The Branding Iron

"The Branding Iron" by Katharine Newlin Burt is a character-driven story set in the wild west, revealing the life of Joan Carver as she grapples with love, isolation, and identity in a tough world. The story starts with Joan, alone in her cabin, reading about heartbreak, which echoes her own life. As she thinks back, the story exposes her difficult past and her connection with her husband Pierre, and how she went from miserable poverty to where she is now. Her father's cruel control and Pierre's strong hold trigger her desire for independence, suggesting a bumpy road ahead. It all starts with the fearsome snowy wilderness, and Joan's longing for independence.