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The Black Flower: A Novel of the Civil War Audiobook
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(4.03) - 616 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
At twenty-six, Bushrod Carter is already an old soldier, a veteran of all his regiment's campaigns since Shiloh. Now, on an Indian summer afternoon in 1864, Bushrod finds himself in the line of battle once again, on a plain below the obscure village of Franklin, Tennessee. In the madness and violence of the great battle, he must confront his soul and learn from his comrades as well as from a young girl struggling with her own harsh past.
This timeless portrait of a young man's suffering in war has won praise for its originality and power. The Black Flower is a story not only of war but of men and women seeking redemption. Stripped of all that anchors them, they at last turn to honor, courage, and love.
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"This is my favorite Civil War novel. I guess the Battle of Franklin has inspired more novels than other battles because it is unique. So many soldiers fell in this pointless Confederate charge that a large number of the fatalities were due to suffocation. Anyone who visits this battlefield site will themselves touring the huge Mansion that was converted into a hospital folloing the battle. The bloodstains from the wounded and dying are still evident in the upstairs room that served as a surgery ward. This horrendous event inspired another novel, Widow of the South, which is based on the woman who devoted his life to caring for the graves of the dead (1,700 of them)."
— Gary (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“[The] descriptive imagery…captures the sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste of war, and the use of detailed character development…reveals the emotional and mental perspectives of the young, battle-fatigued Confederate soldiers….An excellent novel.”
— Kliatt -
“Bahr’s blend of historical fact with gut-wrenching emotion has produced a riveting novel of the Civil War, a frighteningly realistic portrait of men and women caught in an awfulness beyond their control.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“An impressive debut…haunting…A bleakly effective and economical account of men and women caught up in a bestial conflict.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“I recommend it highly.”
— Shelby Foote, author of The Civil War Trilogy -
“I finished it in one long draught, thinking as I read of Crane, Hemingway, Mailer, and Faulkner...but realizing at the end that it was altogether original.”
— Ernest B. Furgurson, author of Ashes of Glory: Richmond at War
Awards
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Winner of the 1998 W. Y. Boyd Literary Award for Excellence in Military Fiction
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A 1998 New York Times Notable Book for Fiction
The Black Flower Listener Reviews
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" A glimpse of the horrific battle of Franklin during the War of Northern Aggression. I had recently read Widow of the South which covers the same battle but this book was much better. It was beautifully written and haunting "
— Julie, 2/13/2014 -
" To me this book was so well written... "
— Bob, 2/6/2014 -
" It is a fiction book dealing with the Battle of Franklin (1864). Dark and yet captivating. "
— Charles, 2/4/2014 -
" Just as good as Cold Mountain if not better (!) "
— Annette, 2/2/2014 -
" How to review this book?? It deserves an intelligent, literate assessment, but what is important to me with books is the *experience* of reading them. Reading this novel was one of my most enjoyable reading experiences in recent memory. Particularly with historical fiction, I enjoy books that make me feel as if I have walked into them and am living an alternate existence. That is what this book was like...I feel like I lived every page. So many haunting, memorable scenes here. I can't believe that this book almost never got published. Now, I'm going to read everything else Howard Bahr has written! <3 "
— Jennifer, 2/2/2014 -
" A fascinating story of the wounded after a Civil War battle. Kept me captivated the entire story. "
— Mum, 1/26/2014 -
" Loved this book---very true to life--what I believe situations actually were like! Others describe it in more detail. I just feel it really brought out the way things were following a terrible battle of the Civil War. "
— Barbara, 1/24/2014 -
" I read this after Cold Mountain and actually liked it better! This is a great book! I loved the interaction of the characters and the emotional impact of the book. "
— Gail, 1/16/2014 -
" Wonderfully written. Absolutely loved it! "
— Audrey, 1/13/2014 -
" A very dense slog. As I recall, it only covers a day or two of the main character's life. Bahr uses gorgeous language, but sometimes I just wanted the descriptions to stop so the story could move forward. It is a lovely story, however. "
— Molly, 12/22/2013 -
" One of the best books I've ever read. Incredible writing. "
— Beth, 12/8/2013 -
" I was impressed by how spare the language is, how evocative and tragic. A superb novel that looks at war with no sentimental gloss. "
— Duncan, 12/1/2013 -
" Poetic, heartbreakingly beautiful, tragic and absolutely amazing. My new favorite book. "
— Blue, 11/10/2013 -
" I think this is a non-fictional account of one civil war soldier's experiences in the Civil War. It is an excellent read for this genre, more from a personal perspective than from the war itself. "
— Mike, 10/24/2013 -
" Lisa B.W. gave this book to me years ago, and though it is not a genre I would normally choose, so glad she convinced me! Such a vivid, unique piece of storytelling, it has remained w/ me for years, and been one of my most recommended books. "
— Tina, 10/6/2013 -
" I was only so so about the Judas field but decided to try another of his books. I love fiction and I love the Civil War. In this novel they came together nicely and I'm on to his last one... "
— Lewis, 8/13/2013 -
" Probably the saddest book I've ever read. Full of dispair. War is a terrible thing. "
— John, 8/2/2013 -
" Loved this. Part Catch 22, part Cold Mountain, part Killer Angels, a poetic focus on the battle of Franklin. Very personal. "
— Mnmom, 1/16/2013 -
" One of the best books on the civil war I've ever read........ "
— Sharon, 11/30/2012 -
" Enjoyed this, as I do all of Mr.Bahr's work. Always gives an interesting view of the Civil War. "
— Karen, 11/24/2012 -
" Do you like historical fiction, civil war and, or the book Widow of the South? Then read this. A quick read, but warning, it is the first in a trilogy! Have to read two and three. Hope they are as good as the first. "
— Debbe, 10/31/2012 -
" A dark story with bright observations. A hisotrical lesson for all time. I highly recommend it. "
— Steve, 7/2/2012 -
" loved it!!! Was sooo well written, really showed the feelings of the men back then! "
— Gay, 4/29/2012 -
" Absolutely an amazing book. I believe it ranks alongside The Killer Angels as one of the best Civil War historical fiction books I have read. I cannot wait to read the rest of the trilogy. "
— Scott, 3/20/2012 -
" It's a novel...it was alright. "
— Jason, 12/10/2011 -
" Sad, grim and beautiful story. "
— Jeff, 10/1/2011 -
" The is a magnificent novel. Describes well the primal fear a man experiences before going into battle. "
— Rudy, 9/3/2011 -
" On the order of Cold Mountain. I recommend it highly. One of those books you read and really like, but wonder if anyone else has, too! "
— Lucy, 5/28/2011 -
" Poetic, heartbreakingly beautiful, tragic and absolutely amazing. My new favorite book. "
— Blue, 4/26/2011 -
" I thought this was a marvelous book. The author made his characters so real. I was caught up in their story from the very first pages. "
— Shirley, 3/24/2011 -
" I loved this book about a Civil War Battle that took place in Franklin, Tennessee. The main character, Bushrod Carter, was someone I would like to know, and emulate. It made the Civil War come alive for me. The writing is beautiful. "
— Cathie, 2/19/2011 -
" I think this is a non-fictional account of one civil war soldier's experiences in the Civil War. It is an excellent read for this genre, more from a personal perspective than from the war itself. "
— Mike, 1/31/2011 -
" I loved this book. I am envious of my sister who actually went to the Plantation. "
— Collette, 1/16/2011 -
" I almost gave up on this book, but I persevered because of all the great reviews. I was expecting a war story, but instead I found a simple love story about Anna and Bushrod, set in the Civil War during the Battle of Franklin. It is beautifully written. "
— Jim, 11/30/2010 -
" A beautiful, evocative, heart-rending tale that takes place during and after the Battle of Franklin, The Black Flower held me from start-to-finish. Bahr is one of my favorite writers. "
— Janis, 10/26/2010 -
" This is my second reading of this book. I love it. The characters live on in my mind and it reminds me how f**ked up we humans are. long live Bushrod! "
— Mike, 6/1/2010 -
" On the order of Cold Mountain. I recommend it highly. One of those books you read and really like, but wonder if anyone else has, too! "
— Lucy, 5/19/2010 -
" Why doesn't this book have a 5 star average? Incredible book. One of the top 3 books I've ever read! "
— Rebecca, 2/4/2010
About Howard Bahr
Howard Bahr, a native of Oxford, Mississippi, teaches English at Motlow State Community College in Tennessee. He is the author of numerous essays, articles, and short stories, many of which deal with the American Civil War.
About Brian Emerson
Brian Emerson is an actor and technical director with a long career in the Washington, DC, and Baltimore areas.