The Black Flower

By: Howard Bahr

Narrated by: Brian Emerson

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

At 26, 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. The dark flower of his destiny is opening in the twilight, just as it has on other fields, and Bushrod must pass once again under its shadow if he is to see tomorrow.

In the madness and violence of a great battle and its aftermath, Bushrod Carter tries to act his part as well as he can. He must confront his soul and learn from his comrades and from a young girl struggling with her own harsh past.

This timeless portrait of a young man's suffering in war has already won praise for its originality and power. The Black Flower is a story not only of war, but of men and women seeking redemption, who are stripped of all that anchors them, and who at last turn to honor and courage and love.

©1997 Howard Bahr (P)1998 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"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)
"Bahr makes an impressive debut with a haunting tale of a brief but bloody encounter on the road to Nashville....A bleakly effective and economical account of men and women caught up in a bestial conflict." (Kirkus Reviews)

Very moving story

A powerful story of the soul, realistic portrayal of soldiers and civilians in the midst of a brutal war narration is excellent, I was not expecting the ending to be so sad though

We’ll worth the reading

A bit esoteric, in that this book is probably best understood by those who have served in combat and risked all, but it is respectfully presented and is often even humorous (as men serving together can be). I greatly enjoyed this book and the well-researched Battle of Franklin. Rarely is work of this topic (Civil War) is carried by Amazon Audible. Today’s offers are more inclined toward “victimization” (of women, races, groups). True and willing SACRIFICE seems to be quite an unpopular theme today. Just my opinion.

Tuff one to listen to

I like history, but this one was a tuff one to listen to. I did not finish the book and likely never will.

Intense

I don’t think I’ve ever listened to or read a book where my mouth hung open in shock. It was very well written and the the stories and characters are great. Very tough times. Great stories from a different perspective.

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.

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.

Wonderful

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

Magnificient

Occasionally, I am afforded the opportunity to stumble upon the level of pure literary genius found in a book like this. The writing is captivating and reminds me of Cormac McCarthy stylistically, which is the highest praise that I (a fellow author, reader, and fan of his) could give. The 19th Century is very much my period of interest as a writer, is strong with my as a historian, and so forth. This book was fantastic. I loved it.

A moving story of the Civil War

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

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.