The Falling Hills

By Perry Lentz

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 087249988X
• ISBN13: 9780872499881
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: Univ of South Carolina Pr
• Length: 470 Pages
• Weight: 1.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Interesting, literary, but perhaps fatally flawed

This novel concerns the inner thoughts and personal experiences of several characters, both Federal and Confederate, before and during the fall of Fort Pillow. Lentz does an excellent job of presenting despicable characters: the envious, cruel, cowardly Suttell, the uptight Seabury lost in his fantasy world, Acox with his excuses and denial of responsiblity. At the same time as the reader is appalled by these people, though, it is impossible not to identify with them, because their faults are in all of us. Lentz' writing is generally excellent, with very good combat scenes. I like his portrayal of General Forrest, and wish he had included Forrest's response to the final events in his story. The research seems accurate -- I wonder if his image of the behavior of black troops during a truce is true to life. However, I suspect that this book has a fatal flaw as far as ever gaining mass appeal. Lentz' world is too gross, too ugly, his characters too corrupt, his black characters in particular too stupid and promiscuous (although I don't believe the author is prejudiced: he's portraying his image of the results of enslavement). I like "gritty" historical fiction, and this was a little too much of a downer even for me. Those who like romance and highminded causes should stay away from this book. For those willing to descend farther into the depths, I certainly recommend it.

an overlooked gem

Perry Lentz is a bit of a legend at Kenyon College, the school where he teaches and where he penned this fine novel as an undergrad. History buffs and lovers of fine fiction will find much to praise in this book. There's action, moral dilemma, and great characters, all placed in a detailed (but fascinating) historical cutout of one of the Civil War's least known but most notable battles. Lentz's writing is rich and sonorous, urging me to ask again, "Why is no one reading this book?"

A well developed, character driven novel of Fort Pillow

The Falling Hills is a superb novel of the Fort Pillow massacre. The work is character driven from the Union, Confederate, white and black perspectives. Some chapters are excellent and stand alone as short stories. The story is about 600 pages and not a page is wasted. Among the best parts are the deteriorating personality of of Union army lieutenant, the running skirmish of a Union private against 3 to 1 odds, the CSA's gathering of recruits in Western Tennessee during the Christmas of 1863, and their approach in 24 hours to Fort Pillow, and then finally the slaughter inside the fort. The Falling Hills is likely to be on the top five list of Civl War fiction written in this century