Delirium of the Brave

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Perhaps the delirium here is that Harris, a podiatrist, thought he could write a novel, and that an editor at a prestigious publishing house like St. Martin's Press would publish it, after first being released by a small, private firm. It's not that it isn't a good story, but one of the first things they tell you even in the most elementary writing classes is to let the story tell itself. Here the narrator is so obtrusive with his editorial comments that it becomes a joke after awhile. Still, if you read reviews of this book, there are Sevannah natives who rave over it and others, like me, who wonder how it ever got in print. Perhaps if Savannah hadn't been one of my favorite cities I wouldn't have finished it at all, but after starting it I was determined to finish.

Rating:
Summary: True friendship, family and faith......
Review: Reading this book was a wonderful experience. On the historical side, the picture painted of Savannah was beautiful and enticing, full of the rich Southern and Irish-Catholic heritage that Savannah is so proud of. The families portrayed were full and in-depth studies of the individuals and their family heritage, good and bad. The novel begins with a unique bond between two good men, one a white Confederate soldier, the other a slave. The bond is friendship and trust. The novel traces family history in an intriguing plot involving serial murders, betrayal, greed and also love, brotherhood, trust and true faith. The families lives entertwine again and again through history. This novel was far different than what I had expected it to be about, but I can say I was not at all disappointed. I was very moved by the strong key role that the characters Faith in God and their relationship to the Catholic Faith played and how it was their strength and life saver in their many struggles with betrayal, disappointment, drugs, war and death. From the Civil War to Vietnam and beyond this was a wonderfully crafted novel. This is not the typical " Irish sad story", where when it's over you heave a big sigh and say Ahhhhhhhhhh! This is a wonderful tale of family, true love, and a rich Faith in a beautiful Southern setting.