A Beautiful Glittering Lie by J.D.R. Hawkins

Title: A Beautiful Glittering Lie

        (A Novel of the Civil War)

Author: J.D.R Hawkins

Publisher: iUniverse

Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating : ****      

           

Hiram Grunted. “Because it’s my duty to defend my home, Kit” he responded slowly, as if contemplating every word.

Hiram’s answer to Kit Lawrence emphasises the simple logic of the volunteers who chose to enlist when their country called. Hiram Summers chose to fight for his country, the land he tilled and the place where he grew up. He wanted his family, land and house safe. Isn’t that the reason why the common soldier fights a war, regardless of what the leaders and generals make it out to be?

In a nation divided into two due to different ideologies and political thought, the common man is forced to take sides and fight a battle which becomes his own. The American Civil war was one such event in History. When the North fought the South, Hiram, a farmer in Alabama, chose to enlist and was assigned to the newly constituted 4^th Alabama Infantry of the Confederate Army.

The Novel plots his travails on the battlefield and of his family bearing his absence. His son David is unwillingly left behind and tries to find adventure nearer home and risks his life by repeatedly visiting Huntsville, which has been invaded by the Yankees, with his friend Jake Kimball. Caroline, Hiram’s wife and his daughters wait for him. They try to live a normal life and take care of their farm helped and protected by David, now the “Man” in the family. Does Hiram come back? Will David become responsible? It will be a startling discovery for the reader and a very intriguing read all the way to the end.

The work provides a proud revelation of the gallant effort of the 4^th Alabama, relating true incidents from the recordings of Mr. R.T Cole, a soldier in the volunteer Infantry. The realistic portrayal of unflinching patriotism and chivalry of the soldiers, their camaraderie and friendship is touching and awe-inspiring. At the same time it is like watching the war from close quarters and it makes one realise the futility of it when every loss of life brings grief.

When Hiram realises the meaninglessness of war, the reader empathises with him. It portrays how in times of strife families are torn apart and their lives are changed forever, notwithstanding the reasons and justifications of war. How the youth have to grow up suddenly when they are forced to take the places of their fathers and their innocence and exuberance is smothered in the aftermath, hits home after reading the story.

The novel is presented as a prequel to the author’s first novel “A Beckoning Hellfire”. For someone who has not read it yet, it will be a very interesting story after the prequel. For someone who has read it will be still more interesting to know what lead to it all.

The style is fast paced and exciting but sometimes the descriptive paragraphs about the battle become long-winding. The characters are very well formed and come out as very real three dimensional people with a gamut of feelings and expressions. Especially likable is the chemistry between Hiram and Caroline and their unflinching trust and understanding. The plot is well knit and one incident flows into another.

“The Beautiful Glittering Lie” – the dream of bravery, adventure, gallantry and Chivalry-that pulls David to enlist, remains intact for him till the end when the children are waiting for Hiram to return home on Christmas.

            

Redemption by Joe Prentis

Title : Redemption

Author: Joe Prentis

Publisher : Amazon Kindle(E-Book)

Genre : Hostorical Fiction

Reviewing an E-book is a novel experience. Although reading of e-books has increased in frequency yet one is not very comfortable without turning the pages. Still after a shaky start one could not put this one down or rather switch the reader off. 

 Redemption is a prequel to the now popular Renegade Series novels by the Author Joe Prentis. It is the story of Sergeant Oakley who has been an attaché with General McCLellan since the war began and has fought the American Civil War on North’s side. It’s a story placed around the end of the war when the peace process fails repeatedly and trust in the ranks and amongst the general public is at a premium. It has references interlinked with President Lincoln’s assassination and the events leading up to it.

Sergeant Oakley is waiting for the war to end and plans to go to the west to try and settle down but gets involved in the course of events when he falls in love with Anna, a girl turned vagabond on the streets of Washington after her family is wiped off during the civil war which ravaged Washington.

The fast paced, action packed style of writing keeps the reader hooked to the novel. There is action from the start till the end and lots of intrigue. The Characters whether Primary or secondary have been very well etched.  The length of the novel appropriate considering the turn of events described and there is no unnecessary prose winding the action down.

Anna and Oakley come alive with their chemistry. So do McCade and McLellan, commoners who became soldiers for a just cause and believe in it vehemently. Washington, its political milieu and the condition of the city has been described very well throughout the novel. The generals meeting with Lincoln brings you close to the enigmatic figure. Historical details have been carefully and correctly incorporated. The climax is again very well handled and the action suitably slows down while the suspense builds up. The tale in the twist comes as a pleasant relief and surprises the reader.

It’s a good introduction of the Western Novel to the modern reader, especially in India. It will be interesting to read the Renegade series now. Thus it totally serves its purpose as a prequel to the series. It leaves you asking for more and one feels like ordering the Renegade series right away.

It is a very good and interesting read by itself too. One feels for the lovers and realises the futility of war and the destruction it causes. Particularly the problems of a civil war where families are wiped off and children left unprotected and uncared for. It also brings out the apathy of a people torn apart by war and strife and the way they lose the ability to trust and be compassionate.