In the Belly of the Anaconda
by C. Arthur Ellis Jr
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Pub Date Feb 02 2026 | Archive Date Feb 09 2026
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Description
In the Belly of the Anaconda is a sweeping historical fiction set during the American Civil War, primarily focusing on the occupation of New Orleans and the personal struggles of its citizens amid the conflict. Through the lens of protagonist Rachel Durand, the story explores themes of survival, identity, and transformation in a society in upheaval.
Rachel, a widow navigating the occupied city, struggles to support her family while facing moral dilemmas and the weight of her Southern heritage. As Union forces tighten their grip on New Orleans, she is drawn into a world of espionage, intrigue, and resistance.
The novel also explores the moral and social dilemmas its characters face, including the tension between Southern tradition and the harsh realities of war, the plight of enslaved people seeking freedom, subtle antisemitism, and the struggle of women to find agency in a male-dominated society.
Advance Praise
Original, historically authentic, especially well-written, impressively benefiting from the author's extensive research involving diaries, newspapers, and archival accounts, In the Belly of the Anaconda is a riveting, engaging, and thought-provoking read from start to finish. -- Midwest Book Review
Available Editions
| ISBN | 9798999763112 |
| PRICE | |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 4 members
Featured Reviews
Paige T, Reviewer
Smart, tense, and totally absorbing...
This story pulls you straight into Civil War New Orleans with danger, emotion, and enough tension to keep any history lover completely hooked.
Abigail L, Librarian
In the Belly of the Anaconda was an immersive Civil War read. The story follows Rachel, a widow in occupied New Orleans, who gets pulled into espionage and resistance while trying to survive the chaos around her. I loved how the book shows the war from the civilian side, especially the emotional struggles, moral conflicts, and the pressure on women during that time. It felt vivid and real, and I was completely wrapped up in Rachel’s journey and the constant sense of danger.
Sue E, Reviewer
WOW. If you want history that feels alive and not like a dusty textbook, grab this book right now. I was hooked watching Rachel go from grieving widow to someone caught up in spies, secrets, and serious danger in occupied New Orleans. The tension never lets up, and the emotional punches hit hard too. You feel the fear, the pressure, the impossible choices, and the courage it takes just to survive. This story has drama, heart, and edge all rolled into one and I could not turn the pages fast enough. ⭐📖
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