Picture of author.

Elisabeth Payne Rosen

Autor(a) de Hallam's War

1 Work 51 Membros 8 Críticas

About the Author

Image credit: John Burlinson. June 2008.

Obras por Elisabeth Payne Rosen

Hallam's War (2008) 51 exemplares

Etiquetado

Conhecimento Comum

Data de nascimento
20th Century
Sexo
female
Locais de residência
England, UK
California, USA
Educação
Hollins University
Ocupações
chaplain

Membros

Críticas

So far, I'm enjoying the book. It was a little hard to get into at first, but I think the more I read, the more I will enjoy it.
 
Assinalado
SilverShrew | 7 outras críticas | Feb 20, 2014 |
At first glance, the reader might think Hallam's War is only another war story; but it very much is not JUST any war story. True, the novel does take place immediately prior to and at the beginning of the Civil War - or the "war between the states" as it was then called. Yet the Civil War quickly takes a back seat to the ethical struggles of Hugh Hallam, who has been forced to make some moral compromises due to being caught up in a maelstrom that leaves him no acceptable choices... so Hallam's War becomes the story of two very different types of war, both of which are fought by one resiliant and resourceful man.

While there is some romance involved, it is low-key, as befits a married couple with three children, one of them in his teens. Of far more prominence is the detail of the Civil War battles and the ethical and moral choices faced by the protagonist. Real historical figures make some brief appearances in this captivating and dramatic novel that grips the reader from the first page and doesn't let go until the last page is finished.

I can highly recommend this well-written and accurately researched novel to all readers of historical fiction from ages 18 and up. Due to some mature themes, readers under age 18 should check with their parents or guardians before reading this splendid novel.

This review was previously published on Dragonviews
… (mais)
 
Assinalado
1dragones | 7 outras críticas | Sep 8, 2009 |
Esta crítica foi escrita no âmbito dos Primeiros Críticos do LibraryThing.
Seems like, with all the novels that have been written about the Civil War, we would have difficulty encountering a fresh voice or a new perspective. Both of these goals are achieved in Elisabeth Payne Rosen’s first novel, "Hallam's War". Hugh Hallam is a Mexican War veteran turned farmer. He has moved his family from civilized Charleston to rural East Tennessee and is keenly aware of the increasing anger of his neighbors as the events leading up to the Civil War unfold.

But, Hugh is not quite in synch with his neighbors. His farming practices are more advanced and his crop yields are higher. He sees his slaves as human beings and is uncomfortable with the prevailing view of fellow Southerners. He knows war is coming and worries about his wife, Serena, and their children. His restlessness is highlighted when the Hallam family hosts John Varick, a Northern journalist, sent South to write a series of articles for his newspaper.

When war breaks out, Hugh becomes a valued Confederate officer and is involved in the Battle of Shiloh. His oldest son, Lewis, also joins and Serena is left to hold things together on the farm. As the war wears on the Hallam Family endures, but at a price.

Payne’s characterizations are strong and true to life. Hugh Hallam’s war is one that is within as well as unrelentingly around him. Each character resonates with the reader and Payne’s writing feel fresh and clean, and skillfully portrays their thoughts and feelings. This is tremendous accomplishment for an author making her debut. I look forward eagerly to future endeavors
… (mais)
 
Assinalado
jfurshong | 7 outras críticas | Sep 12, 2008 |
Esta crítica foi escrita no âmbito dos Primeiros Críticos do LibraryThing.
The story starts off with Hugh leaving his home, bound for somewhere, but then drops into the past--by the time we finally get to the point he leaves, I'd forgotten the beginning in the first place.

That said, the characters of Hugh and his wife are likable folks that developed very well, and until I put the book down I did care about them. The descriptions of the characters and their surroundings were very vivid, and I almost feel like I was there.

The book was a slow, scenic wander through the storyline. If you like your tales descriptive to the point you can picture the characters and their surroundings in your head, know the protagonist like your own family, and don't care how long it takes to mosey from point A to point B, this is the book for you. If you're looking for a more direct route, you'll probably put it down like I did.… (mais)
 
Assinalado
alphasunrise | 7 outras críticas | Jun 22, 2008 |

Prémios

Estatísticas

Obras
1
Membros
51
Popularidade
#311,767
Avaliação
½ 3.5
Críticas
8
ISBN
3

Tabelas & Gráficos