Librarything is a cataloging and social networking site for booklovers. Bushrod dreams that it is snowing and the ground is covered with hoe cakes drenched in molasses. The black flower is the gripping story of a young confederate rifleman named bushrod carter. In november 1864, general john bell hood ordered the army of tennessee to perform a frontal assault against a secure union defensive position outside the town of franklin. This week marks 150th anniversary of the attack on fort sumter, s. It received numerous accolades, including being named a new york times notable book. A novel of the civil war summary the story begins with a dream being experienced by bushrod carter, a 26 year old soldier currently in tennessee.
The first is in chapter 1, when the narrator refers to the prison where hester has been incarcerated, as. The book vividly documents the fear, suffering, and intense friendships that are all present on the eve of the battle and during its aftermath. The christian science monitor is an international news organization that delivers thoughtful, global coverage via its website, weekly magazine, online. The black flower is written with reverent attention to historical accuracy. A novel of the civil war by bahr, howard and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. He authored the epic civil war novel bound for the promiseland, which focuses on black soldiers, and recently received the award for his short story odells bones, set in indian. Amidst all the powerful civil war historical fiction of recent years, bahrs first novel stands as a memorable story of war at its most emotional and painful. Black civil war soldiers from the upper cumberland and. When bushrod is wounded, he is taken to a makeshift hospital where he comes under the care of anna, who has already lost two potential romances to battle. The black flower is a 1997 historical fiction novel written by howard bahr. It was mitchells only published novel, and she originally named her heroine pansy ohara. Howard bahr s novel begins the morning before the battle and ends with its aftermath. It is a powerful reminder that the war that divided america will not vanish quietly into the page of history.