Synopses & Reviews
Daniel Woodrell's shattering coming-of-age novel brilliantly captures the lawless universe of war as seen through the eyes of a young secessionist.
The 1860s: While the great battles of the Civil War rage in the East, Jayhawkers and bushwhackers wage their own vicious heartland war, savaging all in their wake without conscience or pity. Where the First Kansas Irregulars ride, no one is safe.
At sixteen, Jake Roedel joins this piratical band, and partakes in brutality excused in the name of retribution. But as friends fall and families flee, he questions his loyalties. Against a horrific backdrop -- Quantrill's raid on Lawrence, Kansas -- Jake puts himself in the path of his own comrades, becoming an outsider even to those who have become outlaws.
Review
The Kansas City StarWoodrell joins Douglas C. Jones and the few others whose novels of western history are mainstream literature....The violence is fast and understated and bawdy humor relieves the story's intensity.
Review
David Lozell Martin
author of The Crying Heart Tattoo
An absolutely brilliant performance.
Review
United Press International
[A] fine novel....Daniel Woodrell has captured the devastation of war and, more importantly, the twisting of men's minds.
Review
Kirkus ReviewsWoodrell shows a strong talent for pared-down, darkedged storytelling -- especially in fitfully compelling, atmospheric, violent set pieces.
About the Author
Daniel Woodrell, Ozark born and bred, dropped out of school and joined the Marines at seventeen, got his college degree at twenty-seven, spent one year on a Michener fellowship at the lowa Writers' Workshop, and saw his first novel published at thirty-three. Hailed as "that infrequent thing, a born writer"
(The Philadelphia Inquirer), he is known for his virtuosity as well as for his special sense of place and for characters that are simultaneously unique and universal. He is the author of
Tomato Red, as well as these Pocket Books titles:
Under the Bright Lights, Woe to Live On (retitled
Ride with the Devil to coincide with the Universal film),
Muscle for the Wing, The Ones You Do, and
Give Us a Kiss.