White Doves At Morning - A Novel of the American Civil War - Hardcover

Burke, James Lee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0752856502 ISBN 13: 9780752856506

Publisher: Orion, 2003

Synopsis

Set mainly in Louisiana during the years 1861-1868, this passionate novel of men, women and war tells the story of the author's ancestor, Confederate soldier Willie Burke. A classic Burke hero, innately moral to the point of lunacy, Willie is soon in conflict with his superiors. As his best friend Jim Stubblefield observes: 'the juncture of Willie Burke and the Confederate Army is akin to the meeting of a wrecking ball and a crystal shop.'

The characters who people these pages, many of them based on real historical figures, are as memorable as any Burke has created. Mulatto Flower Jamison, victim of terrible abuse that never touches her soul, determined to better herself; Quaker abolitionist Abigail Dowling, whose Unionist sympathies put her in constant danger; Colonel Ira Jamison, rotten to his core yet who would rise from a cesspit smelling of roses; these and many others stay powerfully in the mind in this epic tale. Like all the best war novels, WHITE DOVES AT MORNING concentrates not on battles but on the edges of grand events, the detritus that wars create, the human cost, and, in this case, the terrible aftermath.

About this title

Review

The author of the steamy Dave Robicheaux detective stories has turned his hand to a historical novel. White Doves at Morning tells the story of James Lee Burke's ancestor--a Confederate soldier in the American civil war. The novel illuminates the panoramic events by following the lives of a handful of people involved. The hero Willie Burke is a cheeky but brave solider who interacts with a courageous Yankee abolitionist, an intelligent and persecuted slave girl and a rogues' gallery of colourful and corrupt confederate soldiers.

Burke writes with an economical, passionate and vivid style. The violent desperation of the battlefield is described with gripping realism while the violent and sweaty atmosphere of the Confederate USA is evoked brilliantly. Burke's plot is somewhat episodic, and he assumes that his readers have more knowledge about the history and culture of America than many actually do. For the non-American reader especially, some maps, a glossary and an outline of key events would have helped enormously. Therefore this book is best read by those who already have some background knowledge about the Civil War. These cross cultural problems aside, Burke still captivates with the power of his observation and the sympathy of his storytelling. For those who like their history in realistic, but fictional form White Doves of Morning mustn't be missed. --Dwight Longenecker

Review

We have secured a feature interview with James Lee Burke in THE OBSERVER magazine which will appear on Sunday 16 March. We have sent journalist Euan Ferguson to meet James in Louisiana; Euan is a big fan already and has read most of James's backlist. James has been interviewed from the US for BBC RADIO 3 NIGHTWAVES on Wednesday 12 March. The broadcast date is still to be confirmed,but it be around publication. And also for BBC RADIO 4 FRONT ROW, to be broadcast to coincide with publication. We are expecting lots of the usual excellent review coverage for White Doves at Morning, and the following are confirmed already:THE GUARDIAN, THE MIRROR, THE DAILY MAIL and UNCUT magazine 'In White Doves at Morning, Burke demonstrates again his bravura skill at memorablecharacterisation, acute dialogue and wonderfully evocative descriptions.' OBSERVER 30/3/03 'a compelling riposte to Margaret Mitchell's nostalgic myth-making' THE SUNDAY TIMES 6/4/03 'White Doves at Morning is an uncompromising examination of the "moral insanity" of war and slavery. It's a rare venture into historical fiction for Burke, a celebrated crime writer, but his established readership won't be disappointed...it reveals a greater complexity of characterisation and overal subtlety than his previous work. ... Burke places an uncomfortable spotlight on white American history, but the profundity of the issues never interferes with the drama and excitement of the story.' DAILY TELEGRAPH 22/3/03 'Best known as a crime writer, James Lee Burke spreads his wings to fine effect in this stirring tale of the American Civil War. ... White Doves at Morning makes a worthy addition to the canon. It captures the roller-coaster excitements of fast-changing times. SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 13/4/03 'This is a departure for Burke, who is best known for his contemporary detective novels, and anyone who has read those will already know he writes like an angel.His prose id deceptively fluent and, his pacing unbeatable and the subject of White Doves at Morning is close to his heart.' DAILY MAIL 28/3/03 'This is both a moving account of the horrors of war and a subtle yet powerful examination of the strengths and weaknesses of human nature. Written with a wit and wisdom reminiscent of Mark Twain, it is nothing short of a masterpiece.' WATERSTONE'S BOOKS QUARTERLY 'When writing about the physical world of the Deep South, Burke has feel equals. ... In White Doves at Morning, he brings this gift to bear on the experience of battle in the Civil War. These are among the best things Burke has ever written, and they deserve to be read alongside TheRde Badge of Courage.' TLS 18/4/03 'As well as a fascinating examination of the ethical chasm at the heart of battle, White Doves at Morning is also a beautifully written. Clearly a novel the author wanted to write it's not just areturn to form - it's terrific.' UNCUT magazine May 03 'A wonderfully colourful novel that yet again creates a vivid atmosphere that is almost tangible' CRIME TIME 'James Lee Burke is a gifted writer whose words echo in your mind hours after you read them... This is another winner from Burke, who manages to educate as well as entertain with plenty of factual snippets from a very turbulent period in US history.' syndicated local press review 'The characters are colourful and well-written. Burke keeps the reader's attention by focusing on plot and character development yet keeping the story just on the edges of the great battles and events of the time. This is a simple yet finely crafted story about the cost of war and slavery soaked in the atmosphere of the period.' GOOD BOOK GUIDE 'White Doves at Morning is yet another remarkable and recommended work.' DUBLIN EVENING HERALD James is being interviewed for the GL

About this edition

• Publisher: Orion
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0752856502
• ISBN 13: 9780752856506
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288