Evvy's Civil War

Sweetness and humor introduce this light and entertaining novel dealing with serious, thought-provoking issues of the Civil War. Evvy, a coming-of-age, fourteen-year-old, is the daughter of parents who, for all outward appearances, follow all of society's rules, yet disagree with many of its conventions. Consequently, Evvy struggles with the issue of the injustices of society, of slaves and women in particular. The novel opens with a comic glimpse of Evvy on her fourteenth birthday, as she dons, for the first time, the ridiculous fashions that she will have to endure everyday for the rest of her life. Struggles with a corset and balancing upswept hair are quickly left behind as Evvy is thrust into the adult world. She comes face-to-face with the real issues of women in society, the Underground Railroad, infidelity, love, and a country falling apart before her eyes. Evvy wants to make a difference in her world. Will a woman of the 1800's be able to change anything? Although the plot is presented using both the genteel, euphemistic English dialect of the Civil War Era and that of the more restrained Quakers, her novel is not overly cumbersome. The characters are vivid and well-defined, but there are too many of them. In spite of the family tree provided, the countless characters may be confusing for many young readers. Although the dynamic protagonist's struggles against societal conventions and herself are very different from the conflicts facing today's young reader, there is an automatic deconstruction that seems to take place in the mind of the reader, allowing us to see that Evvy is not that different from today's youth. The story is presented from the point of view of Evvy, in first person narration, allowing the reader to develop an emotional relationship with the protagonist. A more captivating and descriptive integral setting would greatly improve readability.

Maybe you're not old enough to read Gone With The Wind but love the movie. This book is for you. It has its own tale to tell but you do get that bite of Gone With The Wind in the story. It is a book that is more modern and contains more acceptable views on slavery and Southern culture than GWTW did and has a good message for young women. This is a girl who is concerned with the status of women in the South as well as the status of slaves. It provides some infomation that young girls want to know about and brings up cultural issues that people are curious about. I really liked this book and found it respectful of the characters and the life at that time, as well as the audience for the book.

It's the year 1860 in Virginia, and Evelyn (Evvy) Chamberlyn, is just turning fourteen years old. At fourteen, Evvy is considered a young lady, and young ladies are expected to behave in a certain way: proper. However, Evvy is unlike most young ladies, for she is educated, opinionated, and cares about world problems. While society expects all young ladies to speak, dress, and act like proper Southern belles, Evvy is determined to prove that young ladies can do more than that, and still be a true woman. Which is why Evvy is striving to prove that she can do anything that a man can do. If only the rest of the world would give her a chance to prove her worth. But when the Civil War breaks out, and the battle looms close to her family's plantation, and takes her Father along in the upsweep, Evvy discovers just how strong she truly is, for a long-hidden family secret is uncovered, and it is Evvy who must keep her world, and the world of her family, from falling apart.As a fan of historical fiction that relates very much to war, I was ecstatic to come across EVVY'S CIVIL WAR by Miriam Brenaman, while browsing through my local (...). Evvy is a very fun character, who is full of life. She is spirited, with a good head on her shoulders, while at the same time curious and mischevious, as well. The obstacles she must face and overcome throughout the story are a true treat for the reader, as they feel as if they are right there with Evvy, helping her to achieve her goal, which is to be accepted as being just as strong and brave as a man, and proving that women are capable of more than just sitting around looking pretty. A must have book for all interested in the Civil War, and the women's right movement.Erika Sorocco

my daughter is not generally a happy reader. she brought this book home when she had to do one of those dreaded book reports and enjoyed it so much she kept reading bits of it to me, the civil war buff. not only am i thrilled that she found a book that offered her so much entertainment, i'm doubly thrilled that she found a book so informative and attention-grabbing. instead of the usual grind where i insist she read two chapters a night and help her formulate a report, she read it in the course of a rainy weekend and wrote the report painlessly. painlessly for both of us. i'm reading evvy's civil war now and enjoying it as thoroughly as my daughter did. i've since had the opportunity to read the editorial reviews and find i'm not alone in admiring the accomplishments of a new name in historical fiction. both my daughter and i will be looking for more good books by miriam brenaman.

This is a fast read with plenty of action to pull it along, but Brenaman has clearly not relied on stereotypical figures like lesser Civil War novels frequently do. Instead, she has gone beyond the obvious feminine coquetry of stock Nineteenth Century characters to develop a real Evvy, who reflects many a young woman's disenchantment with her own time. Primary sources such as diaries of the time bear this out, and Brenaman has clearly done her homework. She reminds us that the Twentieth Century has no corner on thinking women and that sex was not just recently invented for contemporary pleasure.