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Liked It1 of 1 members found this review helpful “Yes, this is a HUGE book. It takes a commitment to finish it but the rewards out-weigh the negatives. Though fictional, Banks has done a massive amount of research to make this book come together. Written from the perspective of John Brown's son, Owen, the novel gives the reader a birds eye...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“I recommend this book if you have an interest in the Civil War and don't mind long books. It's sort of a "true fiction" about abolitionist John Brown, as relayed by his son Owen.”
Tim Saunders wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“The plot slows in places,but the writing is always magnificent and the characterization extraordinary. Banks is one of those authors whose every word I intend to read.”
Kate Woodworth wrote this review Wednesday, February 6, 2013. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Phylllis E said: 5 stars
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die Shelf wrote this review Tuesday, January 31, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Excellent narrative about John Brown (the abolitionist) as told by his third son Owen.Historically accurate.”“wordy, MEBC”
Martha S wrote this review Tuesday, September 6, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Another wonderful book by Russell Banks, and great historical fiction to boot. He tells the story not only of John Brown's development as anti-slavery zealot, but the story of his large and wonderful family, his warm friendship with Frederick Douglass, and his complex and troubling relationship with his third son Owen, the story's narrator. At 753 pages, make sure you have time to read this one! It is well worth it.”
Nancy wrote this review Wednesday, August 3, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Historical Fiction-
Laurie S wrote this review Monday, November 21, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
John Brown who's fierce and violent attempts to free all the slaves is the focus of this story set on the eve of the Civil War. His life and the building of his utter contempt for slave owners and catchers is told through the eyes and participation in events by his son Owen. From the early beginnings of the "Underground Railroad" system,Banks builds on the tense situations, to murderous raids on those who opposed Brown to the heart pounding climax of the raid at Harper's Ferry. He also delves deep into the psyche of Owen Brown and his battle of conscience.Descriptions of the old South, the countrysides, the secret moving of Slaves and subsequent events,puts the reader right into the story.
Enthralling historical fiction.”
“This was a heavy read for me, so it took me a long time and I read several other shorter, easier books in the meantime. BUT, I did like this book. It gave me a new perspective on John Brown, having pretty much thought he was kind of a nut. Being a pacifist, it was interesting to read of a man who thought that God was clearly telling him to kill pro-slavers. I now have a clearer understanding of the political situation which led John Brown to act in the ways he did.”
Sarah B wrote this review Monday, June 13, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“This novel is a historical novel in sheep's clothing. What, you may ask, do I mean by that? The title of the novel, Cloudsplitter(1998, finalist for Pulitzer and PEN/Faulkner), suggests that this may well be a biographical novel depicting the life of John Brown, and to a certain extent it is just that; but it is primarily a historical novel about the the antebellum period in America focusing on the Abolitionist movement and John Brown's role in that movement. The insights into the different aspects of abolitionism provide fascinating reading. For example, in his portrayal of Brown in Cloudsplitter, Russell Banks shows how Brown is more interested in the mighty sword than the ringing word. After listening with his son, Owen, to one of Emerson's talks in Boston, Brown walks out on the Sage of Concord while the sophisticated crowd applauds wildly:
jwhenderson wrote this review Friday, September 10, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
"That man's truly a boob!" Father blurted. "For the life of me, I can't understand his fame. Unless the whole world is just as foolish as he is. Godless? He's not even rational! You'd think, given his godlessness, his sec-u-laahr-ity, he'd be at least rational," he said, and gave a sardonic laugh. The book is filled with such detail about abolitionism and this makes it a worthwhile read. However, I found that, in spite of its length, the novel ultimately disappointed in its limited portrayal of the most famous episode in Brown's life, the raid on Harper's Ferry. Thus the reader who picks up Cloudsplitter expecting all the details of the life of the epynomous historical figure may be, as I was, somewhat disappointed by the end of the book.”
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“Too long and still brilliant.”
Tony J wrote this review Monday, June 7, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
0 of 1 members found this review helpful“Excellent narrative about John Brown (the abolitionist) as told by his third son Owen.Historically accurate.”
Phylllis E wrote this review Saturday, January 30, 2010. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
