Prisoners of Twilight

This was an interesting book, in that it actually addressed the presents of homosexuality in the military during the Civil War. There have been some quite recent studies of this, but it certainly was not at the forefront when this novel was written. Overall, this is a very depressing read. The author falls into the old "war ain't worth it" thing, as if duh, we don't know that already, but he is a good story teller and certainly gives us points to ponder here. Some of the author's symbolism is rather difficult to follow, but this is a rather minor problem. All in all, as I said, this is an interesting read. I probably would not actually buy it, but it is well worth checking out from the library.

This is one of the more amazing books I have read. It's the story of two groups of Confederate soldiers just before the surrender in April, 1865 and how they eventually meet, but that synopsis doesn't really explain what it's about. I suppose it's really about war and its dehumanizing and maddening effects. Deliberately transgressive, this book will offend many, but its sexual and violent themes are there for a reason and not simply to be shocking. Robertson writes in a tumble of words, at his best resembling McCarthy, occasionally slipping over into the purple. Some of the characters engage one's sympathies and some inspire disgust, but they are all quite well drawn with believable internal voices. There are a few minor historical errors but nothing really damaging. It will come as no surprise that Prisoners of Twilight does not have a happy ending (after finishing it I stared blankly into space for ten minutes and then picked up a first-person account of the war on the grounds that it was much more cheerful), but it is a significant novel and very much worth reading.