The Black Flower

Hauntingly beautiful

I have to agree with whomever said this book reads like a cross between Ambrose Bierce and William Faulkner - two of my favorite authors. It was hauntingly beautiful and well narrated. It's been over a year since I listened to this audiobook, but I've recommended it many times and there are several passages that have stayed with me. I loved the powerful characterizations, the surreal flashes, and the unexpected humor. I had to have a box of kleenex on hand at the end. I also recommend Bahr's "The Year of Jubilo" and "The Judas Field" which continue the story but unfortunately aren't available as audio downloads.

6 people found this helpful

Franklin Tennessee - Nov 1864

I have read a lot of Civil War fiction and this is one of the best, maybe the best. The characters are so realistic, the interactions believable, the detail sensitive and poignant: the loyalties among friends soldiering together, the misfits in pre-war life who are misfits in wartime, too. The young people who in a non-warring world would be courting and marrying, are now in limbo, their would-be sweethearts lost to war or refugeeing. Characters' inner thoughts, dreams, memories, prayers and hopes are all part of the story. There are no caricatures, no clich?s. It is beautifully written and the narrator is excellent.

10 people found this helpful

A moving story of the Civil War

Quirky, believable characters enmeshed in the absurdity of war. Excellent narration.

6 people found this helpful

Wonderful

A wonderful heartbreaking story. The narrator did a excellent job. Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys civil war novels.

2 people found this helpful

Beautiful

I can only say this is the type of prose and style of writing we need more of in this day and age. Story is excellent, profound... it will stay with you. Narrator is perfect to the story, excellent rhythm. I read this book (on a whim) years ago in my late teens, the story stayed with me, and I was so pleased to find it on audible decades later. The writing is abstract and for good reason. It is a story of war (and love) and what war does to the human psyche and the destruction of innocence lost... that even the best of us (who we want to be) must struggle with in the face of the worst humanity can offer. You will relate with the protagonists and you will be drawn in. This is one of those books you stumble upon and realize you discovered true literary art.

1 person found this helpful

Couldn't Finish It

With apologies to the author, I'm sorry but I couldn't finish this book. It is a wandering, pretentious work that is unbearable. Fifteen minutes following a wasp is beyond painful. I really wanted to like it, but couldn't.

2 people found this helpful

Vital Debut of Confed Soldier's C. War Experiences

THE BLACK FLOWER is Howard Bahr's impressive debut novel about a Confederate soldier and the Battle of Franklin in the Civil War.

Bahr writes stunning action sequences. While the novel is moving, I felt it a bit overwrought, and found the dialogue at times clumsy and some of the narrative bumpy, which made the reading feel like drudgery in chunks.

This was an ambitious and valuable first novel for Mr. Bahr and I plan to read more of his novels.

Unfortunately, the audio quality was subpar and the narrator seemed to hit autopilot for spans.

1 person found this helpful

Page turner with historical value

Would you consider the audio edition of The Black Flower to be better than the print version?

The audio version was better than the print version for me because I enjoyed the voices that the novel was narrated with. Also, the audiobook helps with those who are slow readers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Black Flower?

"You boys are crazier than owl sh*t"-a Stranger

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This novel did not make me cry, but not for lack of trying. The novel did have some all too real moments of gruesome reality, but also had sprinklings of humor that made me laugh and laugh.

The Black Flower

Extremely abstract, surreal. Hard to follow, no real story here.

2 people found this helpful