The Homesman (novel)

"The Homesman" is a novel by Glendon Swarthout that tells the story of a woman, Mary Bee Cuddy, who lives on the American frontier in the 1850s. She is strong and independent, but when three pioneer women become mentally ill due to the harsh conditions of pioneer life, Mary takes it upon herself to transport them back to civilization. She enlists the help of a man named George Briggs, a reluctant companion. The novel explores themes of gender roles, mental health, and the struggles of frontier life, ultimately questioning who truly needs saving.