Flags on the Bayou

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From American master James Lee Burke comes a gripping novel set in Civil War-era Louisiana, where a diverse cast of characters—enslaved and free women, plantation gentry, and weary soldiers—navigate a tumultuous landscape. In the fall of 1863, the Union army controls the Mississippi River, occupying much of Louisiana, while the Confederate army faces disarray. Enslaved individuals begin to glimpse freedom amidst the chaos. Hannah Laveau, a formerly enslaved woman on the Lufkin plantation, is accused of murder and goes on the run with Florence Milton, an abolitionist schoolteacher, evading the local constable and slave catchers. Meanwhile, Wade Lufkin, a surgeon haunted by his battlefield experiences, returns to his uncle’s plantation to recuperate and becomes captivated by Hannah. The narrative unfolds with action-packed events, including a disastrous duel, a brutal encounter with a Union commander, and skirmishes with Confederate irregulars led by a deranged colonel. Burke’s evocative prose brings to life the rich Louisiana landscape, from the Mississippi River sunsets to New Orleans’ saloons and the bayou’s depths. This powerful story explores themes of war, class divisions, and enduring love, illuminating a past that resonates with the present. Flags on the Bayou is a deeply moving tale of resilience amid tragedy.