The Heart in Winter By Kevin Barry

In the atmospheric setting of Butte, Montana, October 1891, "Riding Out Tonight" transports readers to a gritty, vibrant landscape teeming with copper mines and the tumultuous lives of Irish immigrant workers. At the heart of the narrative is Tom Rourke, a young poet and balladmaker whose life is a tapestry woven with vice and debauchery, fueled by substances and a restless spirit.

Amidst this backdrop arrives Polly Gillespie, newly wed to the pious mine captain, Long Anthony Harrington. Her arrival sparks an electric, forbidden romance with Tom, igniting a passionate affair that defies social norms and expectations. Together, they seize a stolen horse and embark on a daring journey westward through the rugged landscapes of Montana and Idaho, seeking refuge in the vast and untamed wilderness.

For a fleeting moment, their journey becomes an idyll of wild romance, where the boundaries of society and convention are left behind. However, their blissful escape is soon shattered by the relentless pursuit of a posse of deranged Cornish gunsmen, determined to reclaim Polly and exact vengeance on Tom.

As they race against time and the unforgiving terrain, "Riding Out Tonight" explores themes of love, rebellion, and the pursuit of freedom against a backdrop of impending winter and the harsh realities of life in the frontier. The narrative weaves together lyrical prose and visceral storytelling, drawing readers into a world where passion clashes with danger, and where every choice carries weighty consequences.

This tale of love on the run promises a gripping, evocative journey through the American West, where the pursuit of liberty and love collide with the brutal realities of survival and pursuit. 📚❤️