Has anybody ever read...

...Wyatt Earp, a novel based on the Kevin Costner film? It was written by Dan Gordon, who with Lawrence Kasdan wrote the story for the film.

It's interesting only because I'm reading everything I can find about Wyatt, Tombstone, and it's various characters.

But this novel plays with the facts far more than the film. Referring to Allie Earp, "She was a large woman."

They make Mike Gray of the town lot controversy into a leading bad guy, dealing with Old Man Clanton, and deciding who can and can not be killed. They also give him one son, Dixie Lee, completely ignoring John Pleasant Gray.

Prior to the state robbery where Bud Philpott was killed, they have Doc announcing that he's heading for Contention. In real life, he was headed for Charleston.

They have someone insulting Big Nose Kate because of her nose. She wasn't called that because of her nose, she earned her nickname because she always stuck her nose in other people's business.

They have Josie and Wyatt hooking up far earlier than they did in real life. They also make Wyatt a U.S. Marshall way too soon, instead of after the attempt on Virgil's life.

There are some humorous scenes, such as when China Mary intimidates Mike Gray into calling off attacks against the Chinese, but overall it's nothing but a piece of fiction. I will finish it, but I'd probably only give it two stars.

Anybody else read it? What did you think?


I intend to live forever.
So far, so good.