27th Street

Deadwood, the novel by Pete Dexter, was published in 1986, long before the unresolved television spectacle of the same name. Both deal with the same couple years in the strange wild west muddy world driven by greed for gold, and both deal with many of the same characters. Having seen the series, I found it difficult in parts to forget it while reading the novel, but finally I managed to, as I realized the novel is something else again.

Deadwood the novel is at its heart the story of a historically insignificant character in a time and a place rich in historical significance. It is through Charlie Utter we learn about Wild Bill Hickok and the ragged cast of characters drinking and whoring in Deadwood in the 1870s. We learn about the Bottle Fiend, described as a “soft-brain” who runs the bathhouse and collects bottles which he believes hold secrets for God.  We meet Malcolm, who preaches about the evil side of the Lord, and finds that presence in one Al Swearengen, a whore-man. We meet Sheriff Bullock and his partner Solomon Star, and Ci-an the so-called China Doll. We meet Calamity Jane, who had a good heart. And we meet Agnes Lake, circus performer and wife of Bill Hickok (the dying famous mythical gunfighter murdered in a Deadwood bar). We’re taken on an ill-fated moose-hunting trip with Captain Jack. We drink pink gin and brown whiskey. And lots more. Charlie’s stories.

Deadwood was a place of extremes, a place for lost souls, and Pete Dexter takes us there. Charlie Utter doesn’t belong, but we stick close to him and he guides us through.

This is a great novel, and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of Mr. Dexter’s work as soon as possible.