Doctorow’s description of the long torturous American civil war march with thousands of Union soldiers, freed negroes, Reb prisoners and homeless civilians, following Sherman, is tiresomely moving. The picture of a mass of humanity, falling in love, killing each other, adapting to any situation just to survive is quite frightening. The book reveals both the craziness of war and that war sends people crazy.
I loved the character of Pearl who is a survivor. She is a “ white” negro who is determined to live a life she chooses . Emily, the confederate judge’s daughter just hooks up with the union army medical corps because she has no where to go. The army doctor Wrede, doesn’t care what side his workers come from as long as they’re willing to clean up the blood and the severed limbs and he can try his experimental surgery without interference. Arly adapts to the life of a Union or Reb soldier depending the situation. He just wants to save himself and his friend Will. When his friend dies he decides to take a crazy stand that may finally give him some peace.. I was very pleased when the Union finally won the war, because I didn’t think I could have fought another battle.
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