Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries)

The emotional range of this book is remarkable. The character development of the narrator is also outstanding. A word of warning: this book is long. I don't think it needs editing. Every story has a point, and every one is worth reading. It isn't always an easy read, because it's about what a war does to those who fight it and those attached to the veterans. The author does his best to tell the truth. There is no downplaying of treatment of slaves, nor is there any apology or defense offered of the South's behavior. It's a good one to read for anyone interested in the Civil War.

Normally I love Allan Gurganus's writing. His short stories are filled with odd, kind-ish, believable characters. This is the first of his novels I've read and I'm bogged down. It's tedious but I'll probably finish it this year.

I have had the paperback book for a long time and it's one of my favorite books. I lent it to a neighbor and as he read, he talked about it with me, as entranced at everything as I had been so I ordered another copy (a hard cover! woot!)I love journals and diaries, and I'm not sure how I originally found this book but what captured me at first was the amazing poetry of language it's written in. I vaguely remember my Great Grandpa (born in 1868) and the way people of that day carefully drafted their words and sentences, back when speech was an art form. When people thought before they spoke and painted logical and precise pictures to the listener because it was a badge of Honor, to be able to communicate well. Even if it was interspersed with regional slang or the slightest of bawdy humor. I find myself re-reading sentences over because they are so beautifully put, and whole paragraphs over because of the picture it's given me.This is not a happy nor warm, fuzzy book, but it can be. Our narrator is an old lady in a Old Person's Home but is full of strength, honesty and wow - what a life she's lead. She tells the story of herself and her role as the young wife (at 15) to a much older man - a returned war hero who on his best day is a shell shocked, clueless wonder. Through the decades we grow as she did, witness history, her growth and enduring an abusive man. There is so much here it's hard to explain. There was no way to predict what was going to happen next, and at the end I was shocked myself, and happy for our heroine Lucy and so impressed at how a woman (and anyone) even carried on in those days. It's a history book, a personal story, a lot of surprises and takes you though a lot of emotion. Good and bad, frightening and laugh-out-loud.This writing is different and took a lot of work and is worth reading. I've lent it out 3 times recently and everyone still brings up sections of it and talks about it like it was a book club selection we all read together. I'd recommend it. it's a long book but you'll be sorry when it ends.(I did see the movie, after I read the book. I really disliked the movie but I thought it was too rushed. It could have been a trilogy. And I hate Donald Sutherland's teeth ;))

Like the battle descriptions and memories of Ned.But all are from wife's perception and tedious to follow. Only got to around page 100. I'm done !!!

I enjoy how the book's vocabulary is written in the southern black vernacular. It pulls you into the scene as if you wee really there.

I actually have a hardback. I first became acquainted with this story after spending new years eve with my parents watching the movie . I was home for the holiday after graduating college and was in my first adult job and my mom rented the DVD for me to watch with her and my dad. I've always been a civil war and history buff. 99 year old Lucy Marsden reminded me of Jane Pittman from "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman" in a way, which is another favorite of mine. It was comforting. The book is a must read for anyone who loves a great moving story and history. I read a lot from all genres. This is one of my most favorite books and it touched me and taught me so much. As an adult, the movie is my go to after a rough day and the book just relaxes me and I get lost in the beautiful prose and narrative. I have read this book many times every time it is like reading the diary of an old friend and the Senior Citizens I grew up around and spent time with. This book stirred up many emotions and feelings for me, but also touched me deeply. Those that don't like it or didn't feel anything must be robots. Highly recommended. Wish I had read it sooner in high school, but I think I appreciate it more having found it as an adult.

For many years, I intended to read this novel. Now I have ... and I was swept away by the scope and depth and insight of the "story," one that will repay a reader many times over for the challenge of staying the course. The book succeeds on so many levels, maintaining multiple messages, if you will, and allowing them all to play out. It's about war, indeed, but war in all guises: among people, within families, and the one each of us fights every day, with ourselves, our dreams, and our realities. It's about southern life and values, then and now, about southern history, then and now. It's about memory and storytelling ... and how the two intertwine and confuse one another. The book, simply put, teems with life as we all live it, so full of joy and sadness, reminiscence and regret, soaring dreams and sordid realities -- it contains multitudes. This is as fine a book as I've read in some time; it's that good. Strap yourself in and read it. Just read it, slowly and lovingly, and let the beauty of its imaginative and historic genius work its magic. It will.

I saw a movie many years ago with this title starring Donald Sutherland and a very young Diane Lane. It may have bee a mini series but it was excellent. Fell in love with be the books jacket design..the book is large and numbers well over 700 pages but my hope is to start it soon. This is a great find, thank you Amazon, maybe I'll sell it back to you when completed!

wonderful book

Si la Guerre de Sécession vous intéresse, vous serez dans l’ambiance du début à la fin ! Mais ce livre est aussi beaucoup plus, plein de finesse et d’humanité, enrobées d’un humour à l’épreuve des balles ou des boulets. Qui cherche un gros pavé psychologiquement très réussi ne doit pas hésiter à dévorer celui-ci.

The first book feel urged to write a recomendationA very densly written, rich language with layers upon layersWhy we dont hear anything from this brillianth author?This is one of the best books i know.