Often when I read novels like this, where the story unfolds from about a million different points of view via letters and newspaper articles and diary entries and the time jumps all over the place, I think to myself "I've put in a lot of reading time, I've paid my dues, I'm too old for these shenanigans." But just when I was about to give up (about 1/4 way in) it did really come together and I was hooked.

It takes place in the years right after the Civil War, about the convergence of the aforementioned million characters who all had different war experiences, on both sides, and many of them are Irish immigrants (the author is Irish, as if you couldn't tell by how wordy he is).

Overall, it's powerful writing and very sad (did I mention Irish?). And I was totally surprised by the surprise ending.

One thing I was not expecting, but maybe I should have given the themes and setting, is that there are a few episodes of graphic violence -- not tons, and graphic in a literary way (which seems worse), but still. Just so you know. ( )

It was hard to read - not quite Ulysses but tough nevertheless. The characters are very unsympathetic. Even though O'Keeffe is a hero to many he is hard to live with in private life and in a novel. The ending is redemptive though and makes the slog almost worth it! Not as good as "Star of the Sea". ( )

Redemption Falls was recommended by Library Thing because I read Cold Mountain. I was in the need of a read so I gave it a shot but my wife returned it to the library before I could read it. Luckily, it hadn't been checked out when I was finally ready to pick it up. At first I didn't know what to think I usually read non-fiction so I had to ease back into fiction. This was a strong recommendation because at times I kept thinking that this book really reads like a crappier version of Cold Mountain.

As I kept reading the presentation really drew me in the way the author had chapters of varying length and different writing styles like journal entries, songs, wanted posters, transcripts, and a nice wrap up in the epilogue. In spots it reads like a cheesy romance novel, and I had to work through those parts because its not normally my style, but I'm glad I made it through. The O'Keeffe character had strong appeal to me and really helped me get through some slow spots.

I also love this era and this novel does a good job of painting that 19th century picture. The dynamic of reconstruction in the south was also a great draw for me. The Irish general O'Keeffe Governor of a resentful southern town,Redemption Falls, was a great source of conflict all the way to O'Keeffe's death. O'Keeffe's relationship with a wild southern child veteran of the Civil War really appealed to my guilty pleasure of the macabre.

All in all this book was worth the cheesy romance and slow spots, but my issues with this book did indeed hurt its rating. Just because this book isn't my usual cup of tea its still a good book and I enjoyed it. It almost didn't happen but tried something new and I would like to thank Library Thing for helping make it happen. ( )

Le destin de plusieurs personnages au cœur des territoires sauvages américains à la fin de la guerre civile. Un récit violent, émouvant et très réaliste qui ne laisse pas indifférent malgré quelques longueurs.
Tout de même un peu déçue par rapport à l'Etoile des mers du même auteur même si toujours superbement écrit. ( )

The book is set in the days following the American civil war and it's main themes are the chaos, hurt and continuing hatreds that civil war creates. Admittedly it isn't the easiest book to get into.

The language in the first chapter is as dense and deliberately confusing as anything I've read; and once you're past that the story itself is given depth by letters, interviews and handbills. All of which makes for a book you need to concentrate on. Added to this O'Connor allows for different points of view and so different realisations of the same event which means the plot isn't a straight forward one.

But for me that was a real joy. This a novel that makes you think, allows your imagination a part in the process and encourages ambiguity. ( )