. I will never understand why the two women in this movie are so beautiful and the two guys are pudgy idiots. I guess I do understand, given the target audience for these movies. Another thing, they clearly were in Hawaii for filming a bunch of this, but then there are a couple scenes that are clearly using a green screen for the background. Pretty weird, since I assume they were in Hawaii, so maybe reshoots? Felt kinda cheap. Anyways, good for a couple laughs, don't ever nee...
Read more

July Reading Favourites

By
Image
Look at that cover! This is a YA horror book written by a trans Canadian author that knocked my socks off. A small town has secrets it's trying to hide, and after the death of a boy and a newcomer arriving, things start slipping out of control. It's a book about being trans or queer and living in a small town, and how a community creating a facade of a perfect town can backfire. Also maybe closing your eyes to anything that's "not your business" is not good actually! It's violent and full of rage, and I loved the way it played with time and perspective. Check the triggers, but if you're interested in reading it, I'd recommend going in blind without looking at reviews or a longer description! This is a short book of essays about ableism and disability justice, specifically relating to technological advances for disabled people. Most of the essays focus on a different type of technology for different disabilities (prosthetics, hearing aids, cures for aut...
Read more

Magdalene's Favourite Books of 2024

By
Image
In 2024 I read another ABSURD amount of books, and I will not be commenting on what that says about me, my decisions, or the state of my mental health. So I'm just going to go straight into my favourite books of the year! I've posted about a lot of these in my monthly faves, but now you get to see which ones made it to my favourites of the year list! They're in no particular order. A Pacific Islander-inspired fantasy with unique, refreshing vibes. Hanalei returns to her home island, Her childhood best friend is looking for a dragonfruit to heal his mother, and Hanalei will use her connection with the seadragons to help. Lucier has a pretty simple way of writing, but the story was fun and beautiful, and it really took me on an adventure. Sid is a Korean adoptee living in a very white town that is over a crack where magic can get through. One day a Guardian falls, releasing magic and zombies, and it becomes a fight to survive. This is such an interesting blend of fantasy and ...
Read more