by Rebecca (Havertown, pa): I have a complicated relationship with Bohjalians books. To me, they are either very good like Hour of the Witch or meh, like the Princess of Las Vegas. So I went into this book with caution but with hope. I’m glad to say I was pleasantly surprised.
Kudos to Bohjalian for always doing impeccable research. During the Civil War, Libby, after a short marriage, is left by herself with only her niece and her two freed slaves when her husband heads off to fight for the rebels. A Union soldier who is gravely injured enters their lives.
Despite their distrust of the Northerner, they do everything in their power to save him at the risk of their own lives. The book does head to the cliched as Libby and Jonathan, the jackal, do fall in love as Libby comes to grip with the realization that her husband is most likely dead. But the ending is a surprise and not cliched in the least. Based on a true story, I think this is one of Chris Bohjalians best.
