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Title: Characterizations Disappointing
Review: Although Mr. West is a competent enough writer of the western genre, his characterizations of Dodge's citizens leave something to be desired. In particular, the character of Miss Kitty was almost unrecognizable. I doubt that Mr. West ever watched the later years of "Gunsmoke" or else he would have written Kitty as a more mature, fully developed character. The Kitty in this novel is too soft and girlish--as if a 21 year old Kitty exists in the last years of the show. Where's the tough-as-nails Kitty I know? Yes, the relationship between Matt and Kitty was implied, particulary in later years, and it was definitely implied as a sexual as well as emotional relationship. The relationship between Matt and Kitty in West's book is overly sentimental and lacking sexual chemistry. As grateful as I am that someone is still writing "Gunsmoke" stories, I wish they would get the character of Kitty right.
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