Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

James Lee Burke's "Flags on the Bayou" is a novel that immerses readers in the tumultuous era of the Civil War in Louisiana. With a narrative that is both grueling and compassionate, Burke presents a story that is a profound examination of the enduring legacy of slavery.

The novel is set against the backdrop of a South in transformation, where the Union army's control over the Mississippi river has brought occupation to New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The Confederate army is in disarray, and amidst this chaos, we meet Hannah Laveau, a formerly enslaved woman working on the Lufkin plantation. Accused of murder, Hannah's flight from justice with Florence Milton, an abolitionist schoolteacher, forms the crux of the narrative. Their journey is fraught with danger, dodging both the local constable and slave catchers in the bayous.

Wade Lufkin, a surgeon haunted by his experiences on the battlefield, returns to his uncle's plantation to convalesce. His path crosses with Hannah's, leading to an unlikely and powerful love story. The novel also features a duel with disastrous consequences, encounters with a Union commander, and skirmishes with Confederate irregulars led by a possibly deranged colonel.

Burke's portrayal of the characters is masterful, with each one caught in their own internal conflicts and the larger conflict that surrounds them. The narrative is action-packed, yet it also delves deep into the psychological impact of war and slavery on individuals.

"Flags on the Bayou" is a testament to Burke's storytelling ability, offering a narrative that is as engaging as it is insightful. The novel illuminates a past that reflects our present in sharp relief, reminding us that the demons of history are not confined to fiery pits but walk among us. It is a book that compels us to reflect on the complexities of human nature and the scars of history that we continue to grapple with.

The "Flags on the Bayou" is a powerful addition to historical fiction, one that resonates long after you turn the final page. Burke's claim that this may be his finest work is not without merit; however it is a brilliant tapestry of narrative that captures the essence of a pivotal moment in history with raw emotion and unflinching honesty.

I would rate this 4 1/2 stars if possible.

Another great read from James Lee Burke. First time not reading a series of his, but just as good. Historical, great characters, and great story. #FlagsontheBayou #NetGalley

Unable to download, thus unable to review and properly rate. I do not blame the publisher or the author, Netgalley has failed me.

James Lee Burke is one of our greatest living authors, in my opinion. I am a big fan of the detective series he writes. This was a stand-alone historical novel set toward the end of the Civil War in Louisiana. There is a colorful cast of characters who cross paths with some dramatic consequences.

Burke is an expert with dialogue that makes his characters seem real and immediate. And he draws such a picture of the place that you wonder, does he somehow have a secret time travel door to the past?

Listen to the full cast audiio version of the book if you can. It is pure theater and so well done.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic, NetGalley, and author extraordinaire, James Lee Burke, for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

James Lee Burke is one of the finest prose stylists the U.S. has to offer. His brilliant, lush descriptions, quirky, resonant characters with interesting names, and his passion for the rights of the working class are the stuff of legends. My thanks go to Net Galley and Simon and Schuster for the invitation to read and review his latest novel, Flags on the Bayou. This book is for sale now.

Our protagonist is Hannah Laveau, a former slave who’s on the run from the law. With her is Florence Milton, an abolitionist from Massachusetts. Hannah is determined not to be caught, but also to retrieve her little boy, Samuel, a preschooler from whom she was separated at the battle of Shiloh. Her determination is singular. Along the way we have officers from both sides of the Civil War, corrupt rich guys, and bushwhackers. The story is complex, as are all of Burke’s novels, and the setting atmospheric.

All of these things being said—and I’ve said them many times before, since I began reading his work about a decade ago—there are some things that I would like to see done differently. Burke has always intertwined social and political messages within his novels, and so it’s the subtext in this book that jars me. In fact, it bothers me enough that I abandoned this story twice before I finally dug in, determined to finish it.

The first category here is the American Civil War, and the fallout we still deal with today. In past novels, Burke has told us that the slavocracy was wrong, and that the war was indefensible. I feel as if he has retreated from that here. We have some ugly Confederate characters, to be sure, but we also have ugly Union officers, and General Sherman—one of this reviewer’s most beloved heroes—gets run through the mud multiple times. It’s as if Burke wants us to know that actually, both sides were bad, and that war itself is just plain awful. This is weak tea indeed.

The second is one I’ve been eyeing for the last few of Burke’s novels, and I have soft-pedaled it because of my great admiration for the body of his work, and for his ageing dignity, but I do have to say something here. His development of female characters needs work. Lots of it. All of his females are either Madonnas or whores (and sometimes, Madonnas that are forced to be whores, through no real fault of their own.) I would dearly love to see a female character in his books who is not there for her sexuality, and who is not either a victim or a potential victim. With Burke’s Dave Robicheaux detective novels, progress was made with a lesbian cop character, and I was thrilled. But she came and then went, and his experience creating her hasn’t overflowed into his other work.

More than any one thing, I want to see Mr. Burke write a book—just one, seriously—where there is no sexual assault, no threat of sexual assault, and no memory of sexual assault. It’s getting old, sir. You surely have the ability to provide female characters with other motivations. I want to see it.

I was nearly annoyed enough to rate this book three stars, but I liked the ending a lot, and so the fourth star remains.

So that’s my two cents, because as much as I love his work in general, this is getting in the way. There will doubtless be some blowback from his other devoted fans once I publish this review; bring it.

A final note: because I was struggling with this book, I checked out the audio version from Seattle Bibliocommons. The voice actors that perform it are world class. However, because the story is so complex, bouncing back and forth in point of view and setting, it is hard to follow in audio alone. The best way to read this is with both the printed word, whether on paper or digitally, accompanied by the audio.

JLB has written a fine novel with realistic characters and a complex storyline. I LOVED IT.
Many thanks to Grove Atlantic and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion

Again and again, James Lee Burke churns out beautifully written novels that knock your socks off. This is a brilliant novel set during the Civil War. It is a gut-wrenching, yet incredible novel that pulls at every single emotion.

James Lee Burke is a fantastic writer and if you love his previous work then you'll love this one too. A stand alone story during the Civil War. A well written and moving story that will stay with you.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the copy.

Thank you to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So when I saw a book by James Lee Burke on NetGalley, I requested it because I love the Dave Robicheaux series. Unfortunately Flags on the Bayou just wasn't doing it for me. Although I love stories about this time period, I found this one to be a little too dark to be enjoyable. I really didn't connect with any of the characters and sometimes found the pace to be slow and a little jumpy.
The writing is beautiful but that just wasn't enough for me.

James Lee Burke is a fabulous writer. It happens I never read any of his Civil War Novels. It was right up my alley. Because it took me awhile to get to this feedback, I don't remember the names of the many characters, so will focus on the story and their roles. First, I'm not a Civil War buff in the sense that I know what was happening when and where. I am very interested though and Burke portrays the many viewpoints and conflicts in a small part of Louisiana late in the war. Some people have suggested this book is confusing, the characters "out there" and not quite believable. First, I love shifting viewpoints and Burke keeps us on track with the chapter titles so that we can follow very well. Second, he breathes credibility into these characters and humanizes them because none of us, if portrayed accurately from inside our brains would be quite believable. His gift, to describe people so you are in their heads and places and times so that you are present as you read is remarkable. I need to read more of his work than I have.

Among other things, the story follows maverick generals from each side of the conflict, wreaking havoc everywhere. Meanwhile, the officially constituted armies continue to fight the dying down war. The Union has control of the Mississippi, but the Confederates have not yet surrendered. We have a Confederate surgeon who thought he would never fight coming home with whatever they called PTSD then. An enslaved woman who he interacts with and develops feelings for. The woman is rented out to a neighbor by the surgeon's uncle. She must flee when she is accused of murdering this violent man. She is accompanied on her flight by an older abolitionist female schoolteacher. And by the ghost of her little boy, lost at Shiloh. The action is intense, violent and the characters clever and engaging even when evil. Eventually, everyone left standing ends up in a standoff with a weird but sort of satisfying ending. This is one of those books that would greatly benefit from one of those cast of character intros at the beginning, to allow us to follow the bouncing ball better. I often refer back to such cheat sheets too. But I highly recommend it if you understand that it is not an "easy, violence-free read." It's about war. It's about slavery. It's an incredible piece of work.

Flags on the Bayou by James Lee Burke

War brings death, destruction, corruption of morals and physical bodies. It brings out the best and worst in men and women who fight, endure, and live through it. This look back is dark and grim…but then…war is just that though some say there is honor and glory to be found…I doubt it.

Having read this author’s work in the past, I was eager to read this book without even knowing what the topic was. As I began to read, I thought it was beautifully written with descriptions of the south that painted a lovely picture…until the picture changed, and one dark ugly scene followed another one.

The story is told by introducing one character at a time who spends a chapter telling what is happening in his or her life till the next character steps onto the stage. Each character returns later in the story to tell a bit more.

Who were the characters:
* Wade Lufkin: pacifist at the beginning of the war working with the wounded and dying, learned he could kill, was riddled with guilt, carries wounds both mental and physical, a bit of a loose cannon but also seems to care deeply about some odd and discrepant issues and people
* Hannah Laveau: slave, wife without her husband, mother who lost her son, abused, has a gift or two or three, accused of murder, strong, survivor, attractive, intriguing to more than one character in the book
* Pierre Couchon: constable, carries out his duties according to the law as stated by those in power, lost part of his foot in the confederate army, born poor but well educated and wants more, a bit conflicted about more than one thing, grows a lot in this story
* Darla Babineaux: once enslaved, free woman, stays on the plantation, has big dreams, sees something in Pierre, keeps her eye on the prize no matter what it might require, taken in by a sweet talker more than once, survivor with a strong sense of justice
* Florence Milton: northerner, abolitionist, strong, pushes boundaries, conflicted about actions she has taken, educates and nurses others, does what needs to be done
* Colonel Carlton Hayes: rather off-putting, charismatic, previous choices has left him riddled with a disease that will eventually kill him, strong, ruthless, difficult to like or admire
* Endicott: heinous evil despicable creature

This story, in some ways, told of the horrors of war but did have me feeling it was more a dark fairy tale than a factual rendition of the past. The times were perhaps much as described but the characters in this story were bigger than what I would imagine was possible at the time and the ending the part that seemed too good to be true.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes and NO
Am I glad I read it? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Atlantic Monthly Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

“The sheriff, Jimmy, Lee Romain, is not a bad man but, unfortunately, a nincompoop. More unfortunately, he was elected to his office not in spite of the fact that he is a nincompoop, but because of it. In Louisiana, we elect unintelligent corrupt people to public office in order to keep them busy in distant cities. The worse they are, the farther we send them. Have you visited our national capitol?”

I have read a lot of books by this author because his use of the English language is so beautiful and expressive. He also creates compelling characters. This book did not disappoint. Set in Louisiana during the Civil War, the book brings together a lot of characters. Wade Lufkin was a medic with the Confederate army. He is haunted by guilt, participates in a duel with an unexpected outcome and is fascinated by Hannah Laveau who is owned by his uncle. Hannah is only interested in finding her young son. After she is accused of causing the death of an abusive man to whom she had been rented out, she goes on the run with the assistance of Florence Milton, an abolitionist from Massachusetts who runs a private school. Florence was my favorite character. I loved her sharp wit. There is also a constable who falls in love with a formerly enslaved woman. There are off-the-rails Confederate and Union officers (“ I have these fellows stripped and tied to tree trunks and have ant beds poured on their bare feet …”). There is compassion, love, vengeance and a lot of casual violence.

I recommend the audiobook because a full cast of narrators (including some of my favorites) is used to bring all of these characters to life. The author thinks that this is his best book. He might say that about each of his most recent books. I am not sure that I agree, but this was very good.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

It is 1863, in Southern Louisiana. There are elements of both the blue and gray armies throughout the state, as well as some of the “irregulars” striking fear in all sides. In what feels like the quintessential James Lee Burke novel, we are introduced to several people who will lead us through the events of these days, making obvious the foundation for the future of this country once this civil war finally ended.

We see the landed gentry, the Lufkins, who hold strong to the ideals of plantation life by which they were raised. Then there is their son Wade, a major and complex figure, who believes in emancipation but aspires to being a gentleman. There is Hannah Laveau, a slave, thought to possibly be a witch but believed to have power. She is still seeking the infant son she lost at Shiloh during the battle. Pierre Cauchon, a civilian, is tasked with enforcing the law for whoever is in power, be it gray or blue. Darla Babineaux is another slave and victim of much abuse. Florence Milton is something different, a white woman and abolitionist who moved to the south in service of her goals of helping free black people. The last person given a point of view is Colonel Carleton Hayes, a syphilitic, increasingly mad hellion commanding a band of irregular soldiers in mayhem. He rode with Quantrill’s raiders in Missouri and Kansas before riding East to Louisiana.

Through the words and eyes of all of these, we learn of how civilians view what is happening and the likely future of the Confederacy, how some judge their leaders-both political and military, and how demoralized life has become for all. There are good and bad on all sides. There is a certain numbness at times, it appears.

As is usual with a Burke novel, the writing is perfect. His descriptions of the land, swamps, weather, sunsets are evocative of religious experiences or other sacred moments. The violence is visceral but in service to the story and, at times, to the level of a character’s depravity. This feels real, with the confusion, changing loyalties, fears and hopes, love and hate, that would happen in a time of such high emotion.

This may now be my favorite book from Burke. I also appreciate that so much of the story told here takes place in the same area walked by Dave Robicheaux, whose books all carry the legacy of the Civil War, slavery and reconstruction, and whose ghosts Dave sometimes saw on the Bayou.

Very highly recommended.

Thanks to Grove Atlantic and NetGalley.

I really wanted to love this book but was left a bit disappointed. Being the first book I've read by JLB and hearing about his books for years, I was expecting something more as I love historical fiction. Don't get me wrong, he's obviously a master of words and a great storyteller. But the story for me was lackluster and didn't interest me. I would still give this author another go in the future because of his reputation, maybe this one just wasn't for me. My thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

If you love James Lee Burke, you'll love this one too. It's a stand alone story that takes place during the Civil War.. such a fantastic and deep book, it will definitely stay with you.

4.5⭐
Wow, is this his first historical fiction novel? I've read one book in the Dave Robicheaux series and have The Neon Rain on my list when I saw Flags on the Bayou for the 2023 new release. You betcha I need to get my hands on this novel and the FULL CAST audiobook when I saw January LaVoy and Ray Porter, two of my favorite narrators on the list.

Flags on the Bayou is an outstanding book set during the Civil War. It's 1863 in Louisiana and the author did a magnificent job transporting the reader to the scene. This book isn't about the war. It's about life in America's South during that time period and the turmoils of war on ordinary people on both sides.

The novel is told from multiple perspectives through characters who are complex and unique. The voices are compelling. Their stories are dark and heartwrenching. The violence of war, the good vs evil even within oneself.

I've seen other reviewers who read ALL his books who agreed that this is his masterpiece. You'll need to check it out!

James Lee Burke is a master of place and tone.
Set in 1863 in Louisiana in Bayou Teche you can feel the sights, sounds and smells of the War between the North and South in . Burke captures the survivalist in all of us and the piece of us that can be both dark when threatened.
Largely a character study about two women caught up in the war and the men who seek to subjugate them, Burke writes an exciting novel of escape and the senselessness of the Civil War.
A brilliant novel that demonstrates the meanness of human nature and the inner demons that seek to surface in a time of conflict.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book.

From the time I picked up In the Electric Mist With Confederate Dead, I have been a HUGE fan of James Lee Burke. AND Dave Robicheaux. I DEVOURED those books and couldn't wait for the next one to come out.

But this book, for the third book in a row, just didn't "do it" for me. I KNOW the Civil War was a very bad time in our history, but there must have been SOME kind of hope!! This is just unrelentingly DOWN. Not one character was worth my reading time.

The Civil War is ending, and the South has accepted its inevitable defeat, but the fighting goes on, and no one in Louisiana is sure of who is in charge. They are under the command of the Yankees, but they fear a ragtag army made up mostly of deserters from both sides. The Emancipation Proclamation has not yet reached their state, so the slaves are in a sort of limbo, not free, but not completely enslaved, although the slave hunters are still busy hunting down anyone who wants to flee.

This War was a tragedy, with no winners and many losers, but this book doesn't really add anything to the narrative.

James Lee Burke is a national treasure, and with his latest further cements that standing. You come for the rich characterization, the beautiful descriptions, the hard-hitting dialogue, labyrinthine plotting, and you leave with something that edifies your soul. Set in Louisiana during the Civil War, this tale touches on one of the darkest periods in our country's history, shining a light on the sins of slavery and the lessons we should have learned, but sadly, haven't. Did I say that JLB is a national treasure? Highly recommended.

OMG, this is a fabulous book! This is a stand-alone historical novel by the author of the Dave Robicheaux mystery series. It's really hard to write a description since there is so much going on. The author considers this to be his best book, and I agree. I read it in two days - my head hurt when I finished because there was so much to think about. Great characters. especially the three women in the story.. Wonderful writing, beautiful language - I had to re-read sections just because of the beauty of the words. Although it's set during the American Civil War, the themes are as old as history: good vs. evil, greed, revenge, jealousy, honor, guilt, redemption. There is even some dark humor. Loved the ending. Highly recommended - I will remember this book for a long time - if you are a fan of literary or historical fiction, read this book.