Flags On The Bayou Review

After reading “Flags on the Bayou,” I feel this is a profound literary work that strongly explores human aspects and tragedies in the context of war. The six characters, each with distinct personalities, clearly represent different facets of humanity: harming others, feeling betrayed, being overwhelmed by the desire for revenge, and standing out as individuals who seek to protect themselves and peace. By the time I reached the last page, I found myself asking, “If one day I had to face a great personal benefit that affected others’ interests, what would I do?”

Flags On The Bayou Review

“Flags on the Bayou” by James Lee Burke opens amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, portraying the chaos and moral complexities of the time. The Union Army dominates the Mississippi River and much of Louisiana, with the Confederate Army struggling and rogue troops causing widespread destruction. Slaves aspire to freedom while owners fear losing their ‘property’, creating an atmosphere rife with death and devastation.

The narrative centers on six main characters:

1. Wade Lufkin: A former Confederate soldier who served with the Eighth Louisiana Infantry, initially promised a role as a surgeon’s assistant to avoid combat. He reflects on the horrors he witnessed at battles such as Manassas and Sharpsburg. Haunted by guilt over killing a Union soldier during a tense encounter, Lufkin is now recuperating on his uncle’s plantation, grappling with his conscience.
2. Pierre Cauchon: The constable responsible for handling legal issues related to slaves in New Iberia. He faces humiliation and a deep-seated fury stemming from past battles and personal affronts, especially after a confrontation at the Lady of the Lake Plantation. His anger is exacerbated by memories of his battalion’s decimation at Shiloh due to a fellow officer’s absence.
3. Hannah Laveau: An enslaved woman accused of being a voodoo priestess and instigating rebellion. After suffering brutal assault by plantation owner Minos Suarez, she dreams of vengeance and reuniting with her son, who was lost during the Battle of Shiloh. Her determination leads to significant confrontations, including a murder charge.
4. Florence Milton: A Massachusetts abolitionist running a private school in New Iberia. She despises local authorities and cleverly manipulates Sheriff Romain to visit and eventually help Hannah Laveau escape from jail. Her actions set off a chain of events leading to a dramatic chase and resistance against oppressive forces.
5. Colonel Carleton Hayes: A renegade Confederate leader whose actions embody the brutal and anarchic spirit of the war. His troop’s heinous acts, including murder and desecration, reflect his moral decay and the desperate measures taken by the South.
6. Darla Babineaux: A freed slave living on the Suarez plantation who forms a complex relationship with Pierre Cauchon. Her knowledge of hidden treasure and her past experiences with abuse add layers to her character, as she seeks protection and justice in a tumultuous environment.

The story culminates in a climactic resolution marked by extensive violence and upheaval, exploring the depths of human depravity during wartime. Burke’s vivid prose brings the Louisiana bayous and the grim realities of war to life, capturing the reader’s imagination with detailed descriptions and evocative imagery. From the gruesome depiction of a decomposed soldier’s body to the palpable tension of character interactions, Burke masterfully conveys the visceral experience of the Civil War’s impact on individuals and communities.

“Flags on the Bayou” is lauded by Burke as his best work, and while it’s difficult to declare definitively, the novel’s intricate characters and immersive storytelling certainly reinforce his reputation as a distinguished author. Special thanks to Netgalley, James Lee Burke, and Grove Atlantic for providing an advance copy of this compelling manuscript.