Flags on the Bayou

In the novel "Flags on the Bayou," set in Civil War-era Louisiana, a brilliant cast of characters, including enslaved and free women, plantation gentry, and Confederate and Union soldiers, are caught in the maelstrom of the South's transformation. Hannah Laveau, an enslaved woman, goes on the run with Florence Milton, an abolitionist schoolteacher, while Wade Lufkin, haunted by his experiences as a battlefield surgeon, becomes enraptured by Hannah. The novel explores tragic acts of war, class divisions, and love enduring through it all, with evocative prose by James Lee Burke rendering the rich Louisiana landscape.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 07 December 2023
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

In the tumultuous year of 1863, the Union Army held dominion over the Mississippi River and a significant portion of Louisiana, encompassing the cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. As the Confederate army retreated, it was replaced by a group of irregulars known as Red Legs, led by a maniacal figure known as General Prentiss. Amidst this shifting landscape, enslaved men and women began to harbor hopes of freedom.

Amidst the chaos, Hannah Laveau, an enslaved woman employed on the Lufkin plantation, found herself accused of a murderous act. Fearing for her life, she embarked on a daring escape alongside Florence Milton, an abolitionist schoolteacher. Together, they navigated the treacherous bayous, evading the local constable and the relentless slave catchers who prowled the area.

Wade Lufkin, a surgeon who had witnessed the horrors of war, returned to his uncle's plantation in search of solace and recovery. There, he encountered Hannah, and his heart was forever captivated by her. James Lee Burke, a master storyteller known for his evocative prose, skillfully paints a vivid portrait of the rich Louisiana landscape, encompassing the breathtaking sunsets over the Mississippi River, the dimly lit saloons of New Orleans, the serene shores of the bayou, and the venomous cottonmouth snakes that lurk within its depths.

"Flags on the Bayou" is a powerful and emotionally resonant tale that explores the tragic consequences of war, the stark divisions between classes, and the unwavering strength of love that transcends it all. It is a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity.

Weight: 226g
Dimension: 127 x 197 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781398715523